Hong Alyce Van, 41, pleaded guilty Dec. 22 to a misdemeanor. In the plea bargain with prosecutors, felony charges of perjury, offering a false or forged document to be filed, registered or record, and not being entitled to vote at an election were dropped.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Steve McGreevy allowed Van to complete the community service in Germany by Dec. 28 of next year, according to court records.

Van could not be immediately reached on Monday, Dec. 29, for comment.

Van was elected in 2020 to represent the city of Stanton’s District 2. She lost her reelection bid in 2024 to current Councilmember Victor Barrios.

Prosecutors alleged that less than a year after she was elected, she bought a home in the city’s District 4 and lived there while letting relatives reside in her other home in District 2.

Van also signed paperwork to run for re-election to District 2 despite living in District 4, prosecutors said. And they allege she did not change her voter registration to reflect her new address and then cast a ballot.

Van has lived in Stanton since she was 2, according to a biography previously published on the Stanton city website. It said she was born in a refugee camp in Hong Kong and is the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants who moved to the United States.

She was first appointed to the City Council in 2019.

Staff Writer Victoria Le contributed to this report.

Well, here are our suggestions for things you can do that won’t break the bank — both during the day and at night. (But if the event is outdoors, you’d better make sure it’s not canceled, since at this writing, rain was forecast.)

Anaheim: So sorry. The countdown to 2026 at the STC GardenWalk has been canceled due to a forecast of inclement weather. anaheimgardenwalk.com/event/33593-countdownto2026

Brea: Have fun counting down at the “Noon Year’s Eve” party at the Brea library, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All ages. Enjoy a craft, snacks and a balloon drop. 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. ocpl.libcal.com/event/16062370

Cypress: Celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve” early with Magician Dave Skale at the Cypress library. His family-friendly performance is at 11 a.m. and then stay for the balloon drop at noon. 5331 Orange Ave. Cypress. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15787730

Garden Grove: Celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve” early and enjoy a special storytime, followed by a fun craft at the Chapman branch of the Garden Grove library. Then count down together and ring in the “noon” year with a balloon drop at 12 p.m.  9182 Chapman Ave. Garden Grove. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15843994

Ladera Ranch: Head over to the family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” with other families at the Ladera Ranch branch library. 11:30-12:30. Crafts, fun and a balloon drop at noon. 29551 Sienna Parkway, Ladera Ranch. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15792817

Lake Forest: Celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve” early with other families at the El Toro branch library. 11:30-12:30. Crafts, fun and a balloon drop at noon. 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15711617

Long Beach: Enjoy this family “Noon Year” celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 2nd & PCH mall. There will be games, fun and giveaways at their outdoor Kids Club (weather permitting.) Check in between 10-11:15 a.m. and enjoy crafts, face painting, bingo and a dance party before a countdown to “noon year” with bubbles. Mickey and Minnie are rumored to be there. 6400 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach. 2ndandpch.com/portfolio/kids-club-noon-year-bubble-show-party/

Long Beach: Head over to Shoreline Village for a free dance party, followed by fireworks at midnight. DJ Rome is scheduled to play dance music from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. There’s a self-serve photo booth from 9 p.m. to midnight near Louisiana Charlies. Get there early, rideshare or expect a hunt for nearby parking. And then enjoy the fireworks show near the Queen Mary. 429 Shoreline Village Drive. facebook.com/events/830685192682976

Long Beach: The Long Beach Public Library is holding a “Noon New Year’s Eve Party” at several locations. Enjoy a dance party, crafts, balloon drop at noon and more.  a fun craft, a dance party and more. Hours vary but are generally from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.. Check out these locations: Billie Jean King Main Library. 200 W. Broadway; Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, 1401 E. Anaheim St.; Harte Neighborhood Library, 1595 W. Willow St. longbeach.gov/library/events/

Los Alamitos/Rossmoor. Celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve” with other families at the Los Alamitos branch library. 11:30-12:30. Crafts, fun and a balloon drop at noon. 12700 Montecito, Seal Beach  ocpl.libcal.com/event/15803407

Los Angeles: Organizers are promising a huge event at Gloria Molina Grand Park downtown from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. including two stages with live music, a spectacular City Hall light show and interactive art installations. Live performances by Ruby Ibarra, Ceci Bastida, DJ Wayne Williams, Bardo and more. Food trucks will be there. Parking is $10 or ride the Metro. Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 North Grand Ave. Los Angeles. RSVPs are not mandatory but requested at grandparkla.org/nyela

Los Angeles: Don’t want to drink? Enjoy this party sponsored by Artists In Recovery from 7-11:59 p.m. It includes an open AA meeting (all welcome to attend), live music, games, food and drinks. Even a guitar raffle. At the C.A.P.O. center, 7946 W 3rd St. Los Angeles.

Marina del Rey: Enjoy the countdown at this Glow Party at Burton Chace park, including fireworks at midnight (Organizers say rain or shine.) Plans include music, magic shows, face painting, stilt walkers, fairies, robots, a giant LED screen showing the ball drop from Times Square and more. Two fireworks shows, at 8:50 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. shot from the south jetty. The event is free but parking is paid. Plan to get there early because of traffic and parking. 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey. Check the website for parking locations. beaches.lacounty.gov/nye2025/

Redlands: This town was built on citrus, so head out for the annual NYE Orange Drop from 6 to 9 p.m. and celebrate the East Coast countdown. The countdown starts at 8:45 p.m. Music, live performances, kid zone, confetti cannons, food vendors and more. On Citrus Avenue between 6th and 8th streets. redlandschamber.org/orangedrop/

Rowland Heights: The countdown to 2026 starts at 5 p.m. at the STC Rowland Legacy (formerly the Rowland Ranch Plaza). Festivies include a dance party with live music and DJs, a Happy Market with food and shopping, giveaways and more.  There’s a community countdown at midnight. The evening runs until 1 a.m. STC Rowland Legacy, 18991 Colima Road, Rowland Heights. Reserve a free ticket online: eventbrite.com/e/ocla-countdown-to-2026-stc-rowland-legacy-tickets-1963611325333

San Juan Capistrano: Have a family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” party with other families at the library. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.. Crafts, fun and a balloon drop at noon. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15784435

Seal Beach: Enjoy “Noon Year’s Eve” eat the Seal Beach branch library. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dancing, crafts, fun and a balloon drop at noon. 707 Electric Ave. Seal Beach. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15586083

Stanton: Celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve” eat the Stanton branch library. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Crafts, snacks, fun and a balloon drop at noon.7850 Katella Ave. Stanton ocpl.libcal.com/event/15737660

Temecula: Yes, it’s time for the annual Temecula Grape Drop festivities, from 6 to 10 p.m. It’s family friendly with an East Coast countdown at 9 p.m. and a drone show. Live entertainment, kid activities, food vendors and more. Civic Center, 41000 Main St., Temecula temeculaca.gov/1425/Holiday-Fun

Tustin: Start the new year off at the Tustin library …. at noon! Enjoy a balloon drop and fun crafts at the “Noon Year Eve” celebration from 11 a.m. to noon. 345 E. Main St., Tustin. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15881080

Westminster: Start early by celebrating “Noon Year’s Eve” early at the Westminster branch library. This is family friendly. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Crafts, fun and a balloon drop at noon. 8180 13th St. Westminster. ocpl.libcal.com/event/15798822

UPDATE: An earlier version of this story listed First Night in Fullerton, but organizers say the event has been canceled because of safety concerns about inclement weather.

Below is a list of some bakeries and markets in Orange County where you can get your hands on pan de muerto for the holiday, which falls on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2. Keep in mind that many of these spots will either sell out or carry their holiday bread closer to Día de Muertos.

Anaheim: Brizuela’s Bakery (1721 W. Katella Ave.), La Reina Market (508 N. East St.), Max’s Baked Goods (3414 W. Ball Road), Northgate Market (929 S. Euclid St.), Panadería La Pequena (888 W. Lincoln Ave.), Panadería Los Volcanes (2659 W. Lincoln Ave.)

Buena Park: Panadería Indio (8204 Commonwealth Ave.), Northgate Market (1120 S. Bristol St.)

Costa Mesa: La Espiga De Oro (805 W. 19th St.), Mercado González (2300 Harbor Blvd.), Panificadora Bakery (2200 Harbor Blvd.)

Dana Point: Buena Vista Market (34065 La Plaza)

Fullerton: Cafe Cultura (907 W. Orangethorpe Ave.), El Trigal Dorado (2230 W. Orangethorpe Ave.), Panadería y Pasteleria (2230 W. Orangethorpe Ave.)

Garden Grove: Estrella De Mexicali (12859 Chapman Ave.), Mi Perlita Bakery (12111 Garden Grove Blvd.)

Huntington Beach: Chelos Panadería (18029 Beach Blvd.)

La Habra: La Central Bakery (764 W. La Habra Blvd.), My Bakery (350 N. Harbor Blvd), Northgate Market (1305 W. Whittier Blvd.), Panadería y Pasteleria la Mexicana (1951 E. La Habra Blvd.)

Laguna Niguel: Mucho Mucho Market (28985 Golden Lantern)

Lake Forest: Efren’s Bakery (24601 Raymond Way, #7), El Molino de Oro (23532 El Toro Road)

Orange: El Molino De Oro (728 N. Tustin St.), La Espiga De Oro (1177 N Tustin St), La Reina Market (909 N. Tustin St.),

Placentia: Mil Hojas (642 W. Chapman Ave.)

San Juan Capistrano: El Molino De Oro (31886 Plaza Drive), Mercado El Rey (32252 Camino Capistrano) and El Campeon Bakery (31921 Camino Capistrano)

Santa Ana: Cafe Cultura (324 W. Fourth St.), Chelo’s Bakery (5403 W 1st St.), El Gallo Giro (1442 S. Bristol St.), El Metate Panadería (1338 W. First St.), El Panadero (1818 S. Standard Ave.), La Rancherita Bakery (2709 Westminster Ave.), Northgate Market (230 N. Harbor Blvd., 1120 S. Bristol St., 1010 South Main St., 2603 Westminster Ave.), Panadería Paloza (1701 E. McFadden Ave.), Rosas Pasteleria y Panaderia (1009 S. Fairview St.), Tlaxcala Bakery Panadería (1208 S. Standard Ave.)

Stanton: Leobardo’s Bakery (11841 Beach Blvd.), Panadería El Cortez (7506 Cerritos Ave.)

“You can take out a loan, right? You can borrow the money against something that you might own,” Stanton Mayor David Shawver said in a recent interview. “I think probably one of the simplest ways would be to come in with a payment plan, which the city has done in the past, to where they make it affordable over a period of time so that the person can pay it.”

Hearings at which people can protest the fines have already begun, and the next one is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Stanton City Hall. The administrative hearings are not open to the public, according to the city’s Public Safety Director, Jim Wren.

Stanton uses Turbo Data Systems to process citations, and its certified administrative hearing officers conduct the hearings, he said.

According to city records, the majority of citations are in the tens of thousands of dollars range, but three are upwards of $100,000 – with the costliest fine at $300,000.

Property owners are responsible for the citation regardless of whether they were on the property at the time of the alleged illegal fireworks activity.

From July 1 to July 4 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. Stanton residents are allowed to spark up safe and sane fireworks on residential properties, according to Shawver. But, he said, “Anything that explodes or leaves the ground is usually illegal.”

Back in April, Stanton’s city council approved a social host ordinance, meaning that property owners are legally responsible for any illegal fireworks activity that occurs on their property.

Shawver said the city warned residents three months in advance of the Fourth of July holiday restrictions by posting on social media, mailing property owners, and posting flyers in areas with historically high concentrations of illegal firework activity.

“I truly believe that we got the attention of everybody in our community and know that we’re serious about protecting human life, the quality of life and to make the 4th of July an enjoyable safe activity,” he said.

For decades, large explosive fireworks have filled Stanton’s sky around the Fourth of July. Before this year’s drone program, enforcement relied on Orange County sheriff’s deputies witnessing a person lighting an illegal firework before a citation could be issued, according to OCSD spokesperson Sgt Gerard McCann.

Stanton’s 3.1 square miles is home to roughly 38,000 people with a median household income of about $81,000, according to Census data, and a roughly 60% employment rate. About 50% of Stanton’s residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. In Orange County, a household income of roughly $95,000 or less is considered low income, according to a state housing report.

Blocks away from city hall, Stanton resident Jose Fernandez received the $300,000 citation. He said he filed an appeal with the city and added that he didn’t have anything to do with illegal fireworks activity. He declined to discuss the topic further.

Two of Fernandez’s neighbors also received illegal fireworks citations: one for $1,000 and the other for $55,000.

Down the street, 57-year-old Fermin Ayala said he welcomes the Fourth of July fireworks.

“It’s like having this Disneyland next to your door,” he said. “This block is always (lit with) fireworks like left and right. This corner, that corner, always a bunch of fireworks. So you don’t have to spend any money, you just get out, sit down and enjoy the fireworks.”

While some Stanton residents revel in loud and large fireworks illuminating the sky, others are left shaken and injured.

Lin Landgren, the vice president of Stanton’s Hynes Estates Neighborhood Association, has called the equestrian community home for over six decades. She said safe and sane fireworks had been a regular part of holiday celebrations in Stanton for decades, but over the last five years she noticed illegal fireworks activity was becoming “out of control.”

This year, illegal fireworks activity led to two horse injuries, Landgren said.

“They were bucking and throwing shoes. Two horses thrashed so bad that they were taken to the hospital the following day,” she said.

Though she wasn’t in Stanton for this year’s Fourth of July holiday, she heard from neighbors about the illegal fireworks. “Everybody is really upset about the amount of fireworks going off in our neighborhood. We’d like to be able to curb that,” Landren said.

She is happy about Stanton’s new drone program but thinks some of the fines are excessive.

Illegal fireworks can lead to serious injuries and death. In nearby Buena Park, an 8-year-old girl died from a fireworks explosion on the Fourth of July.

Some other Southern California cities have responded to illegal fireworks activity by issuing citations during the Fourth of July, but the fines don’t compare to Stanton’s.

In nearby Brea, the Fourth of July drone program led to the city issuing one citation for $500, according to spokesperson Chris Haddad.

While neighboring Anaheim received roughly 400 calls related to fireworks activity, the city issued zero illegal fireworks citations on the Fourth of July, according to spokesperson Esther Kwon. There, illegal fireworks fines begin at $1,000 for the first offense.

Shawver said cities from up and down the state have contacted his office to learn more about the drone program in Stanton, which he said he’s confident the city will carry out again next year.

While he said the main goal of the program was to keep the people and animals of Stanton safe, accountability is another factor.

“I think we made true believers out of other people with the citations. … you know, when you threaten somebody and you don’t follow it through, then there’s no accountability. If you don’t have accountability, then what’s the point of doing it? And so I think accountability is probably the most important part of this program,” Shawver said.

“I think human life is probably the most important consideration of what we did or why we (did) it.”

OC resident hit with $300K fine for illegal fireworks in July 4 crackdown

Stanton drones reportedly captured $929,000 worth of illegal firework violations, involving 18 citations between July 2 and July 5, according to Stanton City Manager Hannah Shin-Heydorn. The city rolled out a Fourth of July drone program this year to catch and fine those engaging in illegal firework activity following the passage of a spring ordinance.

At one property, 300 illegal fireworks allegedly were discharged between 6:52 p.m. and 10:10 p.m. on July 4, per a now-deleted photo posted on Reddit of the costly citation, with each violation carrying a $1,000 fine. The $300,000 citation is the largest illegal firework citation by far, Shin-Heydorn said.

The Southern California News Group requested a copy of the citation that would include details of the $300,000 citation, and where exactly it occurred and who was involved. But Stanton officials said they could not publicly release the document, claiming it first needs to be reviewed by a lawyer and necessary redactions must be made.

Verifying each captured instance of illegal firework activity is a lengthy process, said Shin-Heydorn, requiring minute-by-minute review. Citations are later mailed to the property owner, under the city’s social host ordinance, and owners have the option to appeal.

“This really wasn’t about the citation amount,” Shin-Heydorn said. “The council for many, many years has been concerned about the use of illegal fireworks. And I think we’ve seen so many unnecessarily bad things happen in communities.”

In neighboring Buena Park, eight-year-old Jasmine Nguyen of Anaheim was killed by an illegal firework explosion on the Fourth of July.

“We’re really trying to send across a message about how serious of an issue this is, right? I mean, yes, on the one hand, it sounds like a large number, but when you read our ordinance and you realize they had to discharge, sell, or store 300 individual illegal fireworks in a community that is highly dense with properties right next to each other and crowds in the street and you realize what they were willing to risk, I think that helps put into perspective,” Shin-Heydorn said.

So, what’s going to happen with all that citation money? Under a state health code, 65% of the collected money will go to the State Fire Marshal. The rest, Shin-Heydorn said, will go to the city’s general fund to offset the costs associated with the drone program.

Stanton officials hope the program, and resulting citations, deter residents from sparking up illegal fireworks going forward.

“We have senior apartments, we have people with post-war syndrome, we also have animals. … So, over the years, it’s been very disturbing for the quality of life for everyone,” said Stanton Mayor David Shawver.

Stanton’s illegal firework drone deterrence program is planned to continue into next year.

“In an ideal world, nobody’s using illegal fireworks and no citations have to be issued in the future,” Shin-Heydorn said.

The eponymous Khoshbin Co. paid $18.9 million for the 109,644-square-foot office complex at 2100-2200 W. Orangewood Ave., just east of Angel Stadium. The sale closed Aug. 22.

CBRE represented the seller, an LLC based in Boston, in the transaction.

The buildings sit on 4.46 acres and were 84% leased at the time Khoshbin bought it, CBRE said. The seller spent $3.3. million on recent capital improvements, upgrading the HVAC systems, roofing, landscaping, and interior common areas.

“Orangewood Corporate Plaza offers stable cash flow, strong leasing momentum and a strategic location near some of Orange County’s most dynamic growth corridors,” said DeLorenzo. “The buyer recognized the long-term value in a well-performing office campus with upside potential in a market that continues to attract investment.”

Khoshbin, an Iranian native who immigrated to the U.S. when he was 14, got into real estate by age 23. Today, the Newport Coast resident has a large social media presence, sharing his life of Bugattis, parties and family events with 3.3 million followers on his “Never Give Up” Instagram page.

In 2021, he bought the shuttered Trinity Broadcasting Network campus in Costa Mesa for $22 million. The city is now considering a proposal that would demolish the TBN campus and replace it with a 142-unit housing development by Meritage Homes.

Soundcoat shifting to Santa Ana from Irvine

The Soundcoat Co. signed a $7 million lease for 2,775 square feet in Centerpoint Harbor in Santa Ana, according to Voit Real Estate.

The landlord, Centerpoint in Illinois, was represented by CBRE.

New York-based Soundcoat is moving its manufacturing hub to 2721 S. Harbor Blvd. from Armstrong Avenue Irvine. The company works in acoustic engineering, testing services, and thermal-acoustic materials. The move will add nearly 21,000 square feet to its production hub.

“This relocation is significant for us,” Chip Morrow, general manager at Soundcoat, said in a statement. “Some of the most advanced markets we serve — particularly on the West Coast — hold exceptionally high standards. Expanding our space allows us not only to keep pace with this growth but also to enhance our capabilities so we can continue meeting and exceeding those expectations for both existing and new customers.”

Hyundai expands office space with Irvine lease

Hyundai Motor Co. in late July signed a “long-term” lease for all five floors of 2300 Main in Irvine, according to Manova Partners.

Financial terms of the lease were not provided. The building previously was leased by Optum’s specialty infusion pharmacy.

The Munich, Germany-based Manova bought the 133,745-square-foot building at 3300 Main St. in 2018 for $46.6 million, according to records provided by PropertyShark.

David Dowd and Jennifer Whittington at CBRE represented Manova in the lease.

The brokerage’s latest report on office space in Orange County shows a mixed picture for property owners.

New leasing in the year’s second quarter increased 23% quarter-over-quarter with 279 contracts signed for 1.8 million square feet. That was up from 226 transactions for 1.2 million square feet in the first quarter. Net absorption (the change in occupied space) remained negative but improved to 203,000 square feet from 415,000 square feet in Q1.

Hyundai Motor America is based in Fountain Valley.

9 units in Fullerton fetch $2.8 million

A nine-unit apartment complex in Fullerton traded hands Aug. 22 for $2.8 million or $311,111 per unit, according to Marcus & Millichap.

The buildings at 1531-1551 South Brookhurst Road includes four three-bedroom, two-bathroom units and five two-bedroom, two-bathroom units in 7,864 square feet.

“This property hit the market for the first time in 28 years,” said Greg Bassirpou, a managing director at the brokerage. He represented the buyer, who plans to make “extensive interior and exterior renovations.”

Industrial property in Stanton snags $4.7M

An industrial property at 7562 Orangewood Ave. in Stanton sold Aug. 11 for $4.7 million, according to Lee & Associates in Orange.

The buyer and seller of the 13,680-square-foot building were identified by the brokerage as Orangewood HN TN LLC and Francios O. Laib Trust, respectively.

“The sale of this property reflects the enduring demand for well-located industrial facilities in Orange County. Industrial remains one of the most resilient and competitive sectors in commercial real estate,” said Jeff Gahagan at Lee & Associates.

The real estate roundup is compiled from news releases and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos via email to  sgowen@scng.com . Please allow at least a week for publication. All items are subject to editing for clarity and length.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the shooting just before 2 p.m. Saturday in the 11000 block of Court Street, between Beach Boulevard and Rancho Alamitos High School, according to Sgt. Gerard McCann.

Deputies found 15-year-old Samuel Louie Vidal of San Bernardino and another boy about 13 to 14 years old and authorities rushed them both to a hospital, McCann said. Vidal was pronounced dead and the other boy was in critical condition, he added.

Investigators were not sure what led to the shooting but it is an area plagued with gang activity, McCann said.

Anyone with helpful information for investigators was asked to call 714-647-7000. Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at 855-TIP-OCCS or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers

At around 8:30 p.m. on June 22, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call regarding a vehicle versus pedestrian collision near the intersection of Katella Avenue and Date Street, according to a sheriff’s news release. The 66-year-old man who was hit has been identified as Jeffrey DeLaRosa. He later died.

The driver who hit and killed DeLaRosa fled the scene and is still at large. Authorities described his vehicle as a white 2007 Nissan Rogue with damage on the front end. The car was last seen headed eastbound on Katella Avenue nearing Beach Boulevard.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public for help locating the suspect vehicle and the driver. Information can be directed to MAIT at (949) 425-1860 or anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or www.ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers

The branch is back in circulation, reopening on Tuesday morning, June 3, ready to serve members of the Stanton community and anyone with an OC Public Libraries card.

In addition to new lighting, enhanced automation and fresh ventilation systems, the library — which is part of the OC Public Libraries System — was reorganized to include more shelving space for books and expanded areas for children. It had been closed since October.

“We really want to encourage parents to come bring their kids,” county librarian Julie Quillman said. “We work really hard to promote early literacy, but in a super fun way.”

In addition to bringing in more books and improving the children’s area, the Stanton branch now features a “Library of Things,” where patrons can check out games, puzzles, sewing machines, craft supplies and even a mini projector.

“Libraries are the heart of a community,” said Caitlin Fouratt, a frequent visitor to the Stanton Library. “They are a place where people can come and get not just books anymore, but things, activities and games.”

Fouratt moved to Stanton two years ago with her children, Magda and Arlo.

With the busyness of their move and the lack of air conditioning in their new home, the three often visited the library to escape the heat and spend some time reading. When the library closed, Fouratt and her children relied on school libraries to get their books.

“We used to come every couple of weeks to swap out our books,” Fouratt said. “And then it closed, and we’ve been sort of library-less since, so we’re really excited that it’s open again.”

The library held a reopening ceremony on Tuesday, right outside its doors facing Cedar Street and Stanton City Hall.

County Supervisor Doug Chaffee presented a book, “How to Hug a Porcupine” by Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, to be donated to the library’s shelves. He also highlighted the importance of community libraries in a digital world.

“A library is more than just a building; it’s a central community resource that provides equitable access to information, technology, education and a safe place for all,” Chaffee said.

Other city officials were present at the ceremony, including Library Advisory Board delegate John Warren and Stanton Councilmember Gary Taylor. Their remarks were followed by a ribbon cutting, and attendees were then welcomed into the library.

The Stanton branch is one of five undergoing renovations in the OC Public Library system, alongside the Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Garden Grove and La Habra branches. Their renovations will be similar to Stanton’s, including more energy-efficient systems and similar color schemes.

Improvements are partly funded by the California State Library Building Forward Grant, a state-funded grant aimed at addressing maintenance needs and improving energy efficiency amongst California’s public libraries. Stanton was awarded funding from the grant in its first round in 2022 to update its building systems.

And while the recent round of renovations focused on critical maintenance, the branch also took the opportunity to address patrons’ feedback, including improving its layout and giving the library a fresh coat of paint.

“We would never have chosen to have this many closed at once because we know how important they are to the community,” Quillman said. “But because we got that grant, we did have to close them all at once to make that deadline.”

The Stanton branch was able to open sooner than the others due to the previous work that had been done in 2020.

Dana Point is expected to reopen at the end of this summer, and Aliso Viejo is expected next in the early fall.

The Stanton branch is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Joel Brandon Martinez was convicted Feb. 15, 2024, of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a gun by a felon, all felonies. Jurors also found true a sentencing enhancement for discharge of a gun causing death.

Co-defendant Amy Lynn Black was sentenced in April to 15 years to life in prison for her part in the killing.

Co-defendants Gilbert Timothy Ramirez and Brandon Garet Iseminger accepted plea deals. Ramirez was sentenced in March 2023 to 10 years and four months in prison while Iseminger was sentenced to six years, or time served in jail awaiting trial.

Martinez was convicted of fatally shooting 35-year-old Carlos Beltran Aguilar on the afternoon of Aug. 26, 2019, in the Villa Motel, 11672 Beach Blvd.

In the days leading up to the shooting, Black sent multiple angry text messages to two friends complaining about Aguilar. She also sent messages that pointed to her desire to have the victim killed, Senior Deputy District Attorney Alexa Elliott said in her opening statement of the trial.

Black was suspicious that Aguilar, who would stay with her whenever he wasn’t in jail on drug charges in 2018 and 2019 while they were dating, was cheating with an ex-girlfriend, Elliott said.

Martinez supplied heroin and methamphetamine to Black to sell out of a motel room where she had been staying, Elliott said.

Black sent a message to Martinez seeking help, but Martinez and his friends had been out late the night before partying and did not see the messages right away, Elliott said.

When Martinez finally woke up around noon, he allegedly told Black he would be right over. Martinez, Iseminger and Ramirez at the time were staying at the Stanton home of a friend, Elliott said.

Aguilar’s cousin, who was trying to help get the victim to sober up, dropped him off at Black’s room to gather some belongings before the relative could take him to a rehab facility, Elliott said.

Martinez, Iseminger and Ramirez got to the motel at about 1:11 p.m. and Martinez went in, Elliott said. Ramirez and Iseminger went in and out for the first few minutes, but then left the three alone in the room, where a gunshot can be heard, Elliott said.

Black told police Martinez jumped on the bed, pointed the gun at the victim and shot him once, killing him, the prosecutor said.

At Black’s sentencing, one of Aguilar’s daughters, Adriana, told Orange County Superior Court Judge Gary Paer how she recalled learning her father died.

“My dad’s death affected me a lot,” Adriana said. “One, for me to think I finally found a person who took me as one of their own and treated me like his own and loved as his own and never thought about it twice. Also, for me to turn the big 15 and I cannot even spend my big special day with him there, and for him to see me become the young caring woman he told me to be.”

Another daughter, Jennifer, recalled how her heart sank “with disbelief” when learning of his death, especially given that “Two days prior to his death, my oldest sister had told us that he was trying to turn his life around and get his own place, so we can finally stay nights with him.”

She said Aguilar was “always my biggest support along with my mom, but my dad always told me, `mija, you are strong, just keep on pushing.’ Those words always play in my head when I need it the most. He always told me I’d be the fighter and protector out of my sisters and I believe in that because I do see it.”

She said her father “cracked jokes” and was “just a person you can be yourself around.” She described him as “gentle and sensitive but strong-minded.”

Aguilar enjoyed taking the girls out to a “favorite restaurant” or the park to “play for hours,” Jennifer said.

Another daughter, Layloni, said she still finds it hard to believe her father is gone.

“Till this day it is still hard to believe,” she said. “It still hurts me on the inside that he is not here with us anymore.”

She said she struggled with depression and that she was a “daddy’s girl.” She said she still feels “so lost without him. I missed a lot of school because of it.”

Layloni recalled how two nights before he died he called her and said he had gotten a job lined up and was working on “getting an apartment for me and my sisters to start spending the night with him. I was so excited because my dad was starting to change his life. Then, two days later — he was no longer with us.”