Pacifica High School Students – more than 50 of them- walked out of their final period class at 2 pm sharp on Tuesday, January 20, and began demonstrating on the corner of […]
High School Students Join Nationwide Walkout
Californians Rally Across Orange County for “Free America Walkout
Tens of thousands of Californians signed up to take to the streets in a nationwide protest known as the “Free America Walkout,” on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Pockets of protestors popped […]
Fullerton Public Library Hosts Author Talk Featuring Local Novelist Linda Zohman Avellar
Residents of Fullerton are invited to an engaging author talk with local writer Linda Zohman Avellar, who will be showcasing her recently published debut novel, “Cassie Linden Finds Her Sweet Spot.” The […]
Free America Walkout January 20 – The People can Walkout
Residents of Orange County aim to find unity and work to keep our freedoms intact and seek liberty for those in danger by federal agencies and actions by the Trump White House, […]
Free Discussion Society invites community dialogue about Fullerton
The Free Discussion Society is set to host an engaging community event inviting residents of Fullerton to share their thoughts and insights on the theme, “What does Fullerton mean to you?” Participants […]
This is Not Who We Are Really? Ask Dr. King if He Recognizes Our Current Reality
I keep hearing people say, when describing our current reality of random and often brutal sweeps based on ethnic characteristics, when we see masked thugs roaming our streets searching for “law breakers, […]
Items of note on the CONSENT CALENDAR for January 20, 2026
Item 4: City Council Reviews Annual Donations Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25 As part of the council’s agenda, staff has requested that council members formally receive and file this annual donations report […]
AT HOME WITH THE HOMELESS: A Call for Action for Winter Shelters
“Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower I hadn’t commented before on the lack of planning for extreme weather shelters in Orange County because the Observer and the Orange County Register seemed to […]
A New Frontier for Values-Based Shopping
In a bold response to the overwhelming dominance of large corporations, Erin Fangmann and Kate Marsh Lord, co-founders of Little Blue Cart, have officially launched the progressive online marketplace Little Blue Market, […]
Adventure Turns Into Survival Lesson for Local History Teacher
As a teenager, Jason Wilson, now a history teacher, set out on a hiking trip with his father and brother. What began as a day of adventure quickly turned into a test […]
Healthy Awareness: The Power of Attitude
The other day, while walking through Craig Park, I passed a woman wearing a T-shirt that read, “I have an attitude.” This made me stop and think—what exactly did she mean by […]
Indivisible CA-45 Maintains Weekly Protest Against ICE and Project 2025
Indivisible CA-45, a grassroots organization based in Fullerton, continues to make its presence felt every Monday, gathering to protest the Trump Administration’s policies, particularly Project 2025. The 46th demonstration took place on […]
Fullerton Recreational Riders: Preserving a Local Horse Community for Over Six Decades
For more than six decades, the Fullerton Recreational Riders (FRR) have been a cornerstone of the local equestrian community, bringing riders, families, and horse enthusiasts together through gymkhana events, volunteerism, and a shared love of horses. […]
Troy High School Offers a Rare and Casual Guitar Class
Troy High School’s instrumental music program is fairly diverse, encompassing marching band, jazz band, and orchestra. These programs are all alike in relative rigor, most if not all offering (and often requiring) […]
Community Rallies Against ICE Violence in Fullerton
Approximately 400 people gathered at Fullerton City Hall on January 9 for a community rally aimed at protesting the recent killing by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, as well as […]
Young Observers: January 2026
School Schedules by Tegan, 8th Grade Some school districts return from winter break after two weeks. Others stay out closer to three. Most students and parents don’t think much about it until […]
Public Meeting Scheduled on January 22 for Groundwater Cleanup Plan at Orange County North Basin Superfund Site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to host a public meeting in Fullerton on January 22, 2026, to discuss its proposed plan for cleaning up contaminated groundwater at the Orange […]
Emergency Protest Planned for January 9 in Response to ICE Violence
A community rally is set to take place in Fullerton on January 9 at 6:30 PM in front of the City Hall, located at 303 West Commonwealth Avenue, to protest against the […]
Nationwide Protest Planned for January 20, 2026, as Part of “Free America Walkout” Initiative
A nationwide protest campaign called the “Free America Walkout” is set to take place on January 20, 2026. This initiative, organized to challenge what its leaders deem the “machinery of fascism,” encourages […]
Candlelight Vigil and Protests Held in Honor of Renee Good
A rally organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) took place in Orange County today, part of a series of nationwide protests addressing the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good […]
Fullerton Union High School Students Launch Therapy Dog Club for Mental Wellness
During finals week of my freshman year, I watched how some of my friends and I were stressed out and not being able to deal with it in healthy ways. It was […]
Out of My Mind: 2025 The Year that Was
Year-end columns usually highlight the high points. What to do with a year that is an accumulation of “low points?” If “Comedy is tragedy plus time,” this could be a very funny […]
Out of My Mind: Venezuela: Hubris Nemesis & Self-Delusion
President Trump’s words seldom reveal much truth. He’s attached to the moment without future or past and offers his wishes and desires as if they were factual. It’s a psychological issue whether […]
Read the January 2026 Fullerton Observer
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Out of My Mind: 2025 The Year that Was
Year-end columns usually highlight the high points. What to do with a year that is an accumulation of “low points?” If “Comedy is tragedy plus time,” this could be a very funny […]
Patriots and Paws: Supporting Veterans and Active Duty Service Members in Southern California
As 2025 draws to a close, Patriots and Paws, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting veterans and active duty service members, reflects on a year of substantial impact. The organization provides essential […]
Are Short-Term Rentals in Fullerton a Valuable Opportunity or a Community Disruption?
As Fullerton navigates its current moratorium on new short-term rental (STR) approvals, the city finds itself at a crossroads, with fervent arguments on both sides of the debate regarding the potential reintroduction […]
City of Fullerton Cancels First Night Celebration Due to Poor Weather Forecast
In a precautionary move, the City of Fullerton has announced the cancellation of this year’s First Night celebration, originally scheduled for New Year’s Eve. This decision follows forecasts predicting rain and high […]
opinion: City Council steamrolls constituent views
I attended and spoke at the Fullerton City Council meeting on December 16, 2025. On the agenda was the question of whether to adhere to the custom of a fair rotation of […]
Woman’s Club of Fullerton Donates $2,436 in Teen Gifts to Spark of Love
On a beautiful December 6, 2025 morning, the Woman’s Club of Fullerton (WCOF) proudly delivered $2,436.71 in gifts for local teenagers as part of the annual Spark of Love program, sponsored by the Fullerton Fire Department. […]
opinion: City Ordinance and Accommodations for Disabled Residents
Local codes are written to promote consistency, safety, and order, yet strict enforcement can unintentionally create hardship for individuals facing disabilities, medical crises, financial instability, or unexpected emergencies. Integrating reasonable accommodations into […]
opinion: Please spell MAGA correctly
It is quite surprising that, for nearly 10 years, millions of people continue to spell MAGA incorrectly. Please let me explain that the correct spelling of MAGA is M-A-F-I-A. The leader of […]
Fullerton’s Proposed Bicycle Safety Measures Fall Short
The city of Fullerton announced on December 2 a series of measures in response to a tragic accident involving a California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) student. While the efforts, including infrastructure improvements […]
Temporary Solutions to Homelessness is an Expensive Band-Aid on a Broken Bone
The ongoing homelessness crisis in Fullerton, mirrored by statistics showing 434 individuals experiencing homelessness locally and over 7,300 countywide, underscores the urgent need for a fundamental shift in approach: a commitment to […]
Video Observer: A Very Tamale Holiday Celebration Has Tasteful History in Old Town Placentia
For thirty-one years, Fullerton’s neighbor, the City of Placentia, has celebrated tamalés, honoring Latin tradition and the food’s cultural roots with an annual festival, which typically takes place at the start of […]
