Hub Fullerton: 420 units on 3.55 acres (118 dwelling units per acre, no affordable units). City Council will decide on this project at Chapman and Commonwealth at its November 2 meeting at […]
City Council to decide on two large housing developments
FJUHSD Dual Pathway Programs
La Habra High School Principal Matt Eeles mentioned the Golden Bell award-winning Heritage Humanities dual pathway program during his school report at the September 14 FJUHSD Board meeting. Dual pathway programs offer […]
Public safety concerning City parking structures
The public parking structures and downtown area surveillance cameras have been out of order for nearly two years. The City Council unanimously approved $1.4 million for a new camera system at the […]
The Downtown Report: Mid October Edition
Human Library You may think this is about the many “Little free libraries” you read about in the last issue of The Observer. I have one in my neighborhood, and what a […]
OC Human Relations report shows rise in hate crimes
The Orange County Human Relations Commission has released its 2020 hate crimes report. Orange County experienced 112 reported hate crimes in 2020, a 35% increase from 2019. In the last five years, […]
Mexican art and furniture store could be replaced by another restaurant/bar
Blanquel Popular Art, a long-established Mexican custom furniture and art store in downtown Fullerton, along with the neighboring Plant Store, may be replaced by an establishment called World of Beer. The item […]
As Afghan refugees arrive in California, many remain trapped and in danger back home
Fatima is an Afghan American woman living in Orange County who is afraid for her family who are still in Afghanistan. She is not alone. As Afghan refugees begin to arrive in […]
Local nonprofit helps veterans
Patriots and Paws is a nonprofit organization that helps veterans returning from active duty readjust to living back in the community. The 99 cent store at Orangethorpe and Brookhurst recently hosted a […]
Applications for Redistricting Commission Due Oct. 4
The city of Fullerton is now accepting applications for seats on a commission formed to provide options for a new map to define Fullerton’s 5 council districts. Fullerton’s current map dates to […]
Police standoff causes temporary closure of Commonwealth
A burglary suspect ran from police and barricaded himself at a residence on West Commonwealth resulting in a major traffic shutdown on Wednesday, September 22. According to Public Information Officer Sergeant Brandon […]
Community rallies for pathway to citizenship
Several immigrant rights groups organized a Car and Community Rally for Citizenship at St. Philip Benizi Church in Fullerton on September 18 during a week of action co-organized by the Coalition for […]
Planning Commission Notes: September 15 Meeting
All Commissioners were in attendance. World of Beer: The request for a conditional use permit for a Type 47 ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) license by Bijalkumar Patel & Dhaval Panchal and property […]
The Downtown Report: Mid September Edition
Updates Not only are the new staircases in, but the Santa Fe Café is looking cool in more ways than one with nice shade and greenery all around now. It’s interesting to […]
Vivien Moreno interviews new FJUHSD Superintendent
Just prior to the start of the 2021/22 school year, I sat down with new FJUHSD Superintendent Dr. Steve McLaughlin and discussed his early impressions of the District, goals, and some challenges […]
City extends agreement with downtown hotel developer
Fullerton City Council has approved a third extension to an exclusive negotiating agreement with Parkwest General Contractors for potential development of an upscale boutique hotel near the train station downtown, on what […]
Tree of the Month: Holly Oak at Pacific Drive Elementary School
The newly-formed Heritage Trees Committee (HTC) presents the holly oak at Pacific Drive Elementary School on Valencia Ave. as September’s Tree of the Month. This is the oldest and largest oak within […]
Downtown Report: Early September Issue
Roadkill Ranch Sorry to report that our friend Julie Rasmussen is closing her doors on a business that has become a fixture on a very diverse stretch of Commonwealth Avenue. Julie has […]
Man Fatally Stabbed in Fullerton, Police Seek Witnesses
Fullerton Police Officers responded to Harbor Blvd and Walnut Ave. regarding a victim who had been stabbed on Monday, August 30, 2021, at approximately 4:39am. A reporting party who found the victim […]
Downtown Fair meets community needs
Local nonprofit United Across Borders, in conjunction with other local organizations and elected officials, hosted a community fair and food drive on Saturday, August 21 at the Fullerton Downtown Plaza. The event […]
Drug Bust in Fullerton turns up 485 grams of meth
A 51-year-old parolee is in custody on suspicion of drug sales, possession of drug paraphernalia and stolen credit cards after police found 485 grams of methamphetamine inside his RV in Fullerton, authorities […]
Adlena Park shade trees set for removal
Neighbors of Adlena Park were concerned when Fullerton city arborist Roger Cardenas recently marked five of the park’s Chinese Elms for removal. “The City plans on removing these trees which are basically […]
Certified Farmers Market welcomes a new farmer
Grace Legaspi of Tiny Leaf Farms is the newest certified farmer at the Certified Farmers Market held every Wednesday at the Fullerton Community Center. Legaspi sells micro greens that are highly nutritious […]
Bar defends itself against accusations at protest
Local bar JP23 Urban Kitchen was the target of another protest on Saturday, August 14 by demonstrators demanding the bar be closed. Police are continuing to investigate allegations of a rape downtown […]
Case against Councilmember Ahmad Zahra dismissed
During the public comments portion of the recent City Council meeting on August 3, Zoom caller, Marlena Carrillo accused City Council of not being transparent and cited two charges against Councilmember […]
FJUHSD Offers Mental Health Services
For the past four years FJUHSD has increasingly focused on social and emotional health and greater overall mental health care by expanding mental health resources, particularly for extreme mental health emergencies through […]
Young Observers: August Edition
In two weeks, Fullerton schools will reopen to regular in-person classes despite the renewed threat from COVID-19 variants and the significant rise in daily new cases. I reached out to a small […]
PFAS Extraction Plant Makes History
The Orange County Water District and the city of Fullerton have begun operation of OC’s first wellhead filtration treatment plant to remove the contaminants Per-and-polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) from local well water. The Kimberly […]
The Limits of Desegregation: a Story of Maple School (Part 5)
The following is part of an ongoing series about school desegregation efforts in Fullerton from the 1960s to today. ‘White Flight’ Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the percentage of ethnic minority students […]
The Downtown Report: August Edition
SoCo Evolution Since 1946, the Ellingson family has operated a precision machine shop, and today they produce critically machined parts for the aerospace industry. Leo Fender set up his retail store on […]
Museum of Teaching and Learning Receives Grant for Brain Odyssey Exhibit
The Fullerton-based Museum of Teaching and Learning (MOTAL) has received a $500,000 grant in the 2020-2021 California Budget. The money will be used to help fund a mobile exhibit about the importance […]
Fullerton College President Moves on to Citrus College
Over the last six years, thousands of students met President Greg Schulz as he worked his way through the Fullerton College campus during the first week of each semester. He enjoyed dropping […]
My Year to Conquer the Squirrels
This is the year I have vowed to conquer the squirrels for two reasons. One, they decimate avocados. Two, they plant pecan trees all over my yard, even in plant pots, and […]
Arboretum Reopens
The Fullerton Arboretum at Cal State Fullerton reopened July 7 with summer hours. It has been closed since spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the closure, the 26-acre botanical garden’s […]
The Observer Asks
What are your favorite things about Fullerton? How would you improve Fullerton? Would you like to be in the next issue? Send the Observer your photo, name, city, and answer to these […]
A Potential Trail Along Fullerton’s Abandoned Union Pacific Tracks
Back in 2009, Brea community meetings were held to find a way to convert the city’s abandoned rails into trails for walking, running and biking, instead of places where people dumped trash […]
