🌱 'Bombshell' Agency Audit + CPA Posed As Police Officer + Heavy Rain

Hi, all! It's Paula Constance, your host of the Orange County Daily. Follow along to find out the most important things going on in town these days, including:

• O.C. green power agency "bombshell" report.
• Accountant guilty of impersonating a police officer.
• A serial flasher pleads guilty.
• Inflation drops to its lowest level in a decade.
• How much rain fell over the weekend?

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 64 Low: 43.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. A serial flasher was placed on one year of probation after he pleaded guilty to exposing himself to 10 Orange County girls in 2018, court records show. Benjamin Kaszynski, 36, of Trabuco Canyon will avoid serving a 180-day jail sentence if he "clears his year of probation." He also has to register as a sex offender for at least 10 years. (Orange County Patch)
2. Consumers in Orange and Los Angeles counties got a break in November when inflation had its largest one month drop in the past 10 years. Falling gas prices helped fuel the lower Consumer Price Index released Tuesday. The last time inflation dropped this low was "a 1 percent drop in November 2012 during the bumpy recovery from the Great Recession." (OC Register/paywall)
3. An Orange County accountant who impersonated a police officer pleaded guilty Monday. The Anaheim certified public accountant, Richard Charles Phillip Moore, 35, was charged with possessing a deadly weapon, among other charges, and "was sentenced to 116 days in jail, time he has already served." (Patch)
4. This weekend's storm brought heavy rainfall to Orange County. Who had the most rain? According to O.C. Public Works, "Orange County foothill residents" had the most rainfall this weekend. Upper Silverado Canyon had 2.72 inches of rain, the Fullerton Municipal Airport had between 1.4 and 1.5 inches of rain, and residents of Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills saw between 1.18 and 1.5 inches of rain, officials said. (Orange County Patch)
5. In a "bombshell" report, the county called out O.C.’s green power agency. The county audit revealed that the Orange County Power Authority staff lacked expertise, the OCPA doesn't follow best practices and has failed to inform the public. The report also said the agency had "almost three times the statewide average number of customers opt out." The report was written in part by Paul Fenn, who was the sole author of California’s laws that govern green power agencies like the OCPA. (Voice of OC)

Today in Orange County:

• Winter Spirit Week-Future Job Day - Trabuco Hills High (All Day)
• Tis the Season for Chicken Love - Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce (All Day)
• Winter Collaboration in the Gym (7:30 a.m.)
• ASB Adopt-A-Child (Student Activities) (7:45 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Happy ending: "HAPPY ENDING! Santa is busy helping us find loving homes for our dogs. It was Justice's turn this time. He has been adopted!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Mission to help others: "We’re all in the midst of a busy holiday season, but one group has made it their mission to help others during this time of year. The Orange County Fire Services Association, along with their wives, and Division 6 and Reserve Firefighters." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• Yorba Linda Food Drive and Parade: "This weekend crews from Fire Station 10 and 41, Battalion 2 and Division 4, along with members of the Orange County Fire Services Association participated in the annual Food Drive and Parade in Yorba Linda!" (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• Spanish Colonial Revival restaurant design: "The new restaurant was built in Spanish Colonial Revival style to conform with the city's image." (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• Knott's Seasons of Fun calendar: "Knott’s has unveiled its annual Seasons of Fun calendar that includes festivals dedicated to Peanuts characters, Boysenberry treats, summertime barbecues, Halloween frights and Christmas cheer." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Daily? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com