City editor

Heather McRea

Heather McRea has worked for the Orange County Register for more than 15 years, starting in north Orange County and now spanning much of the county.

Location: Orange County, California, USA

Workers lift the last prefab section of a 65-unit apartment complex in Midway City, on Thursday, August 27, 2026. American Family Housing is building Casa Colibri from prefabricated sections built in Utah. The started placing the sections eight days ago. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

65 units of new affordable housing project in Midway City stacked into place

August 29, 2026 at 8:22 a.m.

The complex won't be move-in ready for several more months, but by using prefabricated, modular units, the developer expects the project to be done in under a year and with...

Robert Ruiz “hops” his 1979 Monte Carlo T-Top into the Chicano Heritage Month car show at Centennial Park in Santa Ana on Sunday, August 23, 2026. A caravan of low riders kicked off the fifth annual festival. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Santa Ana hosts festival to celebrate Chicano heritage

August 23, 2026 at 5:54 p.m.

This was the fifth year for the city's festival, which kicked off with a community car cruise.

Sonora High School cheerleaders show their spirit during the La Habra Corn Festival parade on Saturday, August 22, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

La Habra Corn Festival cooks up fun and community

August 22, 2026 at 3:43 p.m.

The three-day festival organized by the La Habra Host Lions is in its 77th year. It continues Sunday.

Lynkon Garcia, Alaina Rawlin and Lyden Garcia, from left, have a photo taken by their mom Sierra during the first day of school at Portola Hills Elementary School in Trabuco Canyon on Thursday, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Saddleback Valley Unified students are back to school and ready to learn

August 20, 2026 at 12:05 p.m.

At Portola Hills Elementary, fun signs and smiling teachers welcoming back the students helped counter some of the jitters for parents and students alike.

Amber Mueller, a fifth-grade teacher at Beacon Park School in Irvine, greets a former student during the first day of school on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Irvine Unified students hit the books with start of 2026-27 year

August 18, 2026 at 1:46 p.m.

The Irvine Unified School District returned its learners to their classrooms on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Leia Lee, left and Everly Nicol take a photo during the first day of school at Clarence Lobo Elementary School in San Clemente on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Capo Unified students get back to learning

August 18, 2026 at 12:41 p.m.

At Clarence Lobo Elementary School, fun signs and smiling teachers welcomed students to campus, a new one for some.

Sawyer, Scharlotte, Graham and Murphy Megonigal take a photo in front of a welcome back sign before the first day of class at Harbor View Elementary School in Corona del Mar on Monday, August 17, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Newport-Mesa Unified is back to the business of learning

August 18, 2026 at 7:38 a.m.

Thousands of students headed back to class for the first day of school on Aug. 17, 2026.

Denise Dickinson, left, of Costa Mesa and Tracie Guier of Tustin hold on tight as they ride the Sling Shot, which launches riders at 60 mph, with 4.5 G’s of force, 200 feet into the air, at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)

As OC Fair enters its final five days, here are sights that delight

August 12, 2026 at 6:21 a.m.

From adorable animals to locals' favorites, here's a look at our photographer's highlights from the fair ... so far.

Fairgoers ride the Sky Ride at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)

What’s going on this week, Aug. 12-16, at the OC Fair

August 11, 2026 at 12:46 p.m.

From what you need to know to go to what is some of the entertainment on tap, we've got the scoop on the OC Fair fun this week.

Victoria and Zac Applegate walk their son Ollie, 7, to his second-grade classroom with their daughter Juniper, 4, on the first day of school at Pacific Drive Elementary School in Fullerton on Monday, August 10, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Back to the business of learning in Fullerton School District

August 10, 2026 at 2:59 p.m.

At Pacific Drive Elementary, smiling teachers welcoming back the students helped counter some of the jitters for parents and students alike.

All Stories