In October 2020, the Silverado fire threatened the Orchard Hills neighborhood in Irvine, but thanks to meticulous planning, modern home designs, and a longstanding partnership with the Orange County Fire Authority, not a single residence was damaged. Orchards in the area, originally planted by Irvine Valencia Growers, provide natural fire resistance with built-in irrigation systems. The neighborhood’s fire plan, developed by the Irvine Co., the fire authority, and a fire behavior analyst, includes various levels of defense against wildfires, such as fuel modification zones with fire-resistant vegetation and strict building regulations to create a fire-hardened community.
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How a small-time drug bust ignited a feud between police and a Catholic hospital
Last August in Lorain, Ohio, a standoff began when police arrested a man suspected of hiding drugs in his body, leading to a dispute over a court-ordered body cavity search at a local hospital. The hospital refused, citing safety and ethical concerns, resulting in criminal charges, the dismantling of the hospital's police force, and a lawsuit against authorities. The incident highlights the tension between police and healthcare workers when forced to perform procedures that challenge...
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