Hes

As actors prepare for the opening night of ?Oliver!? ? checking the lights and sound, making sure they don?t forget their lines and preparing for dress rehearsal ? 12-year-old Jake Olson is trying to memorize the set-up of the stage, so he doesn?t run into any props or scenery. During the play, Jake has the added challenge of remembering how to get around. Not only are the lights bright on stage and the theater dark between scenes, but he is also legally blind. Jake, who will appear in the play alongside his twin sister, Emma, will be taking the stage Friday for the first time since losing most of his vision.

A South Korean man who authorities say flew home a day after an alcohol-related crash that killed a Golden West College student in 2005 has been extradited to face vehicular manslaughter charges. Youn Bum Lee, a Hyundai executive, was arrested on a fugitive warrant in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 2. Lee was extradited Friday after a September request by the Orange County district attorney’s office. According to authorities, Lee, 42, was attending a company-sponsored dinner Oct. 18, 2005, where he had been drinking heavily.

Local lawmakers had mixed reactions to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s State of the State address Tuesday, after the governor unveiled his plans for health care, education and budget maneuvers he hopes will mitigate the projected $14 billion deficit facing the state. The governor offered a preview of the budget his office plans to release in two days — one that doesn’t raise taxes, but that he nevertheless hopes will cure some of the “budget demons” haunting the state.

PLACENTIA — One of the centers of attention coming into last Friday’s Sunset League opener was the center himself. Edison High senior center Roman Sapolu was out with a foot injury, so the Chargers turned to senior Kris Bonham, who hadn’t played the position in three years and is usually on the defensive line. Esperanza probably couldn’t tell the difference, the way Bonham stepped in and performed. But what the Aztecs probably could tell after Edison’s 34-10 win at Valencia High is why the Chargers, the top-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division poll, are considered favorites to win their fifth straight league title.

Huntington Beach resident Ian Allen told friends he planned to kill his girlfriend’s mother as painfully as possible, just days before her body was found in Newport Beach shores with dozens of stab wounds, witnesses said on the first day of trial. “He wanted to make it slow and painful,” former friend Ryan Neptune said about a get-together the weekend before the killing. “He also offered myself and my friend Alex money to drive to a location in the desert, [to]

ANAHEIM — Jordan Zumwalt did his best to hide his face Saturday night at Angel Stadium. After a stunning loss to Servite High, the Edison star linebacker sunk into the rain-soaked grass. As he sat, his shoulders slumped over as he bowed his head. A TV cameraman rushed to him, wanting the classic crushing loss scene, but Zumwalt didn’t want any of that. “Don’t tape me right now,” he said. “Get that camera out of here.” All season long, the spotlight has been on Zumwalt.

Aaron Delgado is many things on the basketball court and the baseball diamond. The senior shortstop is not, however, a captain for this year’s Ocean View High baseball team. With Delgado still helping the CIF Southern Section Division III-AA finalist hoops team earlier this spring, the Seahawks baseball team took votes for captain. Three players made it. Delgado came close, despite the fact he wasn’t even there at the time, showing the respect he garners on the team.

Let?s hear a shout for President Obama and his first 100 days! He and his Cabinet have turned America around from the chaos he inherited. It has been truly remarkable what they have accomplished in 100 days. Obama tells us, ?The work has just begun.? The American people once again proved what a resilient people we are. We faced reality, rolled up our sleeves and voted in a leader. This man and his family are inspirational. He?s changed our course and slowly and carefully is leading us back onto the path of American greatness.

Like many teenage girls, Huntington Beach resident Rachael Mullenix told her mother she hated her and didn’t want to live with her anymore, according to prosecutors. But then, prosecutors said, Mullenix and her 21-year-old boyfriend made sure of it — with several knives. The prosecution made opening arguments and called a few witnesses Wednesday in the murder and conspiracy trial of Mullenix, who turned away as Deputy Dist. Atty. Sonia Balleste showed jurors her mother a picture of Barbara Mullenix’s slashed body as it appeared when it washed up at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club on Sept.

Ocean View High senior boys’ basketball player Anthony Brown has committed to Stanford, Coach Jim Harris said Tuesday night. Brown, a 6-foot-6 wing player, averaged 12.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last year for Ocean View, helping the Seahawks (27-8) win the CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA championship and advance to the CIF State Division III championship game. Brown was named co-Division IV-AA player of the year with teammate Avery Johnson. The two also earned All-State status and, along with guard Mason Jones, were also named Golden West League Player of the Year.