Around Town: Deadline to apply for O.C. grand jury extended

Orange County Superior Court has extended the deadline to apply to be on the next grand jury to Jan. 29.

The court empanels a new 19-member grand jury each year to serve a one-year term beginning July 1.

Grand jury duties include reviewing and evaluating county, city and other local agencies, including jails, schools and special districts, and writing a final report with findings and recommendations for improvement. The grand jury also may consider evidence for possible indictments in criminal cases and may review complaints submitted by residents.

The stipend for grand jury service is $50 per day for up to five days per week. Panelists receive reimbursement for mileage.

Superior Court judges interview qualified applicants and choose the top candidates. Final selection of the panelists is by a random drawing of 25 to 30 nominees representing a cross section of the county.

To serve, an applicant must be:

• At least 18 years old

• A U.S. citizen

• A resident of Orange County for at least a year

• Knowledgable of English

For an application form or more information, visit ocgrandjury.org call (657) 622-6747 or go to the jury commissioner’s office, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana.

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OCTA picks new board leader

San Clemente City Councilwoman Lori Donchak was unanimously selected this week as the new board chairwoman of the Orange County Transportation Authority for the next year, replacing Irvine Councilman Jeff Lalloway.

Lalloway will remain on the board.

Donchak served as the OCTA board’s vice chairwoman for the past year. Replacing her in that position is board member Michael Hennessey, principal of Hennessey Group, a real estate development and consulting firm.

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Proceeds of Vanguard 5K to benefit alumnus

Vanguard University in Costa Mesa will hold its 5K Run for Mercy on Jan. 30 to help support Vanguard alumnus and Army veteran Nathan Harrington.

Harrington, who studied at Vanguard from 1998 to 2001, served as a chaplain assistant in the Army after 9/11.

After two years in the service, he was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, an incurable illness that causes breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. He received an honorable discharge.

Harrington returned to Vanguard in 2013 to finish his degree in religion with an emphasis in pastoral leadership.

All proceeds from the 3.1-mile Run for Mercy will go to support the Harrington family.

Check-in for the event will begin at 9 a.m. at the school’s Needham Chapel. The run will begin at 10 a.m.

To register, visit connect.vanguard.edu/event/5k