Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Falling economy, fewer jobs means falling 91 tolls (OCR and LAT)
The recession and a high unemployment rate are driving down the cost of tolls on the 91 Express Lanes.

Rancho fire destroys home, displaces family (OCR)
Two-alarm blaze causes an estimated $400,000 of damage.

Pro surfers competing this weekend in Huntington (OCR)
Nice weather and fierce competition should draw thousands to watch the Van's Pier Classic presented by Jack's Surfboards.

Time to worry about earthquake swarm near north O.C.? (OCR)
What does it mean? Does it mean anything? The series of small earthquakes occurring in the Chino HIlls, immediately north of Yorba Linda, is raising a lot of questions and making some people nervous.

O.C. man pleads guilty to Ponzi scheme (OCR and DP)
A San Clemente man pleaded guilty today to federal charges of collecting $15 million from investors whom he promised would earn up to 18% a year in what turned out to be a Ponzi scheme.

Maguire sells Irvine complex for $22 million (LAT)
Struggling office landlord Maguire Properties Inc. sold an Orange County building Friday for $22 million to one of the tenants at the Irvine complex, pharmaceutical company Allergan.

City official violated policy (DP)
Newport Beach City Manager Homer Bludau did not follow City Council policy in September 2005 when he, then-Chief of Police Bob McDonell and then-president of Police Management Assn. John Desmond entered into a professional services contract without City Council approval, city officials confirmed Friday.

Convicted killer’s sentencing delayed until May (DP)
A Long Beach gang member convicted of killing a Newport Beach couple in 2005 out at sea had his sentencing delayed until May 1, thanks to a motion from his attorneys.

Cal State Fullerton reaches deal for space at Irvine's Great Park (LAT)
The agreement with developer Lennar Corp. would keep the satellite campus operating in its leased space through August 2010.