Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

GOP tied to rehab homes -- DP
The head of the Republican Party of Orange County works as a consultant for two of the largest rehabilitation home operators in Newport Beach, including a home the city is suing for violating a city moratorium, officials confirmed Friday.

Harman accepts pay raise, brings salary to $116,208 -- DP
Dismissing critics, Sen. Tom Harman said he has decided to accept a 2.75% raise offered to state lawmakers.

O.C. investments shunned by others -- OCR
County invested $460 million in securities that the state and other California counties considered too risky.

Fallen troops honored with monument -- OCR
221 names of those who died serving with the Marine Regimental Combat Team 5 are etched on a granite Texas barrier.

Housing plan opposed by Disney isn't dead yet -- LAT
A developer asks Anaheim to reconsider the 1,500-home project, two weeks after taking steps that had been interpreted as abandoning the proposal. Disney wants the area reserved for tourism.

Rain may linger Saturday, and ski areas await snow -- OCR and LAT
Fast-moving storm spares houses from mudslides but leaves a chill in the air.

Early O.C. property tax collections up 5% -- OCR
Orange County's tax collector says that as of Nov. 30, he's collected $808 million in property taxes so far this billing season. First payments are due Dec. 10. That's 5% ahead of last year's pace. Late tax bills have grown in size the past three years as the real estate market's softened.

Group homes may need to get permits from city -- DP
A proposed ordinance aimed at curbing the spread of drug and alcohol rehabilitation homes in Newport Beach would clamp down on where new homes could open and require existing facilities to get permits from the city.

County behavioral health clinic to close? -- OCR
Shuttering Fullerton facility could save county $3 million a year, but would displace 700 patients and 31 employees.

Kaiser to pay $1.8 million in malpractice case -- OCR
45-year-old man was not diagnosed with cerebral bleeding and later suffered permanent brain damage

Activist rejected but not defeated -- DP
A Newport Beach activist vowed Friday to continue his fight against a February measure that could determine where the next city hall will be built after a judge rejected his effort to keep it off the ballot.

Beaten man says he won't bow to gang terror -- LAT
'If I die and it's to catch these gangsters, let it happen,' says former cab driver who tells of being a police informant.