Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Carona Must Be Paid, County Is Told (LAT)
O.C. sheriff, who is on leave, can be deprived of his salary only under limited circumstances, county counsel says.

OC's Lawyer Says Sheriff Can Take Paid Leave (OCR)
But Mike Carona cannot appoint his undersheriff as 'acting sheriff' while he deals with corruption charges, county counsel tells supervisors.

Free Loaned Art Adorns Politicians Offices (OCR)
POLL: Should officials have to report loaned art?

Mudslide Wipes Group of Trout OFF OC Map (OCR)
In Harding Canyon, post-fire debris flow apparently buried remnant group of fish.

Irvine Co. Deal Approved (DP)
The Newport Beach City Council voted unanimously to approve a multimillion-dollar development agreement with the Irvine Co. Tuesday after the company agreed to hand over a 4-acre site on East Coast Highway valued at $6.3 million as part of the deal.
Anaheim's Platinum Triangle Poised To Become 'Downtown' (OCR and LAT)
City Council approves plan to more than double building allowed around Angel Stadium.

Santa Ana Unified Trustees Cut $11.4 Million From Budget (OCR)
Board to gather Thursday to grapple with $5.6 million more in cuts needed to erase projected deficit.

Costa Mesa Police Find Pot Farm In Home (OCR and DP)
More than 100 marijuana plants discovered in garage and house.

Orange Tightens Day Laborer Rules (OCR)
City officials adopt stringent measures to curb workers' solicitation.

Orange County: One Of The Most 'Secure' Places To Live? (OCR)
Insurance survey ranks Orange County as the 15th 'most-secure' major metro area in the country.

Civil Rights Investigation Clears UCI (OCR, LAT and DP)
Agency says lack of evidence in allegations by Jewish students.

Youth Arrested In Newport Beach Bomb Scare (OCR and LAT)
The 12-year-old boy is arrested for taking an 'acid bomb' to Ensign Intermediate School.

'Sewer To Tap' Water System Reaches Out To Minorities (OCR)
Leaders of the groundwater replenishment system want to educate and gain the support of those considered less likely to approve of it.

South County Gang Injunction The Subject Of Meeting (OCR)
Latino group, Sheriff's Department to discuss concerns of community over injunction against 2 rival gangs.

This Love Story Starts In A C-130 Transport Plane's Belly (OCR)
This love story begins in the blacked-out belly of a C-130 transport plane hurtling toward Iraq.

Students Cram At Chapman's Midnight Breakfast (OCR)
Orange university hosts event marking beginning of exam week.

CUSD Top Open Bidding For High School Stadium (OCR)
The school board stresses the San Juan Hills High School project may still not be built.

Mel's Drive-In Diner To Open Today (OCR)
Diner in Seal Beach's landmark Parasol building debuts after months of delays, 3 years after it was to be razed.

A Peek At The Bishop's Past -- OC Weekly
Bishop Brown Escapes OC Court Date, But Now he Must Reckon with Monterey

Civic Siblings Down Under (DP)
Mayor of Costa Mesa's sister city of Wyndham, Australia, fulfills lifelong dreams at the 'happiest place on earth.'

Special Education Services Upheld Despite Fund Drop (DP)
The Newport-Mesa school board received its annual independent auditor's report Tuesday, this year conducted by third-party company Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co. LLP.

Newport-Mesa To Lose Interest Earnings (DP)
Federal Reserve cut interest rates by quarter of percentage point to 4.25%. Each city's losses will be minimal, treasurers say.