Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Letter Alleges Safety Violations Of Great Park Balloon (OCR)
Former employee of balloon operator sends letter to FAA.

The Orange Grove: Recommendations For The Next Sheriff (OCR)
Eliminating favoritism in promotions, splitting off coroner among the priorities

Annexations Should Not Proceed, Newport Leader Says (OCR and DP)
To avoid conflict with Costa Mesa, city manager recommends against absorbing country club, small neighborhood.

Campus Threats Rack Nerves (LAT)
An Anaheim high school deals with rumors; Cal State Dominguez Hills reacts to gun reports.

Concert-Goers Say Goodbye Too The Galaxy Theatre (OCR)
They say the venue may have been in disrepair but it filled a unique niche on the local concert scene.

Whhy Did Wyane Gross Recuse Himself From The Mike Carona Investigation (OC Weekly)
A federal prosecutor recused himself from the Carona probe. But it seems he couldn't stay away from Carona

Carona's Money (OCR)
Controversy over Carona campaign report.

Dana Parsons: Shoe Is On The Other Foot For Carona (LAT)
Parsons glad Carona getting to experience what all those poor criminals do.

Orange Coounty Gets A New Logo - Or Does It? - (OCR)
Graphic devised by local tourism leaders closely resembles that used by Fox's television show "The O.C."

County Help Requested To Make Tri-City Trolley A Reality (OCR)
San Juan council also agrees to fund a portion of the project, along with Dana Point and San Clemente.

Devil No Longer In Details At Bethel (OCR)
Bethel Towers switches address to 678 for its same location, which used to carry the mark of the beast, number 666.

Coast To Have Luxury Condos (OCR)
The Newport Beach Planning Commission voted 6-1 Thursday to approve a luxury condominium complex on a coastal bluff in Corona del Mar.

New Garden Grove Fire Chief Appointed (OCR)
David Bertka, a department veteran, was selected from a field of 12 candidates

Resort Housing-Hotel Project Moves Forward (OCR)
The Planning Commission approves homes near Disneyland without any public complaints.

Economy Jabs Two Major H.B. Developments (OCR)
Blue Canvas homes and the proposed third waterfront hotel in Surf City have delayed their projects because of the economic downturn.