Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Crime In OC Mostly Down In 2007, FBI Stats Show (OCR)
In O.C. and across the country, property and violent crime is down, according to statistics from the FBI.

Mission Viejo Closed-Session Council Dispute To Be Made Public (OCR)
Decision comes after Mission Viejo councilwoman said she 'feared for her life.'

Costa Mesa Weighs Bannning Team Sports At Most Parks (OCR)
Cast a vote on noise and safety concerns that one official says will provoke "a big fight."

Let's Hear It For Alligator Rides, Smoking Fish And Lions On Your Car (OCR)
Roots of OC amusement industry trace back to alligator farms, lion parks and the first invisible queue.

In Santa Ana: 'We Will Make A Stand' Against Gangs (OCR)
More than 100 residents pledge to fight gangs after 13-year-old is gunned down outside high school.

San Clemente Seeks Answers On Marblehead After Lender Goes Bankrupt (OCR)
Developers of the stalled Marblehead Coastal project in San Clemente continued work today on widening Avenida Pico, even as news broke that the project's lender had filed for bankruptcy protection from creditors.

Jury Questionnaire Finalized In Carona Case (OCR and LAT)
Potential jurors will be asked how much they know about the case, how they feel about marital infidelity, and if they can be fair.

Possible Bid For OC Register Reported (OCR)
OCBJ reported George Argyros and Larry Higby looking at buying the Reg.

Corky Carroll: Congressional 'Cutback' At Bolsa Chica (OCR)
Dana Rohrabacher gets Corky's vote.

OC Plunges In Job Creation (OCR)
Orange County's rank has dropped to 106 from 49 last year out of 200 large metro areas in ability to create and sustain jobs.