Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- Sept. 29, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Rape reports up countywide -- OCR
Some cities, including Anaheim, Orange and Brea, saw big spike from 2005 to 2006.

Panel recommends against toll road extension -- OCR and LAT
Potential harm to endangered species, surfing and scenic views are cited as reasons the agency should disapprove the highway in October.

GOP-backed bid to reform California's electoral process collapsing -- OCR
Lack of support, funding doomed effort to divvy up electoral votes instead of awarding all to top candidate.

91 closures at Green River Road this weekend -- OCR
Ramps to be closed over weekend.

Sundance winner, world flicks highlight UCI series -- DP
The UCI Film and Video Center presents a series on independent films.

Local Muslims offer prayers for Ramadan -- OCR
A local imam devotes his sermon to a message of peace, harmony.

O.C. deputies accuse county of 'bad-faith bargaining' -- LAT
Both sides say they're far apart in negotiating a new contract. Pensions continue to be a point of bitter disagreement.

Anaheim wins marijuana challenge -- OCR
A judge rules that the city can enforce its ban on medical-marijuana dispensaries for now.

Man pleads not guilty in elder scam case -- OCR
Douglas Scott Milne faces a maximum of nearly nine years in prison on charges of stealing $300,000 from an Seal Beach woman, 90

Ejection defused situation, cop says -- DP
Attorneys for Orange Coast College student Benito Acosta continued to argue in court Friday that Acosta’s arrest at a January 2006 Costa Mesa City Council meeting was political because he was treated differently than other speakers and that he was not being disruptive when he was arrested.