Editor on Crime and Public Safety team

Marilyn Kalfus

Marilyn Kalfus is an editor on the crime and public safety team at the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. In the past decade, she's reported on and edited a wide variety of breaking news, business and real estate stories that have appeared in newspapers throughout the country. In 2017, Marilyn was one of 30 journalists around the United States invited to a housing workshop at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.

Location: Orange County, California, USA

Man accused of online threat to shoot people at Palm Springs ‘No Kings’ rally

June 15, 2025 at 10:53 a.m.

He was out on $200,000 bail on Sunday.

The University of California San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia camera network’s AI alerted the Orange County Fire Authority of an “anomaly” seen on video footage around 2 a.m. on Dec. 4. The network has several cameras located in wildfire-prone spots around Southern California. (Photo courtesy of OCFA)

Artificial intelligence spots a wildfire in an OC canyon – and promptly alerts firefighters

January 6, 2025 at 2:17 p.m.

It was the first time the Orange County Fire Authority got pinged by AI about a vegetation fire without receiving a 911 call from a human being, the agency said.

A member of the NHRA Safety Safari checks inside a small airplane after it crashed into trackside recreational vehicles during the 59th NHRA Finals at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 as it was on final approach into Brackett Field Airport across the street. At least one woman was injured. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Small plane crashes at Pomona Dragstrip during NHRA championship finals; 4 people injured

November 21, 2024 at 1:27 p.m.

The crash happened Sunday along the 2700 block of Fairplex Drive as thousands of spectators watched the races.

A 4.0-magnitude earthquake near Ontario early on Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2024 could be felt across many Southern Califoria cities. (USGS)

4.0-magnitude earthquake near Ontario rattles Southern California

October 6, 2024 at 3:23 p.m.

The quake, at 3:51 a.m., was centered at 4.3 miles southeast of Ontario, according to the USGS.

Longtime patrons of Cook’s Corner, Shelley Pagliarulo, left, and Payten Futch share an emotional embrace before a prayer service for the victims of the Cook’s Corner shooting at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest on Friday, August 25, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Cook’s Corner posts emotional video sending condolences to mass shooting victims

August 27, 2023 at 9:22 p.m.

A private gathering is being planned for those who were at the roadhouse grill on that awful night. No reopening date has been set.

In this Jan. 6, 2021 photo, Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

List: Southern California residents accused or convicted in the Capitol insurrection

October 28, 2024 at 1:22 p.m.

The list ranges from some people accused of entering the restricted building to others charged with injuring police officers.

The killers of a 6-year-old boy on the 55 Freeway have “about 24 hours to turn yourselves in,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said at a press conference in Orange on Thursday morning, May 27. (Courtesy of OCDA)

‘Turn yourselves in,’ Orange County DA warns 55 Freeway shooting suspects

January 25, 2024 at 11:38 a.m.

The district attorney said a woman was driving the car while a man shot Aiden Leos.

The aftermath of a street takeover, where cars spun around in the intersection, can be seen at Sunflower, Sakioka and Flower streets on the Costa Mesa/Santa Ana border. (Photo by Marilyn Kalfus/Orange County Register/SCNG)

500 cars scatter from street takeover at Costa Mesa, Santa Ana border

May 7, 2020 at 11:44 a.m.

Vehicles sped from the scene, some whipping around corners so fast that cars careened and tires screeched, and at least one went into opposing traffic lanes.

Tustin street takeover attracts 100 vehicles; driver arrested

January 25, 2020 at 12:34 p.m.

Tustin police say they've been seeing an increase in so-called sideshows lately.

Eight people were transported to the hospital Saturday morning after fireworks were discharged into a crowd celebrating the Lunar New Year, Orange County Fire Authority officials said. (Photo by ONSCENE.TV)

Commercial fireworks into Lunar New Year festival crowd send 8 to hospital

January 28, 2020 at 11:19 a.m.

Firefighters responding to the scene found a number of injured people scattered throughout several blocks.

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