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The mid-century modern home has five bedrooms, seven baths, and a swimming pool that overlooks the skyline.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The rubber match of the Alabama-Clemson trilogy was a total dud compared to the teams’ previous two meetings.

Except to the Crimson Tide defense, which will remember it as a thing of beauty.

In a game where every yard was a struggle, the ‘Bama defenders took matters into their own hands, scoring a pair of touchdowns just 13 seconds apart in the third quarter to turn an offensive slog into a 24-6 rout of defending national champion Clemson in the Sugar Bowl semifinal game Monday night.

It was quite a contrast to their last two meetings, both high-scoring classics with the national title on the line, not to mention the Rose Bowl semifinal that preceded it. Georgia knocked off Oklahoma 54-48 in a double-overtime thriller that wasn’t decided until the Alabama was on its second possession in the Big Easy.

There would be no drama in the nightcap. With Deshaun Watson off to the NFL, top-ranked Clemson (12-2) simply had no answer for Nick Saban’s latest group of defensive standouts. The Crimson Tide’s win set up an all-Southeastern Conference showdown for the national title — with Saban matched against his former defensive coordinator, Georgia coach Kirby Smart.

Clemson was fortunate to be down only 10-3 at halftime against the fourth-ranked Tide (12-1), and actually closed the gap with a field goal after Jalen Hurts fumbled on the first play of the second half.

But any thoughts of a Tiger rally were snuffed out by the time the third quarter was done.

It began with 308-pound defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne picking off a wobbly pass, the ball fluttering through the air after besieged Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant was hit as a threw — a familiar sight on this night.

Payne rumbled 21 yards on the return, even showing off an impressive open-field move that eluded running back Travis Etienne’s attempted tackle, and drew a 15-yard personal foul penalty when Tremayne Anchrum yanked him down with a horse collar.

After Alabama drove to a first down at the Clemson 1, Payne re-entered the game — presumably to add another big body for blocking purposes. That’s certainly what Clemson was thinking, totally biting when Hurts faked the handoff.

Payne slipped open near the right pylon and hauled in the touchdown pass, even managing to get both feet down before the celebration commenced beyond the sideline.

A bit shell-shocked by that turn of events, Clemson was thoroughly demoralized after its next offensive play. Bryant’s pass deflected off the hands of Deon Cain and was intercepted by linebacker Mack Wilson, who returned it 18 yards for another touchdown.

Just like that, Alabama had a 24-6 lead.

They could’ve called it right then.

The Tide, which began the season in Atlanta beating Florida State, will return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium next Monday night to face No. 3 Georgia and give Saban another shot at matching Bear Bryant’s record six national titles.

This is eerily reminiscent of Alabama’s run to the 2011 championship, another season when the Tide didn’t even win its own division or play for the SEC title. That year, Saban’s team lost at home to LSU during the regular season but got a second chance against the top-ranked Tigers with the biggest prize on the line — in the Sugar Bowl, no less.

On that night in the Big Easy, Alabama defense didn’t allow LSU to cross midfield until the closing minutes of a suffocating 21-0 victory. This defensive performance was nearly as impressive.

Clemson was held to 188 yards — 260 yards below its season average — and never reached the end zone. Bryant was sacked five times and the Tigers were held to 64 yards on the ground.

Dave Harrington has another year in the mayor’s seat in Aliso Viejo.

Making history as the first mayor in Aliso Viejo to serve two years in a row, Harrington, a retired sergeant with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, said he plans to continue much of his work from 2017.  However, some things are different this time for Harrington — who has been on the council for three years The Aliso Viejo Ranch project is already in the works and Harrington is also running for OC Sheriff.

Here’s what else Mayor Harrington has in store for Aliso Viejo:

Q: What do you hope to accomplish in 2018?

A: I hope to break ground on the (Aliso Viejo) Ranch project; it has been long overdue and we’ve made some great strides, but I’m ready to see the shovels on the ground.

We’re also going to continue to look at ways to maximize our tax revenue while controlling our costs. I think we’ve done a great job over the past three years I’ve been in office, and that’s always a goal to maintain some fiscal responsibility.

Q: In what ways do you hope to achieve controlling costs?

A: The biggest cost that we have in our budget is the sheriff’s contract. We have to continue to try to work with them in that partnership to find ways to save money through shared costs and other means. We are participating in a survey where they are going to be looking at how those costs are allocated from the department in the contract.

Q: How does your experience in law enforcement at the Sheriff’s Department apply to that issue?

A: When I first got on the council, I kind of knew that the shared services was the way to go. When you look at Aliso Viejo, Laguna Woods and Laguna Hills — just as an example — we’re basically the same geographical size as Mission Viejo, and they only have one lieutenant and one administrative sergeant. For us, we have like two-and-a-half lieutenants and two administrative sergeants, and it’s just not necessary for us to have that much administrative cost for that size. We could have one lieutenant and one sergeant. It’s something we’ve been pushing for the past three years.

I did that job — I was an administrative sergeant in Laguna Hills. I know the work that is done by those people so I understand how much it’s really needed. (My experience) is an advantage because I know of the level of work — you don’t need two guys to do one guy’s job.

Q: What have you learned from your previous year as mayor?

A: It’s really quite a lot of fun — as a councilmember or mayor, it’s fun. You’re a part of a lot of businesses opening, which is very exciting. We’ve had MicroVention move back into our city, we’ve had Urban Plates, Pieology and a couple of other restaurants opening in our city. We also have the senior housing project. Watching this stuff get developed and open is exciting.

Nothing will top the (Aliso Viejo) Ranch. I ran on making that an agricultural and education center and to see that come to fruition, for us to actually move forward on something, an amazing amenity for our city, and as mayor to shepherd that through has been really cool.

Q: How will your running for OC Sheriff impact your position as mayor?

A: It doesn’t really impact the work I do as mayor, all it really does is literally remove all of my down time. Being retired — and I didn’t start running until June of this year — I still have plenty of down time. Even with city stuff, going to Sacramento and Washington D.C., running for Sheriff has just removed all of my down time.

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea on Tuesday offered high-level talks with rival North Korea meant to find ways to cooperate on the Winter Olympics set to begin in the South next month.

The offer came a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in his New Year’s address that he’s willing to send a delegation to the Olympics, though he also repeated nuclear threats against the United States. Analysts say Kim may be trying to drive a wedge between Seoul and its ally Washington as a way to ease international isolation and sanctions against North Korea.

South Korean Unification Minster Cho Myoung-gyon says the South proposes the two Koreas meet Jan. 9 at the border village of Panmunjom to discuss Olympic cooperation and how to improve overall ties.

If the talks are realized, Cho said South Korea will first focus on Olympic cooperation but also try to discuss a restoration of strained ties between the Koreas.

In his closely watched address, Kim said that the United States should be aware that his country’s nuclear forces are now a reality, not a threat. He said he has a “nuclear button” on his office desk.

He called for improved ties and a relaxation of military tensions with South Korea, saying the Winter Olympics could showcase the status of the Korean nation.

The New Year’s address is an annual event in North Korea and is watched closely for indications of the direction and priorities Kim may adopt in the year ahead.

North Korea last year conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test and test-launched three intercontinental ballistic missiles as part of its push to possess a nuclear missile capable of reaching anywhere in the United States.

Chimezie Metu has been suspended for a half-game by USC and Coach Andy Enfield after he was ejected for striking Washington State’s Carter Skaggs in the groin in an 89-71 victory over the Cougars on Sunday.

Metu, the Trojans’ leading scorer, will miss the first half of their Pac-12 Conference road opener at Cal on Thursday.

Enfield also stripped Metu of his captaincy as part of the team-issued discipline announced Monday evening. Bennie Boatwright and Jordan McLaughlin remain the other two captains.

With 5:43 left in the first half against Washington State, Metu ran toward Carter Skaggs as he launched a 3-point attempt from the corner of the Galen Center floor and then appeared to hit the guard in the groin, dropping his left arm below Skaggs’ waist rather than contesting the shot. After a review of the play, officials called a flagrant 2 foul on Metu, and he was ejected.

Metu, a 6-foot-11 junior forward and NBA prospect, has averaged 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds this season, both team highs.

The Pac-12 said it had reviewed the sequence and would not impose additional discipline.

“We commend USC and its leadership for taking swift action in response to this incident,” Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement.

USC said Metu also wrote an apology letter to Skaggs and the rest of the Washington State team.

“I understand there is no place in the game of basketball for such an unsportsmanlike action,” Metu said, according to the school.

Metu wrote, “a lack of judgment for a split second led to an action that I immediately regretted and had no business committing in the first place.”

Metu avoided a suspension last season when he attempted to trip Oregon forward Chris Boucher while sitting on the bench during the second half of an 81-70 loss.

The Trojans, who are 10-5 overall and 1-1 in conference after beginning the season ranked in the top 10, have already been without sophomore guard De’Anthony Melton for 15 games, as the university investigates his eligibility, connected to an FBI probe into bribery and corruption in college basketball.

Some big projects have taken their baby steps in 2017 for Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo.

From Laguna Niguel City Council’s ongoing battle to get a downtown district, to Aliso Viejo City Council’s approval of renovation plans for Aliso Viejo Ranch – 2018 might be the year these long-awaited projects break some ground.

Here are some of the stories on our radar for 2018:

Laguna Niguel’s Agora Project

Orange County will be soliciting new development proposals for the plans to give Laguna Niguel a “downtown” dining and entertainment district on a piece of undeveloped land near City Hall.

The undeveloped land, owned by the county, had been in the works to become a downtown project for the past two years. The $150 million project — dubbed the Agora Arts Project — was anticipated to bring the development to fruition with a deal by the county and Costa-Mesa based Lab Holding. However, the county Board of Supervisors called off the deal in August.

At a December Laguna Niguel City Council meeting, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett invited the city to be a part of an evaluation panel for the project, which will “ensure local community input,” a city  statement said. Laguna Niguel Mayor Elaine Gennawey said that the Agora Project will remain a priority to the council.

Laguna Niguel’s SunPointe project

The proposed SunPointe project — a development of 71 single-family homes to be built between Avenida Del Caballo and Saddleback Church — has been met by opposition from nearby residents. Those against the SunPointe project primarily do not agree with the Laguna Niguel Planning Commission’s decision in September to allow 71 single-family homes instead of a 53-home alternative.

Residents oppose the project largely due to overcrowding, traffic and parking concerns. Laguna Niguel City Council is expected to hold a public hearing on the approval of the project’s permit at its next meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Laguna Niguel Community Center

Crown Valley Park’s makeover will continue through 2018, with the Laguna Niguel Community Center in the works. Slated to open in 2019, the $25-million development will include an art room, fitness and dance room and a multi-purpose room with a 300-person dining capacity.

Aliso Viejo Town Center

Discussions of revitalizing the Aliso Viejo Town Center — a shopping center that consists of restaurants, shops and a movie theater — will continue throughout 2018.

To keep up with the construction of the Five Lagunas project in Laguna Hills and potential Agora Arts Project in Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo will need to be able to compete with its neighbors, Aliso Viejo Mayor Dave Harrington said.

Aliso Viejo Ranch

Plans for the Aliso Viejo Ranch project are in the works after years of discussion of what to do with the city’s last remaining parcel of the former 22,000-acre Moulton Ranch. The estimated $1.2-million plan approved in October revealed eight zones in the agricultural area: a fruit orchard, a native landscaping area with drought-tolerant native plants, a shaded gathering area, vine houses, a lath house (a solid-wood slatted structure), an aquaponics garden with raised beds and ponds, a nut orchard and a secret garden.

Hopes are high that ground will break on the ranch this year, Harrington said.

Project developments weren’t the only big-ticket items to make headlines in 2017, when investigations and a lawsuit took root.

Laguna Niguel former Councilman Jerry Slusiewicz

There are two ongoing investigations regarding former Councilman Jerry Slusiewicz.

The first is an investigation regarding accusations that Slusiewicz, before resigning as mayor in August, bullied city employees and administrators and tried to win favors for his children using his position. Slusiewicz said the accusations, which he has denied, came after his “watchdog” efforts and moves by the council and city staff to protect former City Manager Rod Foster, whom he claims was responsible for more than $410,000 in overpayments to a city contractor.

The second investigation looks into a possible bullet hole that went through Slusiewicz’s office window. Slusiewicz said the bullet hole is the reason he resigned from the city council on Tuesday, Dec. 5, suggesting that a possible shooting through his office window may not have been a random act of violence.

Moulton Niguel Water District lawsuit

A lawsuit filed in May against the Moulton Niguel Water Distict by the South Orange County Wastewater Authority, Laguna Beach and two south Orange County water districts is ongoing. The lawsuit alleges that Moulton Niguel failed to pay project costs for a wastewater treatment facility in Laguna Beach for nearly a year, resulting in nearly $760,000 in unpaid bills.

Tensions have risen since the lawsuit was filed, taking the tone of a political campaign between the water agencies.

A trial date is still to be determined, according to Moulton Niguel’s website.

The 57-story tower features 100 units priced from $1.5 million to more than $10 million.

Meghan Markle wore a key winter trend piece for her lunch with the Royal Family and we want it.

Families played away the last hours of 2017 in downtown Fullerton.

The city hosted its 26th First Night Fullerton, an alcohol- free community New Year’s Eve celebration that was capped off with a fireworks display at midnight.

The event featured zip-lining down Harbor Boulevard, games and bands playing.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation honored Heather Heyer, the 32-year-old counter-protester killed at an August white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Monday by inviting her mother to ride on its 2018 Tournament of Roses parade float.

Susan Bro helped found the Heather Heyer Foundation after her daughter was killed in order to provide scholarships for students who seek to work on social justice issues, She was one of 10 guests invited to ride the float, which honored the upcoming 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s death.

The float honored King and other social justice advocates like Heyer, who “stood up to hate and injustice at risk of their own lives,” according to a AIDS Healthcare Foundation statement.

“My daughter Heather stood bravely for unity and against hate and always believed in dialogue and discussion as the keys to peace,” Bro said in a statement.

In a symbolic act, the float riders wore purple scarves in tribute to Heyer because purple was her favorite color, according to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation statement.