2021 Press Releases

Numerous tax-delinquent properties may be hitting the auction block on August 18, with online bidding open to members of the general public who have completed a pre-registration process by August 10.

The County of Orange will hold five redistricting workshops across Orange County in August.
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Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich announced that 54,478 unsecured property tax bills totaling over $320 million have been mailed to the names of the property owners on the most recent tax roll. These unsecured property tax bills are now available online at ocgov.com/octaxbill

AsOrange County continues to experience increasing COVID-19 cases andhospitalizations, the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the OCHealth Care Agency (HCA) leadership are encouraging residents to stayvigilant with COVID-19 prevention measures, testing and vaccinations inorder to keep our residents safe and businesses open.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® (CBTL) brings more food and beverageoptions to John Wayne Airport, with three new locations now open inTerminal A, B (pre-security, lower level), and C. Known for theirsignature Ice Blended® beverages and freshly brewed coffee and tea, CBTLalso offers a variety of on-the-go food items, including baked goods,breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and snacks.

Inpartnership with the Orange County Workforce DevelopmentBoard (OCWDB), the County of Orange (County) is launching a new careerinitiative with Futuro Health to provide job seeker opportunities inhigh-demand healthcare occupations.

Public health officials at the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) areencouraging residents to take adequate safety precautions in the wake ofincreasing COVID-19 cases in the county. Currently, there are no plansto implement a new mask mandate in Orange County; however, those who are not fully vaccinated must continue wearing a mask indoors in accordance with guidelines from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Artist Sandra Chen-Weinstein brings her creative artwork to John WayneAirport in a new exhibit featuring street-style documentary photographyemphasizing social identity and culture. Her work is displayed in theThomas F. Riley Terminal as part of the JWA Community Focus Spacethrough August 19, 2021.

OrangeCounty is taking a data-driven approach to addressing inequality andresource disparities. On July 14, the County will launch a new mappingtool that monitors Orange County's health and social gaps.

Irvine Company is once again the No. 1 taxpayer in Orange County with $76,378,600 in total secured tax payments for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Charter Communications is the top unsecured taxpayer with $3,692,746.

The County of Orange is partnering with Entertainment^® to help local businesses get free valuable exposure by featuring them on a mobile application known as the Entertainment Mobile App (App). This application will allow owners to grow their business by advertising and connecting with new customers as California reopens.

The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally the highest intake time foranimal shelters across the country. In preparation for the upcoming holiday, OC Animal Care presentsresidents with the following tips to ensure a safe and happy celebration for pets and their owners.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will reopen another regional office location to the public effective Tuesday.

Public health officials at the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) haveannounced that, as of June 27, 2021, 70% of Orange County residents age18 and older have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19vaccine, reaching a huge milestone for the County.

Governor Gavin Newsom just signed a number of executive order extensions, including one that has extended a prior order affecting property taxes that expired on May 6. This new order extends the deadline for submitting the Secured PropertyTax Penalty Cancellation Request Form and payment of base property taxes for homeowners and small businesses that were unable to deliver payment by May 6 due to an impact from COVID-19.

As a professional artist and practicing occupational therapist, Rebecca Bray incorporates art as a tool to improve individuals' functional abilities and quality of life. Bray's artwork referencing impressionism and abstract expressionism is inspired by her interpersonal relationships, travels, and nature. It is featured in a new exhibit in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal as part of the John Wayne Airport Community Focus Space through July 15, 2021.

The County of Orange Social Service Agency (SSA) is pleased to announce Jamie Cargo as the Agency's new Public Information Officer(PIO). Cargo will be responsible for SSA's public-facing communication campaigns and strategies, including all aspects of media relations and social media for the Agency’s more than 4,200 employees.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has announced that the state will move "Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy" by June 15, 2021.

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department hasbeen recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Associationof Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective countygovernment programs that strengthen services for residents.

The County of Orange anticipates an increased demand for first doseCOVID-19 vaccinations after Governor Newsom's announcement on May 27,2021 that the State of California has launched "Vax for the Win," a COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program.

TheOC Health Care Agency's Environmental Health (EH) Division has closedan ocean water and beach area in Bolsa Chica State Beach at and directlyadjacent to the location of whale remains.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in April 2021 as compared to April 2020.

The County of Orange's Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Recommended Budget has been released for review by the Board of Supervisors and the public.

The unsecured property low value exemption for business equipment, boats and aircraft has been increased to $7,500 following a vote by the Board of Supervisors.

On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommendation for fully vaccinated people and announcedthat they "...no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance inany setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, orterritorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local businesses andworkplace guidance."

After being forced to halt passport services due to pandemic closures, COVID-19 numbers drastically falling, and demand for travel increasing daily, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is pleased to announce the resumption of passport services at his department, signaling a steady return to normalcy.

Orange County parents and legal guardiansof minors ages 12 to 15 can now schedule a COVID-19 vaccinationappointment or walk-in to County of Orange Point-of-Dispensing (POD)sites offering Pfizer.

Officials with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and John WayneAirport today announced the opening of the Fly Well Clinic, making JWAone of just a few airports across the nation to offer travelers onsiteCOVID-19 vaccinations, urgent care, telehealth consultations and vitalscreenings.

Thursday is the finalday for homeowners and small businesses to pay base property tax withoutpenalty and complete and submit the COVID-19 penalty cancellation request formif they have been directly affected by COVID-19.

The OC Health Care Agency's 2019-2020 Biennial Ocean, Harbor & BayWater Quality Report is now available online and provides a yearlyanalysis of bacteriological water quality data over a 20-year period forOrange County’s ocean recreational waters.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency(SSA) is pleased to announce the availability of its Fiscal Year (FY)2019-2020 Annual Report, covering the period fromJuly 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

On Thursday, April 29, the County of Orangewill make Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccination appointmentsavailable through the Othena platform and the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000 and will resume administering J&J on Sunday, May 2.

TheOrange County Workforce Development Board (OCDB) was awarded a Veterans'Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP) grant by the California EmploymentDevelopment Department (EDD) for the amount of $500,000 to help veterans findjobs.

As of April 30, 2021, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) DisneylandDrive-Thru Super Point-of-Dispensing (POD) site in Anaheim will close.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-offexpired, unused or unwanted prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. at the 20th "National Take Back Day" on Saturday, April 24 atnumerous locations throughout Orange County.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in March 2021as compared to March 2020. In March 2021, the Airport served 385,396passengers, an increase of 14.0% when compared with the March 2020passenger traffic count of 337,981.

The County of Orange and Orange County (OC) Human Relations Commission are inviting the public to participate in Addressing Race-Based Hate Together, a series of virtual stakeholder input meetings focused on racism in the Orange County community.

In conjunction with April's National Poetry Month, OC Public Libraries is partnering with LibroMobile Arts Co-Op to launch the inaugural OC Poet Laureate (OC-PL) and OC Youth Poet Laureate (OCYPL) programs in Orange County.

Artist Brad Neal brings mixed media artwork to JohnWayne Airport, featuring watercolor and ink line drawings that capture theessential character and architectural detail of the environments he creates.His work is on display in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal as part of the JWACommunity Focus Space through May 20, 2021.

OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) has been granted a six-month variance waiver to allow the disposal of Treated Wood Waste (TWW) at two landfill sites in Orange County, beginning April 16, 2021.

An exhibition featuring the creative talents of professional OrangeCounty artists specializing in the use of hot glass makes a luminousdebut at John Wayne Airport in a new exhibit titled 'Hot Glass/OC'through October 2021.

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) isrecommending a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19vaccine out of an abundance of caution. This recommendation comesafter six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe blood clot type inindividuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Thispause will be in place until the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)completes a review of the reported cases.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) will close its COVID-19 testing SuperSites at the OC Fair & Event Center and the Anaheim ConventionCenter on April 30, 2021.

Guests without a boarding pass can access the secure areas of the JohnWayne Airport Terminal with an OC AirPASS (post-security access pass) toshop, dine, watch planes, and greet friends and relatives when theyarrive at the gate or accompany them before their flight.

County of Orange public health officials continue to encourage residents to get tested for COVID-19 to help slow the spread of the virus until vaccines become more widely available.

Effective April 1, 2021, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is pleased to announce the following service updates to the department’s document recording and marriage services:

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in February2021 as compared with February 2020. In February 2021, the Airportserved 227,402 passengers, a decrease of 70.3% when compared with theFebruary 2020 passenger traffic count of 764,506

At the March 23 Orange County Board of Supervisors Meeting, the board unanimously approved the appointment of Francine Scinto to the Treasury Oversight Committee. Ms. Scinto joins a team of financial experts on the Treasury Oversight Committee, including elected Huntington Beach City Treasurer Alisa Backstrom, Richard Rohm, CPA and Partner of Rohm and Rohm CPAs, Gary Capata, CPA and Partner of CAPATA, County Executive Officer Frank Kim, elected Orange County Superintendent of Schools Al Mijares and Orange County Auditor Controller Frank Davies.

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OC Public Libraries is hosting the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read this spring! Lab Girl by Hope Jahren is the selected title this year for its focus on women in science. From March through May, 2021, program offerings will include Science Technology Engineering Arts Math (S.T.E.A.M.) activities, guest speakers, and other engaging offerings that keep library users connected with Lab Girl.

Today, the County of Orange is opening a COVID-19 MobileClinic vaccination site at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.

Beginning today, the Christ Cathedral MobileClinic will operate on three successive Wednesdays for first-dose Pfizervaccinations and three consecutive Wednesdays for second-dose vaccinations.Vaccinations are by appointment only and are scheduled from 9 am – 2:30 pm.

TUSTIN, Calif. (March 10, 2021) – OC Animal Care is open to house dogs, cats, and small pets for Orange County residents relocated as a result of an Evacuation Order (Mandatory) for Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon, and Modjeska Canyon in the Bond Fire burn area.

On Tuesday, March 9,2021, the State of California announced that Orange County (OC) has achievedone week of improved metrics according to the California Department of PublicHealth's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which takes a County’s seven-day adjustedcase rate, the seven-day testing positivity rate and the health equity metricinto consideration.

Orange County will conduct a post-election audit beginning Thursday, March 11, 2021. The post-election audit consists of a hand verification of paperballots cast in order to provide evidence that the outcome is correct.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is pleased to announce the availability of its Families and Communities Together (FaCT) platform annual report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020, covering the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. The report addresses the critical role that FaCT and its network of 15 Family Resource Centers (FRCs) play in the County's efforts to ensure children in Orange County grow up in stable, nurturing families and safe, supportive communities.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in January2021 as compared with January 2020. In January 2021, the Airport served195,290 passengers, a decrease of 75.8% when compared with the January2020 passenger traffic count of 806,386.

The Disneyland Resort Super POD site will close temporarily, due to a lack of vaccine supply. Please click one of the following links for more information in your preferred language:

The Orange County Health Care Agency plans to open a new Super POD site at the Anaheim Convention Center, increasing vaccine dispensing capacity as more people are due to receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Professional oil painter Andrea Tarman brings an uplifting exhibit of realistic and abstract florals full of depth, color, and texture to John Wayne Airport. Her work is on display in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal as part of the JWA Community Focus Space from February 16 – March 16, 2021.

John Wayne Airport is excited to welcome two new commercial airline carriers and add several new nonstop destinations, providing increased service to our lineup and even greater options for travelers.Beginning February 12, 2021, Allegiant Air will begin service to JWA, flying nonstop to Boise, ID; Grand Junction, CO; Medford, OR; Missoula, MT; Provo, UT; Las Vegas and Reno, NV; and Spokane, WA.

Accuracy testing of Orange County's voting system will commence on February 16, 2021, and will continue until all devices have been included in the test. Due to the lengthy process of including all devices in the test, the Logic and Accuracy Test Tally may not commence until a minimum of a week after the test begins. The Logic and Accuracy test is required by law to be performed prior to each election. Logic and Accuracy tests will include proofing the programming of the ballot, each ballot style and each contest position on the ballot. The process is open to the public.

John Wayne Airport is pleased to announce the debut of a new OC Parks display showcasing 60,000 acres of parkland and historical space now featured in the Orange County: Destination Art & Culture exhibit through December 2021. Stroll through the pedestrian walkway, connecting Terminals B and C (pre-security) to view the art, history, and culture of Orange County's award-winning parks and programs.

The Orange County (OC) Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board, is taking the OC One-Stop Center to the streets. The OC One-Stop Mobile Unit (Mobile Unit) will provide access to education and training services traditionally offered by the OC One-Stop Center for youth, adults, dislocated workers, and businesses while reducing transmission and preparing the workforce for post-COVID-19 return.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that maintenance of its benefits eligibility and determination system will be performed on Saturday, February 6 and Sunday February 7, 2021. This scheduled work will lead to a system outage. As a result, the SSA Call Center will have limited functionality on Saturday, February 6th, and drive-through benefits issuance of Golden State Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Cards (BIC) will be suspended for that day.

The State of California’s Emergency Services Authority (EMSA), in partnership with the County of Orange’s Orange County (OC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team, has established an Oxygen Depot at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in the City of Irvine.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department has issued a voluntary evacuation effective 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 28^th, 2021 for the Bond Fire burn area due to potential flooding and debris flow.

Large animal owners under an evacuation warning (voluntary) order are encouraged to implement their personal evacuation plans BEFORE the rain starts.

The County of Orange will launch an Emergency Rental Assistance program on February 1, 2021 and will accept applications for a period of one month from eligible renter households with unpaid rent or utilities bills due to the impact of COVID-19.

On February 26, 2021, the County of Orange and Orange County (OC) Human Relations Commission are inviting the public to participate in Health Equity Issues & the Community Experience, the second virtual listening session of a COVID-19 discrimination-based series. This event follows Understanding Our Implicit Biases & Community Experiences, the first virtual listening session of the series held in October 2020.

Supervisor Andrew Do has been chosen unanimously by his Board colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors for 2021. Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District, will serve as the Board’s Vice Chairman.

On Monday, January 18, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) directed providers to pause dispensing COVID-19 vaccine Moderna Lot # 041L20A due to reported cases of adverse reactions in California.Late last night, CDPH announced that after further discussions with the Western State Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, Allergy and Immunology specialists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the manufacturer, CDPH found no scientific basis to continue the pause.

The County of Orange is opening its second regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super Point of Dispensing (POD) site at Soka University in Aliso Viejo on Saturday, January 23, 2021 starting at 8:00 am.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in December 2020 as compared with December 2019. In December 2020, the Airport served 231,033 passengers, a decrease of 74.1% when compared with the December 2019 passenger traffic count of 891,492. Commercial aircraft operations decreased 49.1% and commuter aircraft operations increased 12.9% when compared with December 2019 levels.

Based on directive from the State, the Orange CountyHealth Care Agency (HCA) has suspended the use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine lot041L20A due to possible allergic reactions under investigation by the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA),and the manufacturer. To date, the HCA has received zero notifications ofallergic reactions requiring medical attention due to any Moderna vaccines.

Artist Russell Pierce brings mixed media artwork to John Wayne Airportfeaturing traditional art combined with digital design applications tocreate unique pieces in a new exhibit fittingly called "Travelogue." Hiswork is on display in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal as part of the JWACommunity Focus Space from January 14 – February 16, 2021.

In a vital step to help battle the spread of COVID-19, the County of Orange has established the first large Point-of-Dispensing (POD) site to provide COVID-19 vaccines to residents at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

The County of Orange is proactively leading Orange County's response to COVID-19. The next critical phase is providing the vaccine to residents in a phased, tiered approach.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in June 2021 as compared to June 2020. In June 2021, the Airport served 730,144 passengers, an increase of 302.3% when compared with the June 2020 passenger traffic count of 181,486 and a decrease of 20.5% when compared to June 2019 of 918,913 passengers.