The Orange County Probation Department (OC Probation) celebrated the 25th annual Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision (PPPS) Week during July 21-July 27, 2024. This weeklong event, recognized nationally, celebrates the dedication and critical contributions of over 90,000 community corrections professionals across the United States.  This year’s theme: Wellness Unveiled: Navigating the Journey underscores the importance of employee wellness in view of the demands of the vital work performed by community corrections staff daily.

The Orange County Probation Department’s 1000-member workforce serves the community daily by ensuring that those who come under their care and supervision receive the services and resources necessary to effect positive changes in their lives.  Probation spans public safety and social services, rehabilitating supervised individuals and preparing them for successful reentry using individualized, evidence-based strategies that changes behaviors and lives.   

Chief Daniel Hernandez stated, “It is humbling to see the outcomes of the work of our dedicated staff.  Each member of the department supports our mission to inspire and support change in those we supervise.  Through the efforts of our staff, combined with the work of our community partners, we see our clients change their lives and accomplish their goals.”

Recognition events were held throughout the week acknowledging the expertise, compassion and commitment each staff member exercises in their work.  Additionally, the Probation Department’s Peer Support program, facilitated by employees who receive specific training to assist peers during difficult times, hosted several wellness fairs to encourage health and wellness amongst the employees. 

Deputy Probation Officer Gelene Gutierrez, a peer support team member, noted “Peer Support is important as we work in an environment that is high intensity. We need to have support within our department with our peers as they are the unique group of people who truly understand and empathize with what we go through on an everyday basis. Peer Support aids those who need it without any judgement”.

Chief Hernandez added, “I’m very excited to celebrate the great work of all of our employees.  This year’s theme of “Wellness Unveiled” highlights the need for staff who work in such demanding and sometimes stressful environments to take care of themselves, each other and ultimately, when we do, we can provide the best services possible to our clients.”

About the Orange County Probation Department  

As a public safety agency, the Orange County Probation Department serves the community using effective, research supported rehabilitation practices and collaborative partnerships to successfully resocialize justice involved individuals. The Probation Department is proud to serve the Orange County community. It is dedicated to continuous improvement, searching out and applying “effective and research supported practices" to assist justice involved youth, their families, and adults to successfully navigate and successfully complete probation. Further, the Probation Department assists the criminal court system through investigations, probation reports and community supervision of thousands of adult and juvenile clients on court-ordered probation or in diversion programs. The Department operates the Orange County Juvenile Hall, and two camps for youth. In addition, the Department operates two Youth Reporting Centers serving North and Central Orange County. 

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ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (July 25, 2024) – OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy. 

Henry Winkler, best known for his iconic role as “The Fonz” on the classic television show Happy Days, has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning over five decades in Hollywood. In addition to his work on screen, Winkler has also made a significant impact as a children’s book author, co-writing the popular Hank Zipzer series, inspired by his own experiences with dyslexia. His autobiography, BEING HENRY... The Fonz and Beyond, was published last October. It was on the New York Times best-seller list for 11 weeks and was a Good Reads Award winner for Best Humor book.

This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging.

(SANTA ANA, CA) – The Orange County Fire Authority, alongside our partners at John Wayne Airport, announced the arrival of a new Crash 3 vehicle, a state-of-the-art apparatus designed to enhance our emergency response capabilities. To mark this significant addition, we hosted a traditional “push-in” ceremony on Monday, July 8, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at OCFA Fire Station 33.

Equipped with the latest technology and safety features, Crash 3 significantly improves our efficiency and effectiveness in managing incidents, particularly those involving aircraft fires and flammable liquids. Key features of the new Crash 3 vehicle include:

• Advanced Fire Suppression Systems: Equipped with high-capacity foam and dry chemical systems to tackle complex fire scenarios.
• Enhanced Rescue Capabilities: State-of-the-art tools and equipment designed for rapid and safe extrication of victims. 
• Improved Communication Systems: Cutting-edge communication technology to ensure seamless coordination with other emergency services.

B-roll and interviews: https://vimeo.com/985286123/189eb2b828?share=copy
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ocfa_pio/albums/72177720318668684/ 

Historical Significance of the Push-In Ceremony:
The “push-in” ceremony is an honored tradition in fire service history, dating back to the 1800s when fire departments used horse-drawn equipment. After returning from a call, firefighters had to disconnect the horses and manually push the fire apparatus back into the station. This tradition has continued to today to welcome new apparatus into service.

Orange County Fire Authority Contact:
Captain Greg Barta 
714-357-7782

John Wayne Airport Media Contact:
AnnaSophia Servin 
AServin@ocair.com
949-252-5182

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John Wayne Airport (SNA) is owned by the County of Orange and is operated as a self-supporting enterprise that receives no general fund tax revenue. The Airport serves more than 11.3 million passengers annually and reaches more than 40 nonstop destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. More information can be found at www.ocair.com. Like us on facebook.com/johnwayneairport, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @johnwayneair and Instagram @johnwayneair.

To receive John Wayne Airport news releases automatically, go to www.ocair.com and click Subscribe.

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ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (July 23, 2024) – OC Public Libraries is proud to announce its selection as one of eight libraries to receive the Sustainable California Libraries grant from the California State Library.  This $75,000 grant is designed to promote sustainability through resource sharing, improving efficiency, and creative reuse. 

The project “Sharing Resources, Building Community” will introduce a curated collection of Library of Things at six branches strategically distributed across Orange County during fiscal year 2024-2025. This collection will include a selection of gardening tools, home efficiency kits, induction cooktops, sewing machines, Cricut machines, and other items for the community to share. OC Public Libraries will actively seek input from library users at these locations to help grow their branch’s Library of Things collection. In addition to the Library of Things expansion, OC Public Libraries will host a series of workshops and events focusing on sustainable gardening, creative reuse/upcycling, mending, efficiency practices, and more with dates to be announced later this year. 

OC Public Libraries began a Library of Things collection earlier this year with a pilot program at six branches lending outdoor games and musical instruments, and will be expanding to the Fountain Valley, Laguna Niguel, and Los Alamitos-Rossmoor branches by Fall 2024 with collections of children’s toys and kitchen tools. The Library of Things promotes resource sharing, reduces consumption, and helps community members save money by borrowing instead of buying. The grant will expand Library of Things collections at the Costa Mesa-Donald Dungan, San Clemente, and Westminster branches in addition to creating new collections at the El Toro, La Habra, and San Juan Capistrano branches. 

Interested in checking out items from the OC Public Libraries’ Library of Things? Visit the Costa Mesa, Cypress, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Tustin, and Westminster branches. 

For more information on OC Public Libraries’ Library of Things please visit https://ocpl.org/books-more/library-things 

The addition of this detection dog will greatly enhance shipment inspections that protect Orange County agricultural industry and the local environment.

ORANGE, CA – Orange County’s Agricultural Commissioner’s office within OC Public Works recently added a four-legged colleague to its inspection team.

Orange County was selected as the next county in California to receive a “detection dog,” which is used to protect the local agricultural industry and the environment by helping inspect incoming plant shipments.  The program enhances the Agricultural Commissioner team’s effectiveness at intercepting harmful plant pests coming from areas outside of Orange County – pests that could be detrimental to the county’s agricultural industry and economy. 

Bear, a 2-year-old male Labrador Retriever, and his handler, inspector Vanessa Ochoa, made history as the Agricultural Commissioner office’s first canine team that is leading the County’s new Detection Dog Team program. 

“Launching our new detection dog program is a very exciting milestone and is another effective tool we have to ensure we deliver effective, industry-leading inspection services,” said Jose Arriaga, Orange County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures. “Ultimately, this program serves as a tremendous benefit for consumers.”

Detection dogs are capable of detecting shipments of concealed agricultural commodities, such as nursery stock and fruit, that can be vectors for pests and diseases. With a detection dog alerting its handler to the presence of such shipments, the Agricultural Commissioner office’s licensed inspectors can more thoroughly capture and screen agricultural shipments to better safeguard Orange County’s agricultural industry from the threat of non-native and injurious pests of concern. 

Vanessa and her new canine partner underwent an 8-week training program in Georgia, receiving their certification through the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center. Vanessa and Bear worked together to build their teamwork and skills in detecting a variety of agricultural commodity packages transported via conveyor belts, delivery trucks, airlines and postal carts. 

In 2023, the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner’s office inspected over 37,600 Incoming plant shipments at shipping distribution centers and plant nurseries throughout the county, issuing 364 Notice of Rejections and intercepting 209 pests. Over 580 plant shipments were also inspected and certified for export through the United States and other countries to ensure products were free of exotic pests and diseases. Agriculture continues to be a leading industry in Orange County, which on average has a production value of approximately $90 million.

The opportunity to launch the Orange County’s dog inspection team was made possible with funding from federal Farm Bill (approximately $250K/year), in partnership with the CA Department of Food and Agriculture and CA Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association.

Orange County joins 11 other counties throughout the state that have detection dog programs, including Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino Counties.

Orange County’s Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures office promotes environmental quality, protects consumers and sustains business competitiveness through education, regulation and regional programs.

The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures office is within the OC Environmental Resources service area of Orange County Public Works (OCPW). For more information about the Agricultural Commissioner’s office, visit https://ocerac.ocpublicworks.com. For more information about OCPW, visit www.OCPublicWorks.com or follow us on social media using #OCPublicWorks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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(SANTA ANA, CA) – The Destination Gallery at John Wayne Airport is currently hosting the exhibition Experience Brea Arts, a showcase of the diverse art programs run by the City of Brea. For nearly 50 years, the City of Brea has been dedicated to the arts. Fully funded by the City of Brea, impressive programs provide rich cultural experiences for Brea residents and visitors.

Located in the Brea Civic and Cultural Center, the Curtis Theatre is a 199-seat venue that hosts a variety of plays, musicals, concerts, recitals, and community events year-round. This municipal facility opened in 1980 to highlight the performing arts in Brea and provide a place for guest artists from around the world to showcase their talent. In 1982, the theatre was named for Dr. Glenn Curtis, a philanthropist and patron of the arts who practiced medicine in Brea from 1927 to 1959.  

Brea’s Art in Public Places Program was established in 1975 and was among the first art in private development programs in the country. Since its inception, an impressive 200 individual sculptures have been installed in the small and bustling city’s 12-mile radius, making it one of the most established and robust public art collections in the region. Visitors can go online to view an interactive map with photos and locations of the sculptures to take themselves on a self-guided tour of the collection.

The Brea Gallery is a sprawling contemporary art space established in 1980 at the Brea Civic and Cultural Center. With 6,500 sq ft of exhibition space and floor-to-ceiling windows, it is one of the largest in the region run and funded by a city. The space hosts four exhibitions per year, including the renowned The Brea Gallery is a sprawling contemporary art space established in 1980 at the Brea Civic and Cultural Center. With 6,500 sq ft of exhibition space and floor-to-ceiling windows, it is one of the largest in the region run and funded by a city. The space hosts four exhibitions per year, including the renowned Made in California regional exhibition, plus a wide variety of workshops and programming; the Brea Gallery has become a must-visit destination in Orange County for dynamic, culturally relevant, and progressive contemporary art.

Brea Gallery featured artist Mary E Kudlak was introduced to the gallery via the Made in California exhibition last year and most recently was invited to show a body of work in their Through the Dreamhouse exhibition in January. A selection of these works, acrylic paintings of local Southern California streetscapes filled with comical imagery and exaggerated perspectives, are shown alongside photographs of the Gallery’s past exhibitions.

This exhibition will be on view through September 2, 2024. The Destination Gallery is located on the upper level on the non-secure side of the airport between Terminals B & C.

For more information about the arts in Brea, visit www.experiencebreaarts.com.

For more information about the John Wayne Airport Arts Program,
visit www.ocair.com/terminal/artexhibits. 

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John Wayne Airport (SNA) is owned by the County of Orange and is operated as a self-supporting enterprise that receives no general fund tax revenue. The Airport serves more than 11.3 million passengers annually and reaches more than 40 nonstop destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. More information can be found at www.ocair.com. Like us on facebook.com/johnwayneairport, or follow us on Twitter @johnwayneair and Instagram @johnwayneair.

To receive John Wayne Airport news releases automatically, go to www.ocair.com and click Subscribe.

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Orange County, Calif. (July 15, 2024) – The County of Orange is pleased to announce S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the County from its AA+ issuer credit rating (ICR) to AAA, representing the highest credit quality and lowest risk of default in the industry. S&P made this announcement today, highlighting the County’s strong budgetary performance during the past two years, a substantial increase in general fund reserves and a very strong local economy.

“The responsible allocation of resources, along with good checks and balances puts the County in a better fiscal standing now and well into the future. We must continue to keep our belts tightened and work hard to keep this rating for years to come,” said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District Supervisor. 

Each year since 2005, a Strategic Financial Plan (SFP) is developed and published to help safeguard the County’s ability to respond to economic changes and unanticipated events and to ensure its resources and programs are aligned with Countywide strategic priorities and values. 

“The County has come a long way to improve its financial standing, while also creating innovative programs and improving existing services for our residents. The AAA rating from S&P is a testament to the hard work of our employees and the sound judgement in financial decisions made by Orange County,” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor.

To ensure financial transparency with the community, the CEO Budget & Finance Office conducts public workshops held throughout the budget development cycle to encourage feedback as they work on the Strategic Financial Plan and the Recommended Budget. A public feedback form on its website, cfo.ocgov.com, welcomes input at any time from the community and regional stakeholders.

“Over the years, the County has put strong reforms in place and demonstrated our ability to manage taxpayers' money in a responsible fashion. The County is in a much better position fiscally and in turn, better prepared for contingencies as they arise,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District.

S&P cited the County’s very strong management as contributing to the strong budgetary performance and upgrade to AAA.

“The AAA rating demonstrates our continued commitment to responsible fiscal governance that helps our departments continue delivering essential programs, resources and services in an efficient, cost-effective manner to our most vulnerable residents, including seniors, working families and our unhoused neighbors,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Second District.

“By receiving the AAA rating the County of Orange demonstrated our return to strong financial health. This year for the first time ever, the County met our catastrophic event contingency goals and fully funded our general fund reserves, all while expanding services to our most vulnerable communities,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District. 

As the County of Orange transitions from the leadership of former County Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Kim to Acting CEO and Chief Financial Officer Michelle Aguirre, the enhanced rating is especially meaningful as they worked in partnership over the past nine years to ensure a continued sound and complete recovery from the nationally unprecedented 1994 bankruptcy.

“Over the past nine years the County team has worked diligently on behalf of the citizens of Orange County to build a firm foundation for the future through policy improvements and intense strategic planning. The AAA rating is attributed to our commitment to the long-term strategic financial planning that is the foundation of developing our budget each year,” said Acting CEO Michelle Aguirre.

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(Dana Point, Calif.) – OC Parks recently installed the first community-driven shoreline monitoring location in Orange County. Located along the Strands Beach access ramp (map included in Press Images), the CoastSnap station encourages community members to help with coastal monitoring efforts. 

The CoastSnap station includes a smartphone cradle and instructions on how to upload and submit a photo of the shoreline. Residents and visitors alike are invited to place their phones in the cradle and snap a photo. The cradle is set at a precise location and angle to ensure the public is capturing consistent images. Afterward, the public is asked to scan a QR code to then upload the photo. From there, the images are sent to OC Parks and will be used to assist with monitoring seasonal and long-term beach width. The cradle works in conjunction with surveyed control points and time stamps allowing for photos to be stitched together, accounting for tidal variations.

“I am excited to bring the first CoastSnap station to Orange County and harness the power of the community to help protect our coast,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Coastal erosion threatens our coastal communities, economy and way of life here in Orange County. This CoastSnap station serves as a valuable tool to measure how much coastal erosion impacts our beaches. By engaging residents in this important endeavor, we will gather valuable data while serving as good stewards over our beaches.”

CoastSnap, developed by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), is a global citizen science project to help researchers better understand the coastlines and safeguard them for future generations. Currently, there are five other CoastSnap stations in California located in San Diego County. In addition to the CoastSnap station, a new interpretive sign has been installed complementing the CoastSnap station with narrative descriptions and images demonstrating seasonal and long-term changes of the shoreline.

The installation of the CoastSnap station marks the completion of the Niguel Shores Revetment Restoration Project. As part of the Coastal Development Permit issued by the California Coastal Commission for this project aimed at enhancing shoreline protection, OC Parks is responsible for complying with a Shore Zone Monitoring Plan. Seasonal transect surveys will be conducted to monitor any movement of the revetment and photos collected through the CoastSnap station will further aide in these efforts. 

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OC Parks

OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

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(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency Environmental Health Division has closed the harbor water area between the Pilgrim Dock, Youth Dock, and Baby Beach in the Dana Point Harbor due to a sewage spill of approximately 20 gallons, which was caused by a blockage in nearby restroom facilities. 
 
The affected bay water area will remain closed to ocean water-contact sports until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.
 
For information regarding Orange County ocean, bay, or harbor postings and closures, please call (714) 433-6400 or visit ocbeachinfo.com. To report a sewage spill, please call (714) 433-6419.

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TUSTIN, Calif. (July 2, 2024) – It's widely reported that more pets go missing during July 4th celebrations than any other holiday throughout the year.  As we prepare in Orange County to celebrate with fireworks, barbeques and festivities, OC Animal Care is urging pet parents to make a plan and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their furry family members. 

What you should do now before celebrations begin: 

• Update collars and tags: Ensure your pets have a properly fitted collar and that ID tags have current, legible contact information. 
• Microchip: If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, consider visiting your veterinarian or a low-cost pet clinic to get one.  If your pet does have a microchip, be sure to check the chip registration to confirm your contact information is up-to-date and accurate.  
• Consider creature comforts: A thunder shirt, pet specific calming sprays, or even a busy, food related toy like a lick mat, Kong, or snuffle mat may help reduce anxiety or give your pet something to focus on. Plan ahead for what may help your pet feel less stressed.  
• Visit the vet: If your pet has a high level of anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about safe and effective medication options or over-the-counter remedies that may help reduce anxiety and follow your veterinarian's guidance on administering them. 

It’s important to remember that these celebrations can be a source of anxiety and danger for our pets. Especially when fireworks light up the sky, many dogs experience heightened anxiety and stress due to loud noises and commotion. To help alleviate this, OC Animal Care is offering essential tips to ensure that pets remain safe and calm.  

What you should do during festivities: 

• Keep pets indoors: Fireworks can be frightening and disorienting for pets. Keep them inside in a quiet, secure area to minimize stress. 
• Create a safe space: Set up a comfortable space with their favorite toys, blankets, and a cozy bed. Consider playing calming music or using white noise like a television to drown out the fireworks. 
• Avoid human food: Keep pets away from barbecue and picnic foods, which can be harmful to them. Ensure they have access to their regular pet food and water. 
• Secure doors and windows: Close all doors, windows, and pet flaps to prevent pets from running away if they get scared. 
• Exercise pets during the day: Take your pets for a walk or engage them in playtime earlier in the day to tire them out before the fireworks begin.  Be sure to keep them on a leash and limit free-roaming back-yard time as firework noise may interrupt their routine at all hours. 

OC Animal Care, like most animal shelters in Southern California as well as throughout the US, are already at critical capacity.  Every 4th of July, animal shelters across the country experience an increase in incoming dogs as they flee their homes from the loud fireworks. The shelter is in desperate need of fosters throughout the next few weeks to free up available space for new, incoming animals lost around the holiday.   

The shelter is asking for a 2–3-week commitment to give a dog the opportunity to spend time out of a kennel and in the comfort of a loving home while freeing up critical space for newly stray dogs to hopefully be reunited with their family. By fostering a dog that was in the shelter pre-holiday, you can provide a shelter dog with a calm and secure environment, while creating space for more animals in need.  OC Animal Care will also provide each foster family with a starter kit containing food and basic supplies including a leash, collar, and tags for your temporary housemate.     

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