(Santa Ana, CA) – In preparation for summertime when many Orange County (OC) residents increase time spent at a favorite beach or pool, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages residents to attend Water Safety Challenge events on Saturday, May 20 at many local pools and beaches to make drowning prevention a key part of water activities.
 
At the Water Safety Challenge events, families will rotate through a series of stations designed to teach water safety skills. These include CPR, safe water rescue, and in-water skills for kids such as floating on their backs, treading water, swimming to the side of the pool, and more. These and other activities allow parents to evaluate a child’s swimming ability along with their strengths and weaknesses in the water.
 
Children and parents will also be instructed on the “ABCs” of water safety which are:

• Active Adult supervision
• Barriers around pools and spas
• Classes on swimming and CPR.

“Drowning is a leading cause of death for children under age five in Orange County,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services. “Knowing the ABCs of water safety and other drowning prevention tips will help residents more easily remember ways to keep their children and loved ones safe around pools and beaches.”   

The HCA along with the OC Drowning Prevention Coalition DrowningPreventionOC.org and the Jasper Ray Foundation https://jasperray.org/ sponsor the Water Safety Challenge and drowning prevention efforts in Orange County. Drowning consistently remains the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years of age, and among the top-five leading causes for those under the age of 18 years, both in Orange County and California. Each year, near drowning incidents also result in life-long disabilities. Drowning is also a risk for older adults, specifically those 50 and older, with drowning incidents among this age group more likely to result in fatalities.
 
Water Safety Challenges are being held in Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Orange and Tustin. For more information on locations and times, please visit https://drowningpreventionoc.org/water-safety-day-events/.

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(SANTA ANA, Calif.) – The Orange County Destination Arts and Culture program at John Wayne Airport highlights local cultural landmarks in Orange County for travelers to learn about and add to their travel itinerary. This spring, the Airport partnered with the Moulton Museum in Laguna Hills to share the Pioneer Spirit!

Introduction case for the Moulton Museum display

Meet Lewis and Nellie Gail Moulton and journey into Orange County history at John Wayne Airport. Working with the JWA Arts Program, Moulton Museum has developed an eleven-panel, 792 sq. ft. exhibition housed between Terminals B and C on the departures level. 

The exhibit highlights several of the museum’s main features and displays numerous artifacts and artwork from the collection. While the purpose of the display is to invite travelers to visit the museum in person, it also allows viewers to engage directly with the content through  QR codes, connecting them to historical information, resources, and related stories.

Featured within the display are multiple artists and artwork in various creative techniques. The exhibit will remain on view through the summer. 

Artist Jeff Sewell and his exhibition Back to the Ranch is especially highlighted, featuring a profound 4’x5’ oil painting created specifically for this showcase.

Artist Jeff Sewell painting en plein air

Also featured in the display is the immersive photo-op mural on the exterior of the Museum. Painted by artist Timothy Robert Smith, this stunning 200 ft. masterpiece allows visitors to ‘step into’ pioneer times during their visit to Multon Museum. 

 Artist Timothy Robert Smith visiting the reproduction of his mural

For more Orange County history and information about the Moulton Museum, please visit www.moultonmuseum.org. The exhibit is on display pre-security on the upper Departure Level in the walkway Gallery between Terminals B and C. 

To find out more about the John Wayne Airport Arts Program, visit www.ocair.com/terminal/artexhibits.

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ORANGE COUNTY, CA (May 12, 2023) – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is now accepting smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors from Orange County residents for free recycling at all four County-operated Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers (HHWCC).

The safe disposal of household smoke detectors is important, but often limited, as they commonly contain trace amounts of radioactive material. The devices contain circuit boards and other components made from gold and metals that can be recycled. OCWR’s new service provides a convenient option specific to OC residents.  Smoke detectors removed from businesses will not be accepted due to permit regulations.  

"We’re proud to offer this service to our residents, and keep hazardous materials out of landfills,” said Tom Koutroulis, director, OC Waste & Recycling. “Smoke detector disposal can be difficult; many options require residents to package and mail the device back to the manufacturer. We look forward to providing this convenient public resource to residents throughout the County.” 

Disposal is available via drive-through. Residents simply place items in the trunk and head over to a HHWCC. Upon arrival, trained staff will collect the detectors for recycling.

Visits to HHWCCs present an opportunity to dispose of other unwanted household hazardous waste such as e-waste, paint, pesticides, household chemicals, automotive products, batteries, or e-cigarette cartridges. E-waste such as televisions, tablets, old cell phones and computers are also accepted. Plus, residents are encouraged to ask for a FREE battery collection recycling bucket, available while supplies last. 

The four HHWCCs are conveniently located in Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano, open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except holidays and rainy days).

• Anaheim Collection Center -- 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, 92806
• Huntington Beach Collection Center -- 17121 Nichols Lane, 92647, Gate 6
• Irvine Collection Center -- 6411 Oak Canyon, 92618
• San Juan Capistrano Collection Center -- 32250 Avenida La Pata, 92675

For information on the proper disposal of household hazardous waste visit OCLandfills.com/hazardous-waste. For general recycling questions visit OCRecycleGuide.com.  

About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR)

OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems, two compost greeneries, with a third greenery opening early 2023, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at OCLandfills.com.

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(SANTA ANA, CA) – Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in March 2023 compared to March 2022. In March 2023, the Airport served 994,554 passengers, an increase of 8.5% when compared with the March 2022 passenger traffic count of 916,767.

Commercial aircraft operations in March 2023 of 7,934 increased by 2.9%, and commuter aircraft operations of 478 decreased by 1.2% when compared with March 2022 levels. 

Total aircraft operations decreased in March 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. In March 2023, there were 21,118 total aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings), a 16.5% decrease compared to 25,299 total aircraft operations in March 2022.

General aviation activity of 12,660 accounted for 60.0% of the total aircraft operations during March 2023 and decreased by 25.8% compared with March 2022.

The top three airlines in March 2023 based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (329,575), American Airlines (164,500), and United Airlines (152,712).

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(Santa Ana, CA) — Orange County has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to identify and mitigate lead-based paint hazards in households, whether the properties are owner-occupied or rented. Owners of residential homes and rental units are encouraged to learn more and to apply for the lead removal service, which will be done at no cost to the property owner. Since there is no safe level of lead exposure, it is important to identify and remove any trace of lead in homes. 

Households that may qualify for the lead hazards removal must meet certain criteria: 

• The residence must be in Orange County and built before 1978. 
• The residence must have a child under six years of age or a pregnant person who might be exposed to lead living there.  
• The family must meet low-income status.

For more information, and to apply for the no cost service, families and property owners may check the Azure Community Development website at https://www.azuredevelopmentco.com/ or contact the company at info@azuredevelopmentco.com or (323) 477-1160. The HUD grant was awarded to Azure Community Development.

Azure Community Development collaborates with the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Childhood Lead Poison Prevention Program (CLPPP) (https://ochealthinfo.com/lead) to implement a Lead Hazard Reduction Program (LHRP) in Orange County. The company will also partner with the Laborers’ International Union of North America - Local 300 (LiLUNA) to make homes lead-safe.

Lead-based paint, dust or soil can be found in older homes and is a health hazard, especially for children. Lead poisoning can cause a lifetime of negative health impacts. The LHRP provides for the remediation of identified lead hazards in the interior and exterior of qualified homes and to protect the health of families living in the residence, at no charge to the property owner.

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(SANTA ANA, CA) – Now on display through May 17, 2023, is a selection of new artworks by San Juan Capistrano artist Kimberleigh Wood. Taking a flight out of John Wayne Airport? Be sure to check the tabletop display cases at each security line to glimpse a serene landscape captured in acrylics and oils.

Mission Garden Bench SJC, 2023

Southern California is a land of fantasy and fault lines. The neighborhoods here are shaped and reshaped every twenty years. They are torn down and rebuilt with the regularity of a Hollywood sound stage. In a bustling metropolis, it’s not hard to be detached, unsentimental. This constant change fuels Wood’s desire to freeze a moment in time and apply it to canvas.

Kimberleigh Wood is a West Coast native who started painting at the age of 62. Self-taught, she paints three to eight hours a day, documenting the California landscape and the culture surrounding her.

Artist Kimberleigh Wood at her exhibition at City of Hope

“In 2019, I made the move to San Juan Capistrano. Inspiration now blooms through a place with deep and tangled roots. It calls on my consciousness to fill in the blanks and embellish the story. With paint, scribbles, and scratches I transcribe the landscapes of South Orange County into bright, deconstructed shapes, over-layed with textured and muted tones. My paintings are a snapshot made permanent for the viewer to step into and wander through,” says Kimberleigh Wood of her art.

To learn more about Kimberleigh and her work, visit www.kimberleighwood.com or follow her on Instagram @hausofwood.

Terra Cotta Pots, 2022, Installed in Baggage Area B

The entire collection of work is viewable pre-security. Paintings span from the upper Departure Level near security in Terminals A, B, and C and on the lower Arrivals Level by Baggage Carousels 2 and 4.

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

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Anaheim, CA. – Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District, and the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced a Health Fair and Children's Day event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Maxwell Park, 2660 W. Broadway in Anaheim. 

Residents can receive food, health screenings and school supplies while supplies last; apply for public assistance benefits such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief or CalWORKs; and visit with participating partners to find out more about other services and resources available to them. 

“As we move away from the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our residents have struggled with the loss of CalFresh emergency benefits and the return to the Medi-Cal renewal process,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee. “It is important that our community is aware of all the eligible benefits available to them. We hope this Health Fair will help all of our residents get the support and resources they need during this challenging time.”

SSA will bring its Mobile Response Vehicle – an office on wheels – and a team of eligibility professionals to assist attendees in applying for public assistance benefits or to answer questions recipients may have about their current benefits. In-language services will be available.

“Orange County’s strength is its ability to come together to address the community’s needs. SSA is pleased to be part of the collaboration Supervisor Chaffee and his team have formed for the Health Fair and Children’s Day Event,” said SSA Director An Tran.

Participating partners include the Anaheim Elementary School District, CalOptima Health, OC Coalition of Community Health Centers, Cal Assist, ICNA, Federacion de Clubes Unidos por Guerrero en California, OC Health Care Agency and more. Local student folklorico groups will be providing entertainment during the event.

Event parking is located on West Broadway near Haskett branch library. 

For any inquires please call the Office of Supervisor Doug Chaffee at (714) 834-3440 or email Fourth.district@ocgov.com.

Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee represents the Fourth District, which includes the Cities of Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim, and unincorporated communities. 

(Santa Ana, CA) - Following the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory action last week to amend the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) on COVID-19 vaccinations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) transitioned recommendations to using only the mRNA bivalent vaccines (both Moderna and Pfizer) and the use of the Monovalent (original) mRNA COVID-19 vaccines is no longer authorized.   
 
According to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the simplification is supported by available data and field experience as evidence shows that most people in the US above 5 years of age, have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from prior vaccination but because of waning of this protection over time, the bivalent vaccines are critical to boost protection.
 
"This is a welcomed development, making COVID-19 vaccination administration easier for both health care providers and clients," said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Chief of Public Health Services and County Health Officer. "Individuals who never had any COVID-19 vaccines as well as those who had previous vaccines can now be vaccinated with the same bivalent boosters, making access and administration less complicated."

In addition to eliminating the monovalent 2-dose vaccine, the revised EUA includes several updates, specifically:

• Individuals 65 years of age and older who have received a single dose of a bivalent vaccine should receive one additional dose at least four months following their initial bivalent dose. 
• Most individuals with certain kinds of immunocompromise who have received a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine should receive a single additional dose of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months following a dose of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, and additional doses may be administered at the discretion of, and at intervals determined by, their health care provider. However, for immunocompromised individuals 6 months through 4 years of age, eligibility for additional doses will depend on the vaccine previously received. 
• Most unvaccinated individuals should receive a single dose of a bivalent vaccine, rather than multiple doses of the original monovalent mRNA vaccines. 
• Children 6 months through 5 years of age who are unvaccinated should receive either a two-dose series of the Moderna bivalent vaccine (6 months through 5 years of age) OR a three-dose series of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine (6 months through 4 years of age). Children who are 5 years of age may receive two doses of the Moderna bivalent vaccine or a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine. 
• Children 6 months through 5 years of age who have received one, two or three doses of a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine should receive a bivalent vaccine, but the number of doses that they receive will depend on the vaccine and their vaccination history. Read more about the importance of infant immunization here.

The CDC's recommendations for use of (monovalent) Novavax COVID-19 and Johnson & Johnson ‘s Jansen COVID-19 vaccines were not affected by the change in recommendations.
 
As COVID-19 continues to be a risk for many people, the HCA strongly encourages individuals to stay current with vaccination as available data continues to demonstrate that vaccines prevent the most serious outcomes of COVID-19 such as severe illness, hospitalization and death. As the protection from COVID-19 vaccination wanes over time, people who are over 65 years of age or immunocompromised, may consider getting a booster vaccine if they received their last dose more than four months or two months ago, respectively.
 
For individuals who cannot or will not receive an mRNA vaccine, alternatives to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines remain available as the CDC's recommendations for use of (monovalent) Novavax COVID-19 vaccines were not affected by the change in recommendations.
 
The HCA will continue to update guidance in cooperation with state and federal partners. In order to ensure Orange County residents have the information needed, the HCA responds to community inquiries through the Agency’s Health Referral Line at 1-800-564-8448, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
For more information on COVID-19 including resources, case counts, vaccination, and testing in Orange County, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid.

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(SANTA ANA, CA) – Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in February 2023 as compared to February 2022. In February 2023, the Airport served 841,593 passengers, an increase of 17.3% when compared with the February 2022 passenger traffic count of 717,400.

Commercial aircraft operations in February 2023 of 6,965 increased 1.4% and commuter aircraft operations of 435 decreased 1.8% when comparing with February 2022 levels. 

Total aircraft operations decreased in February 2023 as compared with the same month in 2022. In February 2023, there were 19,166 total aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) a 18.5% decrease compared to 23,522 total aircraft operations in February 2022.

General aviation activity of 11,734 accounted for 61.2% of the total aircraft operations during February 2023 and decreased 27.3% compared with February 2022.

The top three airlines in February 2023 based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (291,950), American Airlines (134,648) and United Airlines (125,707).

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(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications on “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at numerous locations throughout Orange County (OC). 

“This is a great opportunity for individuals to clean out their medicine cabinets while helping to safeguard the health and well-being of those they love,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services. “Pharmaceutical medication can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. The opioid crisis is nationwide and here in Orange County. Participating in events like National Take Back Day makes an impact.”

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Event supports the HCA’s commitment to the safety and health of the OC community by encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from homes to prevent misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day helps to draw attention to this ongoing issue and reminds us how together we can keep our communities safe. To locate a Take Back drop-off site near you, please visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at www.DEATakeback.com or call 1(800) 882-9539. Drop-off service is free and anonymous.

To learn more about medication misuse prevention efforts in Orange County or to find local safe disposal locations available year-round, visit: www.ochealthinfo.com/adept.
 

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