Santa Ana, CA (November 17, 2022) – The Orange County Probation Department announces the official opening of the department’s Multipurpose Rehabilitation Center (MRC) located on the grounds of Orange County Juvenile Hall in the City of Orange.

The initial inception of the MRC began on April 15, 2015 when the California Board of State and Community Corrections awarded funding to the County of Orange to build this facility. One of the primary goals of the MRC has been to aid in enhancing the rehabilitation of justice involved youth in Orange County. The facility consists of several classrooms for vocational and programming space, an auto shop, a gymnasium, a fitness center, a reception area, an interview room, a multipurpose room that will also be used for visiting and a childcare room.

With spaces designed to be conducive to better learning environments and room to learn and practice vocational skills, the MRC affords opportunities for youth to become better prepared upon reentry into the community. Additionally, the MRC provides a brand new, more spacious place for families and loved ones to visit, as well as a childcare room to occupy younger children, so that they can focus on their visit with their child who is in custody.

This building represents the County’s commitment to continue to make Orange County a safe, healthy and fulfilling place to live, work and play by providing outstanding, cost-effective regional public services. The name Multipurpose Rehabilitation Center speaks to that, with the option to be utilized by a variety of County agencies and community partners, it offers an easily accessible and centralized location for large groups of people to come together for the purpose of guiding youth forward to successful lives and supporting families on this journey.

For more MRC information, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98_SqAYPi6U.

Beat the holiday rush and get the marriage and passport services you need! Plan now to take advantage of Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen’s special Saturday hours set for Saturday, December 17, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at the department’s branch offices in Anaheim and Laguna Hills. The department will be offering marriage services at all three locations. Passport services will also be available at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at the department’s North County branch office in Anaheim. Please note, no passport services will be offered at the department’s South County branch office in Laguna Hills. Appointments are highly recommended due to the demand for marriage and passport services during these special hours. Walkins are welcomed. For more information and to complete an online application for a marriage license, ceremony, or passport in advance, please visit us at OCRecorder.com.

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(Lake Forest, Calif.) – Celebrate the holidays at OC Parks’ Heritage Hill Historical Park this December with Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights.

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SANTA ANA, Calif. (November 10, 2022) – To celebrate the U.S. Department of Labor’s eighth annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), the County of Orange and Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB) are hosting a series of virtual apprenticeship information sessions in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

“The County is proud to support National Apprenticeship Week and showcase the impact apprenticeships have on building the workforce in Orange County,” said Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor.

“Apprenticeships offer many benefits to our community, including flexible training options, which strengthens our local economy. We look forward to developing the next generation of workers as part of our diverse workforce,” said Vice Chairman Donald Wagner, Third District Supervisor.

Held annually in November, NAW will take place from November 14 through November 20, 2022. Apprenticeship information sessions will be held from November 14 through November 18, 2022, and cover electrical, ironwork, building and construction, plumbing and irrigation, sheet metal, engineering, and carpentry apprenticeship programs.

“There are many alternative routes to a successful career that don’t require a college degree,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “Trade careers provide practical and useful skills, incur less student loan debt, and will always be in demand.”

OCWDB National Apprenticeship Week Information Sessions

“Apprenticeships empower individuals to take the first step towards building a career,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. “As we continue to see rising costs of living and housing in Orange County, apprenticeship programs provide hands-on, on-the-job training, earn and learn opportunities so job seekers are trained well for quality living wage jobs with fair benefits. I encourage those looking to explore careers in the trades to consider participating in apprenticeship programs that help with professional development and deliver real, life-changing results for working families.”

According to Apprenticeship.gov, 93% of apprentices retain employment after completing an apprenticeship program with an average starting salary of $77,000.

“Apprenticeship programs are a great way for apprentices to improve their employability, get a feel for the work environment and gain valuable experience, all while getting paid to learn,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “These programs are a great benefit to employers in that they can train and cultivate workers to meet their specific standards.”

Hundreds of NAW events and activities will be taking place all over the country, including open houses, skill competitions, community forums, apprentice graduations, and more.

To learn more about National Apprenticeship Week, email info@ocworkforcesolutions.com, visit ocworkforcesolutions.com/events, or call (714) 480-6500.
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The Orange County Workforce Development Board, through the Orange County Workforce Solutions Center, offers comprehensive services such as hiring assistance, career transition services, and employment services to businesses and job seekers at no cost.
National Apprenticeship Week was established by the U.S. Department of Labor to celebrate the significant impact Registered Apprenticeship programs have had in rebuilding our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (November 10, 2022) – The County of Orange will host a Veterans and Military Family Career and Resource Fair in early 2023. Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District, has committed $10,000 to support this effort, which will help veterans and their families access valuable resources and obtain gainful employment that will lead to self-sufficiency.

“I have always been a strong advocate for military and veteran families throughout my tenure on the Orange County Board of Supervisors,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “Hosting numerous job fairs and community events tailored to Orange County’s veteran community, and supporting efforts to bring a veterans cemetery to Orange County, are just some of the ways I continue to support the courageous men and women who have served our nation to protect and defend our freedom.

According to the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), over 125,000 veterans live in Orange County. While numerous veterans stay in Orange County for a short period, it is estimated that 6,500 veterans decide to permanently call Orange County home each year. The Veterans and Military Family Career and Resource Fair will allow veterans to showcase their diverse range of military transferrable skills and connect with high-profile employers with open positions geared toward expertise gained while on active duty. Veterans and their families will also have the opportunity to connect with veteran-focused resources available in Orange County.

Participating employers will include in-demand employment sector companies ranging from service industries to high-level corporate and technical organizations. Job seekers can expect employers to collect resumes, interview prospective employees, and potentially hire on the spot.

Anyone interested in participating in the Veterans and Military Family Career and Resource Fair should email businesservices@ocworkforcesolutions.com or call (714) 480-6500 to learn more. Details will also be posted as they emerge on OC Workforce & Economic Development’s social media pages at facebook.com/orangecountyworkforce, @oc_workforce on Twitter, and @ocworkforce on Instagram.

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This WIOA Title I financially assisted program or activity is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you need special assistance to participate in this program, please call 949-341-8000. TDD/TTY users, please call the California Relay Service at (800) 735- 2922 or 711. Please call 48 hours in advance to allow the One-Stop Center to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this program.

Santa Ana, Calif. (November 9, 2022): Effective Wednesday, November 9 at 6 a.m. all evacuation orders will be lifted for Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon and Modjeska Canyon in the Bond Fire burn area. Road closures will be lifted for all roadways in the Canyons at 6 a.m.
To report storm-related issues with a County road or flood control channel, call the Orange County Public Works Storm Center 714-955-0200 during standard business hours and 714-955-0333 during flash flood events and emergencies when OC Public Works’ Department Operations Center is activated.
A map and more information about the order being lifted may be found at: www.ocsheriff.gov/bondfire.

Evacuation Areas

• Silverado Canyon - Evacuation Lifted
• Williams Canyon - Evacuation Lifted
• Modjeska Canyon - Evacuation Lifted

Road Closures

• All road closures lifted

Sheltering
The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) will close its Care and Reception Center today at 6 a.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center in Mission Viejo.

Orange County Public Works, Orange County Animal Care, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are working in Unified Command.

Residents are encouraged to check regularly for updates through local media and on Facebook and Twitter following #OCCanyonFlood at:

Santa Ana, Calif. (November 8, 2022): Effective at 9 a.m. an Evacuation Order (Mandatory) will be issued for Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon and Modjeska in the Bond Fire burn area due to possible debris flows along or near the burn scar.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the burn scar area in effect from Tuesday, November 8 at 4 a.m. until Wednesday, November 9 at 7 a.m. for the rain event.

Hard road closures will be in effect at 9 a.m. and access in and out of the Canyons will be restricted to public safety and public works vehicles.

Any person with disabilities and those with access and/or functional needs requiring evacuation assistance should call Orange County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch at 714-647-7000.

To report storm-related issues with a County road or flood control channel, call the Orange County Public Works Storm Center 714-955-0200 during standard business hours and 714-955-0333 during flash flood events and emergencies when OC Public Works’ Department Operations Center is activated.

Due to the Evacuation Order (Mandatory), the Library of the Canyons will be closed on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. As such, the Vote Center held at the Library of the Canyons will be closed on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Residents may find a list of Vote Centers by going to www.ocvote.gov.

A map with detailed depictions of the areas under mandatory evacuation may be found at www.ocsheriff.gov/bondfire.

Evacuation Areas

• Silverado Canyon - Evacuation Order (Mandatory – as of November 8, 2022 at 9 a.m.)
• Williams Canyon - Evacuation Order (Mandatory – as of November 8, 2022 at 9 a.m.)
• Modjeska Canyon - Evacuation Order (Mandatory – as of November 8, 2022 at 9 a.m.

Hard Road Closures

• Hard road closures will be in place at canyon entrances beginning at November 8, 2022 at 9 a.m.

Sheltering
Residents living in the evacuation areas are encouraged to leave early and plan for alternate shelter with friends, family or at a local hotel outside of the evacuation area.

The County of Orange Social Service Agency and the American Red Cross have established a Care and Reception location for evacuated residents of the Canyons from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center in the Juniper Room in Mission Viejo. The center is located at 24932 Veteran’s Way, Mission Viejo 92692. On Tuesday evening, the American Red Cross will offer congregate style overnight shelter from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (time may be adjusted) onsite at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo at the above address.

The Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center also serves an official voting site for the convenience of residents who may find themselves displaced due to the storm.

Pets and Large Animals
OC Animal Care is open to house dogs, cats and small pets for Orange County residents under mandatory evacuation orders. The shelter is at 1630 Victory Road Tustin, CA 92782. If possible, please bring photo identification, veterinary/vaccination records, special food, and medications along with your animals. The OC Fair and Events Center has been opened for large animal owners under evacuation. The daily care as well as feed, medications, and other necessary supplies will be the responsibility of the animal owner. Please call (714) 708-1588 to ensure they can accommodate your animals. Staff will be available 24/7 to answer calls at the OC Fair and Events Center. The OC Fair and Events Center is located at 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626. For large animal sheltering, enter at Gate 5 off Arlington Drive.

While evacuating, please ensure that vehicles such as large trailers do not block roadways as this may impact the ability of first responders to travel to impacted areas.
Orange County Public Works, Orange County Animal Care, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are working in Unified Command.

Residents are encouraged to check regularly for updates through local media, on the County of Orange’s website – OCGov.com/News - and on social media following #OCCanyonFlood at:

Santa Ana, Calif. (November 7, 2022) Effective Tuesday, November 8th at 4 a.m. an Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) will be issued for Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon and Modjeska in the Bond Fire burn area due to possible debris flows along or near the burn scar. A map with detailed depictions of the areas under Evacuation Warning (voluntary) can be found at www.ocsheriff.gov/bondfire.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the burn scar area in effect from Tuesday, November 8 at 4 a.m. until Wednesday, November 9 at 7 a.m. for the expected rain event. The Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) is expected to be in place through the Flash Flood Watch.

Canyon residents are strongly encouraged to prepare and evacuate on Tuesday, November 8th at 4 a.m., especially those with disabilities, access and/or functional needs, and canyon residents with large animals.

Any person with disabilities and those with access and/or functional needs requiring evacuation assistance should call Orange County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch at 714-647-7000.

Any person needing assistance with information about animal or large animal evacuations should call Orange County Animal Care at 714-935-6848 during normal hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 714-259-1122 during after-hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.

To report storm-related issues with a County road or flood control channel, call the Orange County Public Works Storm Center 714-955-0200 during standard business hours and 714-955-0333 during flash flood events and emergencies when OC Public Works’ Department Operations Center is activated.

Due to the Evacuation Warning (Voluntary), the Library of the Canyons will be closed on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. As such, the Vote Center held at the Library of the Canyons will be closed on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Residents may find a list of Vote Centers by going to www.ocvote.gov.

Evacuation Areas

• Silverado Canyon - Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 4 a.m.)
• Williams Canyon - Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 4 a.m.)
• Modjeska Canyon - Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 4 a.m.)

Soft Road Closures

• Soft road closures will be in place at canyon entrances beginning on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 4 a.m., open to local residents only.

Sheltering
Residents living in the evacuation areas are encouraged to leave early and plan for alternate shelter with friends, family or at a local hotel outside of the evacuation area. Depending on conditions, the Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) may transition to Evacuation Order (Mandatory) with little or no notice, so residents leaving the area are encouraged to plan accordingly.

The County of Orange Social Service Agency and the American Red Cross have established a Care and Reception location for evacuated residents of the Canyons from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center in the Juniper Room in Mission Viejo. The center is located at 24932 Veteran’s Way, Mission Viejo 92692. On Tuesday evening, the American Red Cross will offer congregate style overnight shelter from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (time may be adjusted as evacuations are lifted) onsite at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo at the above address.

The Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center also serves an official voting site for the convenience of residents who may find themselves displaced due to the storm.

Orange County Public Works, Orange County Animal Care, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are working in Unified Command.

Residents are encouraged to check regularly for updates through local media and on Facebook and Twitter following #OCCanyonFlood at:

SANTA ANA, Calif. (November 3, 2022) -- In celebration of early and family literacy, OC Public Libraries, in conjunction with Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District Supervisor, will host a Fall Literacy Festival on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Aliso Viejo Library. This special event will feature a variety of activities for the whole family and is designed to help promote libraries and literacy.

“I am so excited about this event and encourage families from the Fifth District and throughout the County, to participate and enjoy this special day celebrating literacy and life-long learning,” said Lisa Bartlett, Supervisor, Fifth District. “As a child, I spent hours at our local library reading many of my favorite books, including one of my all-time favorites – Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I was also an avid fan of mysteries and read every Nancy Drew mystery book.”

OC Public Libraries and the County of Orange are committed to offering literacy services to ensure students have the foundational skills necessary to be successful in school and later in life. These events focus on the entire family to emphasize the importance of reading and building home libraries.

“Reading is a great way for families to connect, spend time together and slow down after a hectic day,” said Bartlett.

Attendees will meet and take photos with beloved children’s book character Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. There will be crocodile crafts available to accompany the photo opportunity with the character. Face painters will also be bringing literacy to life with colorful designs for those who are interested. The main event features special guest, author Jennifer Holm who will offer a special meet and greet. Families who attend will receive a copy of Holm’s most recent book Once Upon a Messy Whisker, while supplies last. Jennifer Holm is a three-time Newbery Honor and a New York Times Bestselling author known for the Baby Mouse series.

Aliso Viejo Library is located at 1 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.

For more information, visit ocpl.org or follow OC Public Libraries on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

ABOUT OC PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Established in 1921, OC Public Libraries (OCPL) located in Orange County, California, is comprised of 32 branches, two mobile libraries and a library in the Orangewood Children’s Home. OCPL serves a diverse and growing population of over 1.6 million residents throughout 24 member cities. OCPL’s mission is “to empower and enrich our communities,” and the vision is “open doors, free access, and community.” OCPL helps patrons succeed, learn, explore, and connect.

(Santa Ana, CA) – The County Health Officer today issued a Declaration of Health Emergency in Orange County due to rapidly spreading virus infections causing record numbers of pediatric hospitalizations and daily emergency room visits. Additionally, a Proclamation of Local Emergency has been declared, which allows the County to access State and Federal resources to address the situation and seek mutual aid from surrounding counties.

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