Santa Ana, Calif. (September 9, 2024) — Today the County Service Center (CSC) celebrates its five-year anniversary. 

“The County Service Center has been very well received by the public. We have made it easier for everyone to do business with the county and access county services for items such as building permits and birth certificates,” said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District.

In 2016, the Board of Supervisors voted to update the Civic Center, including development of a “one-stop shop” for County services. The County Service Center, this single-entry point into all County services would address the needs of the Orange County residents in an efficient and customer service friendly manner.

“The County Service Center offers residents a convenient and streamlined process to access County services in one spot, eliminating the stress of contacting multiple departments to address their needs, ” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District.

The CSC opened its doors on September 3, 2019, to provide the public with an array of County services from the Clerk-Recorder, OC Public Works and Treasurer-Tax Collector. The County Executive Office established the County Information Desk within the County Service Center to support the delivery of services from these transactional counters.

“The County Service Center is a great model and asset for all of Orange County’s residents and I applaud them for their five-year anniversary,” said Supervisor Vincente Sarmiento, Second District.

Since its inception, the County Service Center has served close to 463,000 customers with an average wait time of three to four minutes and service time of six to seven minutes on average. Customers receive a survey at the end of their transactions to provide feedback and results have indicated an average of 95 percent excellent rating for customer service based on a four-point rating scale. 

“Congratulations to the County Services Center (CSC) on five years of commitment to excellence in providing a one-stop shop for an array of essential County services. According to County surveys of our customers, 95% of the over 463,000 residents served at our CSC report excellent service. Thank you for providing friendly, efficient support for our community,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District.

The role of this Information Desk is to provide excellent customer services with the “No Wrong Door” philosophy by connecting the public to information and services needed to navigate the County of Orange. 

A list of all the services that may be found at the County Service Center may be found by clicking here.

Holiday observed.

(SANTA ANA, CA) – Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in July 2024 as compared to July 2023. In July 2024, the Airport served 970,828 passengers, a decrease of 9.7% when compared with the July 2023 passenger traffic count of 1,075,535.

Commercial aircraft operations in July 2024 of 7,860 decreased 7.0% and commuter aircraft operations of 481 increased 20.0% when comparing with July 2023 levels. 

Total aircraft operations increased in July 2024 as compared with the same month in 2023. In July 2024, there were 29,981 total aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) a 22.8% increase compared to 24,421 total aircraft operations in July 2023.

General aviation activity of 21,625 accounted for 72.1% of the total aircraft operations during July 2024, and increased 38.9% compared with July 2023.

The top three airlines in July 2024 based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (268,571), United Airlines (163,688) and American Airlines (162,561).
 

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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.

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ORANGE COUNTY, CA (August 19, 2024) – OC Waste & Recycling is pleased to announce the successful collaboration with Disneyland Resort in organizing a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event, which was held on May 30, 2024, in Anaheim.  The event aimed to provide Disneyland Resort cast members and employees with a convenient and safe way to dispose of household hazardous waste materials.

During the event, OC Waste & Recycling, supported by Orange County Conservation Corps and Disneyland Resort, collected an impressive total of over 5,900 pounds of household hazardous waste and 1,218 pounds of e-waste. This initiative underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and community welfare by ensuring that hazardous materials are disposed of responsibly. Household hazardous waste includes items such as old paint, batteries, and electronic waste, which require special handling for safe disposal.

OC Waste & Recycling continues to encourage Orange County residents to participate in future events and dispose of hazardous materials responsibly. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is open to residents Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at four of our locations throughout the county.

Hazardous Waste Collections Centers

• Anaheim Collection Center-- 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, 92806
• Huntington Beach Collection Center—Currently closed for renovations
• Irvine Collection Center-- 6411 Oak Canyon, 92618
• San Juan Capistrano Collection Center-- 32250 Avenida La Pata, 92675
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About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) 

OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling 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 and three composting greeneries, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and its unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. 

For more information on household hazardous waste disposal options and upcoming events, please visit our website at www.OCLandfill.com.

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The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs invites Orange County residents to learn more about the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services policy updates taking effect August 19, 2024. The policy updates impact thousands of people awaiting a pathway toward naturalization. Through the guidance of immigration law practitioners, community members will be more aware of the impacts the new policies have on their lives or the lives of immigrant and refugee families. Additionally, general guidance will be provided on how to prepare if eligible to apply for immigration relief. 

Attendees can connect to immigration legal practitioners and schedule a free or low-cost immigration consultation.

Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Dari, Pashto and Ukrainian interpreters will be available.

Speakers: Lisa D. Ramirez, Esq., U.S. Immigration Law Group, LLP, and Heather Kwak, Department of Justice Accredited Representative, Office Director, World Relief Southern California

Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024

Time: 3-5 p.m.

Location: County of Orange Social Services Agency, 500 N. State College Blvd., Orange, CA 92868

RSVP: https://bit.ly/4fEiots, (714) 245-6049 or oira@ssa.ocgov.com

Background:

• On June 18, the White House announced that spouses and children of U.S. Citizens could be eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence without having to leave the United States. This executive action, known as the Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families, is estimated to apply to about half a million spouses of U.S. citizens, and 50,000 noncitizen children whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients can learn more about D-3 waivers, a provision of the Nationality and Immigration Act (INA §212(d)(3)) that can excuse — on a case-by-case basis — a wide range of grounds of inadmissibility to the United States, including the 3- and 10-year bar. People who receive a D-3 waiver approval notice can obtain an employment-based temporary visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, and then re-enter the United States in valid status with work authorization.

(Santa Ana, Calif.) – Chicano history and culture intersect at The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana art exhibit. Now open to the public at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.), the collection features images depicting urban life and the Chicano experience between 1969 and 2001. 

The exhibition consists of limited-edition digital reproductions, known as giclées, of original paintings from 26 prominent Chicano artists from the private collection of actor and comedian, Cheech Marin. Marin's collection now serves as the foundation of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum, which opened in June 2022.

The prints were created through a national art project led by Marin with the late Richard S. Duardo of Modern Multiples Fine Art Editions and Melissa Richardson Banks of CauseConnect. In addition to the giclées, a 25-minute documentary about Chicano art and linocut portraits of each artist created by Artemio Rodriguez are on display. The exhibit will be at the Courthouse exhibit gallery through the end of the year.

“Preserving the cultural heritage within our diverse and historic communities is so important, including depictions of the story and struggle of Mexican Americans and Latinos in the Southwest. I wanted to help bring this exhibit here, since many of our residents do not have the opportunity to visit the museum in Riverside and because Orange County has played a vital role in the Chicano movement. I am very proud to have this incredible art experience available for residents and visitors at the historic Old Orange County Courthouse,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento. “We join the community in celebrating Chicano Heritage Month by hosting The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana exhibition.”

The Chicano Movement has been shaped by notable leaders and activists such as Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and more for several decades. Marin has been captivated by artistic expressions of the Chicano culture and has amassed his own renowned private collection over the last 40 years. The Chicano Collection was produced to advance Chicano art as a recognized school of American art, increase public accessibility to this work in cities nationwide and help audiences understand and appreciate the richness of the culture. 

Admission to The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana exhibit is free and open to view at the Old Orange County Courthouse gallery Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning August 8. Metered parking is available at the onsite lot and surrounding street parking.

For information about The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana art exhibit or the Old Orange County Courthouse, please visit https://www.ocparks.com/historic-sites/old-orange-county-courthouse.

Read this release in:

• Korean
• Spanish

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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

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed a case of measles in an adult international traveler visiting Orange County (OC). The person visited the following locations in Orange County while infectious:        

• July 26 – Denny's Restaurant (1168 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802) from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• July 27 – CVS Pharmacy (1803 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802) from 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• July 27 – Walmart (1120 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805) from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• July 28 – Anaheim Global Medical Center Emergency Department (1025 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805) from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• July 28 – CVS Pharmacy (1676 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim CA 92802) from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The HCA has been working with Anaheim Global Medical Center to contact anyone who may have been exposed to this case and who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, such as infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. People who were in the locations above around the same time(s) should:

• Review whether they are immune to measles or not. People who are not fully immunized against measles or who don’t know if they are immune to measles already should talk with a health care provider about receiving the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately for guidance.

“Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe disease in some individuals. Common symptoms include fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “It spreads very easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person. People are contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. Anyone suspecting that they have measles should call their medical provider before arriving at the medical office, to avoid exposing others to the measles virus. Immunization provides the best protection.”

For information about measles in Orange County including any updates to this case in Orange County visit www.ochealthinfo.com/measles.
For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles.

Measles can be prevented through immunization:

• Infants should receive their first MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4 to 6 years of age before going to school.
• Immunizing children, adolescents and adults is the best way to protect infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine.
• MMR vaccines are very safe. The benefits far outweigh any risks. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the shot was given.
• Measles is found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Receiving an MMR vaccine before international travel is recommended for those who have not already received two doses.

ABOUT THE OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit www.ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources.

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ORANGE COUNTY, CA (July 29, 2024) – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) has received the 2024 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for its groundbreaking work in the Senate Bill 1383 Procurement Program & Market Development Plan. The honor acknowledges excellence in pioneering efforts to create markets for recovered organics and fostering collaboration with regional partners.

"Senate Bill 1383 set methane emissions reduction targets for California beginning in 2022, requiring jurisdictions to implement mandatory organic waste collection and reduce organic waste disposal from landfills," said Tom Koutroulis, Director of OC Waste & Recycling. “OCWR created new procurement partnership opportunities with jurisdictions, businesses, and non-profits, and provided innovative habitat mitigation, all in support of SB 1383 procurement targets.”

OCWR's comprehensive recycling initiative begins with the collection of green and organic waste from residential curbsides, which is then transformed into compost and mulch. These beneficial products are then distributed back to the community, serving as valuable resources to enhance gardens and landscaping, all free of charge.

Since the beginning of the community composting and mulch program in October 2020, OCWR's greeneries (located at Bee Canyon and Capistrano, co-located at the County landfills) have successfully diverted over 30,000 tons of green waste and manure from critical landfill space. OCWR has provided compost and/or mulch to 24 of the 35 cities in Orange County, partnering with a wildlife conservancy, a water district, and three County agencies for compost and mulch. In addition, in 2023, through the market development program, the department received 19,259 tons of feedstock from residential curbside green waste and horse manure for composting, resulting in the distribution of 4,975 tons of mulch and 2,560 tons of compost.

"We thank NACo for recognizing our efforts and for contributing to raising awareness about the comprehensive and sustainable services offered by our County," continued Koutroulis. "United, we possess the ability to impact and shape a better future for us all."

NACo's annual Achievement Awards program aims to acknowledge innovations within county governments. These awards span across 18 diverse categories, encompassing a wide range of services provided by counties, such as children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement, and numerous others.

About National Association of Counties (NACo)

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government. www.naco.org 

About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) 

OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling 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 and three composting greeneries, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and its unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at www.OCLandfills.com.

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(SANTA ANA, CA) – Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in June 2024 as compared to June 2023. In June 2024, the Airport served 963,531 passengers, a decrease of 9.1% when compared with the June 2023 passenger traffic count of 1,059,614.

Commercial aircraft operations in June 2024 of 7,651 decreased 7.6% and commuter aircraft operations of 440 increased 6.3% when comparing with June 2023 levels. 

Total aircraft operations increased in June 2024 as compared with the same month in 2023. In June 2024, there were 24,878 total aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) an 8.6% increase compared to 22,899 total aircraft operations in June 2023.

General aviation activity of 16,764 accounted for 67.4% of the total aircraft operations during June 2024, and increased 18.1% compared with June 2023.

The top three airlines in June 2024 based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (277,026), American Airlines (163,911) and United Airlines (152,949).
 

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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.

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JOIN US - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 6-8 pm

County Administration South (First Floor)
601 N. Ross Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Free Parking in P4 Parking Lot for this special event.

The County of Orange is releasing its Draft Preliminary Climate Action Plan (CAP) for
a 21- day public review and comment period.

The document can be accessed online beginning August 1 through August 21, 2024.

Questions?
RSVP is not necessary but please email GreenOC@ocwr.ocgov.com if you have any questions or require any specific accommodations for the meeting.

ocgov.com/sustainability