As September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and to raise awareness of this important issue, the OC Health Care Agency lit up the exterior of the County of Orange Administrative Offices, as well as other iconic locations throughout Orange County in teal and purple this week. To view the video, click here.

At the County Administration North (CAN) building for the Light Up Hope OC event.

Suicide impacts the senior community particularly hard. Older adults comprise just 12% of the population but make up 18% of all suicides. Loneliness is one of the top reasons why older adults attempt suicide which reinforces how critical social connections are to good mental health.

Participating in the Light Up Hope OC event.

Keep in touch with your older loved ones, even if it's via Zoom. Ask them how they are feeling and if you get signs that they are depressed, anxious or notice they start to give away possessions and put their affairs in order, express your concern, reassure them and, most importantly, get help. Remember, suicide is preventable and by recognizing the signs and acting on them, you might be able to save someone’s life. For more information, click here. To view the video, click here.

I'm pleased to report my office has launched a funding assistance initiative to provide a boost to childcare centers. Utilizing discretionary state and federal funding, $1.5 million is currently available in grant funding for childcare businesses in my supervisorial district.

To that end, it was my pleasure to present a ceremonial check this week in honor of the 5th District Childcare Grant Relief Program. The Program will be administered by Charitable Ventures and applications are due by Friday, October 7. For more information, click here and here.

L-R: Presenting a ceremonial check to Tiffany Alva (First 5 Orange County), Amy Klein (Charitable Ventures), and Kim Goll (First 5 Orange County).

The OC Human Relations Commission has officially released the 2021 Orange County Hate Crime Report.  The Commission produced report provides valuable statistical information and resources pertaining to hate crimes and hate incidents that occurred throughout Orange County. A copy of can be found by clicking the graphic below or visiting the OC Human Relations Commission webpage. 

Click the image above to view the Report.

Unfortunately, continued movement to the right of way in the San Clemente area is forcing Metrolink to suspend Orange County Line and Inland Empire-Orange County Line service south of the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station beginning today, September 30, until further notice.

Working with geologists, geotechnical engineers, and surveyors, they have determined to ensure passenger safety service suspension is necessary. Until they have confirmation from the experts the slope movement has stopped, they will not resume Metrolink service. For more information, click here and here.

In addition to serving you on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also honored to serve you on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors. As such, I'm pleased to report that OCTA has issued its annual call for projects aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion throughout Orange County.

Approximately $45 million is available through the Regional Capacity Program, which funds improvements that increase mobility at major intersections and provide smoother transitions to the highway system, and the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program, which provides funding to time traffic lights along long stretches of street that can run through multiple cities.

Cities and the County can propose projects through both competitive programs, which are funded by OC Go, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, also known as Measure M.

Project applications are due by October 20 and are expected to be selected in spring 2023. For more information and to submit projects, click here.

French artist Veronica Schmitt is the newest artist featured in the Community Focus Space at John Wayne Airport. Her fine art painting is inspired by the California impressionist artists she treasured while honing her talent. Acrylic paint captures lively, soft, and colorful snapshots of local life in this exhibit.

Corona Del Mar

Select paintings from her catalogue will be on display in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal through October 18. The exhibit is viewable (pre-security) on the Departure (upper) Level near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4. For more information, click here.

Earlier this month, I was pleased to attend the 20th annual Toast to the Casa, La Belle Epoque, where I was pleased to present a commendation in honor of the occasion to Ruth DeNault, President of the Board of Trustees for Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, and Executive Director Amy Behrens.

L-R: With Casa Romantica Executive Director Amy Behrens and Board President Ruth DeNault.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is an award-winning center for the arts and historic landmark that provides a rich selection of performances, exhibitions, lectures, workshops and tours year-round. For more information, click here.

L-R: At Toast to the Casa with Mo Honarkar, San Clemente Councilman Chris Duncan, Jeff Meberg, and my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince.

Last week, my office was pleased to attend the Newport Beach Firefighter and Lifeguard Appreciation Dinner held at the Hyatt Newport Beach, where my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, provided commendations for the honorees.

The solemn evening was filled with many inspiring stories of the brave men and women of Newport Beach, who are to be highly commended for protecting life, property and the environment with innovative professionalism and organizational effectiveness, in addition to their outstanding commitment to providing the community with unparalleled service excellence. To view the event program, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the event program.

This week, I was pleased to sponsor the Laguna Niguel State of the City Luncheon, held at the Crown Valley Park Community Center. Mayor Elaine Gennawey delivered the State of the City Address and introduced the video to a full ballroom, while Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer served as Master of Ceremonies. Check back next week to see more photos and the State of the City video!

L-R: OCDA Todd Spitzer and Laguna Niguel Mayor Elaine Gennawey at the State of the City.

My office was pleased to present a commendation to Rumble Boxing in Irvine, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Rumble Boxing is to be highly commended for believing in the power of coming together to fight for a collective goal and celebrating what it means to be unique! Please join me in welcoming Rumble Boxing to the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce!

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, presenting a commendation to Rumble Boxing in Irvine.

My office was also pleased to present a commendation to Salt & Straw in Newport Beach, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Salt & Straw's ice cream gives their customers a moment of happiness and connection to the community around them! If you ever stop believing in magic, eat some ice cream! Please join me in welcoming Salt & Straw to the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce!

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, presenting a commendation to Salt & Straw in Newport Beach.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 667,783 positive cumulative cases and 7,450 deaths to date, as well as 147 currently hospitalized with 22 in ICU.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: HCA has transitioned to publicly reporting COVID-19 data to two days a week following the change in reporting by CDPH. Specifically data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, ICU numbers and bed availability, and deaths will be reported on our dashboards Tuesdays and Fridays. Other data (e.g. testing positivity, variants, vaccinations) will continue to be updated on a weekly basis.

Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer at the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), has a video message to help explain why it's important to get vaccinated. To view the video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

For informational town hall events and more educational videos related to COVID-19 vaccination, visit the OC COVID-19 homepage.

The City of Newport Beach presents its annual Summer Concerts Series on the Green, featuring an array of performers for your entertainment. Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are held on the Newport Beach Civic Center Green (100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach). Admission and parking are free, on a first come, first served basis. See the list below for upcoming concerts. For more information, click here.

• October 2 - Stone Soul (At Marina Park)

For those of you who may have missed any of my previous Fifth District Dispatch newsletters, featuring up-to-date COVID-19 facts and other information pertinent to South County, click here. 

Thank you so much for your outstanding and continuing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, as we're all in this together!