Sheriff Sandra Hutchens was a dedicated public servant who committed her life to protecting the community, first in Los Angeles and later in Orange County. Over the years, I appreciated her sense of integrity and her many lasting contributions to our county.

Last month, I was honored to pay tribute to her at the dedication of the Sandra Hutchens Regional Law Enforcement Training Center. The event also marks the re-opening of the Orange County Firearms Training Center. Together, these facilities put Orange County on the map as one of the premier firearm training centers for law enforcement in the country. Dynamic, tactical techniques provided here will allow for better protection for the public, as well as effective de-escalation in police contacts.

The OC Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on January 26, 2021, to rename the training facility after Sheriff Hutchens to recognize her work to advance effective and professional practices in law enforcement.

On March 12, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Orange and the City of Garden Grove for the implementation and administration of the State’s Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program Round 2.

The ERF program, which was established in 2021 through AB 140, assists local jurisdictions in ensuring the wellness and safety of people experiencing homelessness in encampments by providing direct services and support.

In September of last year, the City of Garden Grove collaborated with the Office of Care Coordination to secure $330,000 to address the homeless encampments in Garden Grove at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Trask Avenue. Today’s MOU approval will support the implementation and administration of a vital homeless service program with the City of Garden Grove.

In early January of this year, in continuation of its efforts to address the homeless population and encampments along Beach Boulevard, the Office of Care Coordination applied for the ERF-Round 3 funding in collaboration with the California Department of Transportation and seven cities that Beach Boulevard traverses: Brea, La Habra, Anaheim, Stanton, Garden Grove, Westminster, and Huntington Beach.

I’m proud that the Office of Care Coordination, the creation of which I proposed in 2015 to the Board, is performing its designed function of coordinating county resources with county agencies, cities, and non-profit organizations to address homelessness, mental health, opioid addiction, and substance abuse issues in Orange County.

For more information: http://cams.ocgov.com/Web_Publisher/
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Did you know the additional 24 hours of a Leap Day are built into the calendar to ensure it stays in line with the Earth’s movement around the sun? Did you also know that ancient calendars had entire leap months? To commemorate the special day, I joined OC Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen at the Old Courthouse on February 29 to officiate civil ceremonies. Congratulations to all the newlyweds!

Last month, my Chief of Staff Van Tran attended the Westminster Police Department’s 2023 Promotion and Awards Ceremony. The Chief of Police, Darin Lenyi, the Command Staff, and the Police Officer’s Association formally recognized department members for their courageous and exemplary service to the community. Congratulations to all deserving recipients for your dedication and professionalism. And thank you to all law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line for our safety every day.

My office had the pleasure of presenting Zoe Rannau, an outstanding Los Alamitos High School Senior, with a Community Spotlight recognition for her Monarch Butterfly Garden installation project.

As part of her Girl Scouts Gold Award project, Zoe researched, planned, and designed a Monarch Butterfly habitat at Lee Elementary School in Rossmoor. This was made possible using funds earned from cookie sales and donations from local nurseries.

A few years ago, Zoe learned the Monarch Butterfly was on the endangered species list. She couldn’t believe the monarch population had plummeted about 86% in recent years. With the help of her dad, Zoe will plant milkweed, violet verbena, and other native plants along a path with signage about the garden’s purpose, the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly, and their endangerment. She hopes to educate students on the importance of the butterfly in nature.

Zoe chose to build this at Lee Elementary School because she was a student there and helped her brothers’ Boy Scouts troop build a vegetable garden used by the school and maintained by volunteer master gardeners. Zoe’s garden will be next to her brothers’ garden.

PrintMasters is a digital and offset printing shop in Los Alamitos specializing in signage, graphic design, print advertising, and mailing services. This small business began as a storefront in 1987 and was sold to Carl and Nesi Steward two decades later. Outside the workplace, Nesi sits on the Board of Directors for Casa Youth Shelter, a temporary shelter for runaway youth, and on the City of Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce. Nesi’s community involvement has allowed PrintMasters to give back to the community actively. To honor Nesi’s work, my office presented her with a Certificate of Recognition.

For the last decade, Dr. Seza Barsamian’s cosmetic and restorative dental practice in the City of Los Alamitos has graciously provided free dental services to retired veterans on Veterans Day. To honor their work, my office presented them with a Certificate of Recognition earlier this month.

Thinking about booking your upcoming internationaltrip? The Clerk-Recorder Department is hosting their Passport Day on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Old Orange County Courthouse.

You can book your appointment by visiting OCRecorder.com.

Every Monday morning, the Garden Grove Main Library hosts a crafting hour for adults with developmental disabilities and their caretakers. No experience is needed, and all supplies will be provided free of charge.

Mondays at 11:00 am

Garden Grove Main Library

11200 Stanford Ave, Garden Grove

Did you know the La Palma Public Library hosts meet-and-play events every Thursday morning for children five and under? These events are a great way for parents and guardians to introduce their children to new friends and work on their socialization.

Thursdays at 11:00 am

La Palma Public Library

7842 Walker Street, La Palma

Attention College Students: You can take advantage of big savings with OCTA’s Community College pass. This program provides students enrolled at all nine community colleges free travel on OC Bus routes.

For more information, visit https://octa.net/.../far.../overview/community-college-pass/.

OCTA invites you to apply to the OC Go (also known as Measure M) Taxpayer Oversight Committee, which ensures that all OC Go funds are spent on voter-approved transportation projects. Orange County residents living in the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Supervisorial Districts are eligible to apply for current open positions. For more information visit https://careers.octa.net/octa-careers.

Scientists and engineers are stepping up the game in the world of recycling. Through modern recycling facilities, we can now convert ordinary waste materials into clean electricity and power, lighting up houses, and transforming communities. You can learn more by following OC Waste & Recycling or visiting https://oclandfills.com/learn.

Every second Saturday of the month, OC Animal Care hosts The Family Fur-st Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry to provide important resources to pet owners in the community. All pet owners in the community in need of pet food are welcome!

The Los Alamitos Recreation and the Community Services Department will host its annual 2-day visual and performing arts exhibition this month. Join the Los Alamitos community for a weekend full of exciting activities for the entire family. There will be art workshops, face painters, food and merchandise vendors, and live performances.

Saturday, March 16 from 12:00 – 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 17 from 3:00 – 7:00 pm

Los Alamitos Community Center

10911 Oak Street, Seal Beach, CA 90740

For more information visit https://cityoflosalamitos.org/
303/Weekend-of-Art.