Headline News Archive

Effective July 2, 2020, all bars are ordered closed in Orange County, California due to the increasing number COVID-19 cases.

Effective immediately by order of the State, the following sectors will be closed in Orange County:

In preparation for candidate filing under COVID-19 restrictions, the Orange County Registrar of Voters is encouraging electronic filing options for candidates who wish to run for office in the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election. Candidate filing begins on Monday, July 13, 2020 at 8:00 am and concludes on August 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm.

OC Public Libraries has been one of two Orange County organizations chosen to receive a grant of $15,000 to host the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Lab Girl by Hope Jahren was selected to be the focal read for Orange County, and activities will take place in Spring of 2021.

The OC Health Care Agency's Environmental Health Division has closed all of the Huntington Harbour bay water area in the City of Huntington Beach due to a sewage spill caused by a cracked force main. The affected bay water area will remain closed to ocean water-contact sports until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in May 2020 as compared with May 2019. In May 2020, the Airport served 82,342 passengers, a decrease of 91.3% when compared with the May 2019 passenger traffic count of 942,680.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will begin to open some offices with limited functionality effective Monday, June 22, 2020, in accordance with the State's variance to safely reopen business. This phased re-opening will help to ensure a greater number of Orange County residents have access to public assistance benefits and related services, while planning for the safety and protection of SSA clients and staff during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Posing the question, "Could it be COVID?" The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) this week launches a multifaceted community outreach and advertising initiative aimed at the county's most vulnerable populations – people who can’t get COVID-19 testing from their health care providers or may not have insurance.

After being in quarantine for over 90 days, World War II Army Air Force Veteran Captain Frank Wendzel celebrated a significant milestone of turning 100 years old this past Sunday, June 14, 2020.

The County of Orange has appointed James "Jim" Treadaway as the new Director of Orange County Public Works (OCPW) effective Friday, June 19.

The County of Orange will allow the re-opening of practices for youth sports under COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Day Camps.

On Friday, June 12, 2020, Dr. Clayton Chau, Acting County Health Officer, will approve the re-opening of certain additional industries in Orange County, California, following his review of local epidemiological data including cases per 100,000 population, rate of test positivity, and local preparedness to support a health care surge, vulnerable populations, and contact tracing and testing.

Dr. Nichole Quick, Public Health Officer announced her departure from the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) effective yesterday evening.

After remaining closed since March to help stop the spread of COVID-19, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is excited to announce the reopening of his offices to the public effective Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

"Volar," a new sculpture generously donated by renowned artist Betty Gold, is now part of John Wayne Airport's permanent art collection. The art piece, which means “to fly” is located in Terminal A, at Baggage Claim Carousel 1 in the Arrival (lower) Level of the Riley Terminal.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released new guidance for the reopening of additional sectors of economies in jurisdictions like Orange County that have already submitted an attestation and received approval to move deeper into Stage 2 of the State's Resilience Roadmap.

OC Animal Care will be kicking off the Family Fur-st Drive Thru Pet Pantry to support Orange County families in need of pet food. The Family Fur-st Pet Food Pantry events will take place on the second Saturday of every month while food is available, and the need is still present in the community.

The recount of the ballots cast in the City of Westminster Special Recall Election has concluded with no change to the original outcome. The recount began Tuesday, April 28, 2020 and concluded Friday, May 29, 2020.

In light of recently-issued industry guidance by the California Department of Public Health and Cal-OSHA regarding places of worship and hair salons, the County Health Officer today issued amended Health Officer's Orders and strong recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County as more businesses move toward re-opening. They revise and supersede the May 23, 2020 Orders and recommendations.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in April 2020 as compared with April 2019. In April 2020, the Airport served 25,313 passengers, a decrease of 97.2% when compared with the April 2019 passenger traffic count of 899,186.

Today the State of California has approved the County of Orange's plan to accelerate local businesses into Stage Two. The County was able to successfully demonstrate that Orange County meets the State’s required metrics as outlined in the California Resiliency Roadmap.

The County Health Officer today issued a new Health Officer's Order and additional strong recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County as more businesses move toward re-opening.

In partnership with 3D Event Designer, the County of Orange is launching the Back2Business Initiative program to help local small businesses impacted by COVID-19 safely reopen by meeting local, state and federal social distancing guidelines.

The County of Orange lifted parking restrictions along Black Star Canyon Road today to once again accommodate trails users visiting the area. Roadside parking is once again available between the Black Star Canyon trailhead and Silverado Canyon Road.

Following Governor Gavin Newsom's recent announcement to add more than 80 community-testing sites focused on underserved communities across the state, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has partnered with the California Department of Public Health to launch four new testing sites in the cities of Buena Park, Orange, Santa Ana and San Juan Capistrano.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to reopen parking lots at all County regional and wilderness parks.

On Friday, April 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved California's application to operate a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program during the COVID-19 crisis.

Beaches operated by the County of Orange will reopen today with limitations. The State of California approved the County of Orange Phased Beach Reopening Plan Thursday to reopen County-operated beaches for limited recreational activities following a week-long, state-mandated closure.

Sergio Perez started as the Executive Director of the Office of Independent Review (OIR).

The County of Orange has received a $900,000 grant from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to provide economic support for dislocated workers.

The County of Orange (County) is pleased to announce the launch of the Great Plates Delivered program to support seniors and local businesses needing assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. The County will partner with multiple local food providers to deliver three nutritious meals a day to adults 65 and older and adults 60-64 who are at high-risk from COVID-19, to support them staying home and healthy.

The County of Orange (County) Community Services Community Investment Division has partnered with Google Fiber and Orange County United Way to provide loaner laptops and hotspots in an effort to increase access to workforce development programs and services offered through the Irvine One-Stop Center during this critical period.

Accuracy testing of Orange County's voting system will take place Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. for the May 19, 2020, City of Santa Ana Special Recall Election.

John Wayne Airport will come together with 22 other airports across North America via Facebook Live on May 6 at 3 p.m. (PST) for the JetStream Music Festival, an online celebration of music featuring a lineup of musicians local to each airport's city in support of the creative community during the COVID-19 health pandemic.

Clayton Chau, M.D., Ph.D., as the new Director of the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), effective May 4, 2020.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) today announced that the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has expedited the implementation of EBT online purchasing to allow greater access to food and other necessary household items during the COVID-19 crisis and statewide stay at home order.

Yesterday David M. Souleles, MPH Director of Public Health Services announced his retirement from the OC Health Care Agency (HCA).

Effective at 12 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020, all employees of any grocery store, pharmacy/drug store, convenience store, gas station, restaurant, food preparation establishment, or retail store in Orange County who may have contact with the public must wear a cloth face covering while at work.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is pleased to announce the launch of the OC COVID-19 Testing Network, which offers COVID-19 testing starting Tuesday, April 21, 2020 to Orange County residents who meet the criteria detailed below.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in March 2020 as compared with March 2019. In March 2020, the Airport served 337,981 passengers, a decrease of 63.4% when compared with the March 2019 passenger traffic count of 923,403.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) invites employees and citizens of Orange County to show their support in ending childhood abuse and neglect by wearing blue on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Effective Friday, April 17, 2020, the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department will begin offering marriage licenses and civil marriage ceremonies to couples whose marriage appointments were postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Effective Saturday, April 18, the Orange County COVID-19 Public Information Hotline will refer callers to the OC Health Care Agency Health Referral Line.

In-person Vote Center voting in the City of Santa Ana Special Recall Election, which was scheduled to begin on Saturday, May 9, 2020 and run through May 19, 2020, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 response. The election will now be conducted as an all-mail ballot election.

The Orange County Treasurer is now accepting penalty cancellation requests for taxpayers who have been directly impacted by COVID-19.

County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick reminds Orange County residents that individuals experiencing symptoms of a medical emergency need to seek immediate health care or call 9-1-1.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced today that the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued emergency CalFresh allotments as authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Orange County will conduct a risk-limiting audit beginning Thursday, April 16, 2020.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in February 2020 as compared with February 2019.

County of Orange Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick today issued a recommendation strongly encouraging all employees at essential businesses to wear a face covering while at work and all residents engaged in essential activities outside the home to do the same.

Effective Saturday, April 11, the Orange County COVID-19 Public Information Hotline and Health Referral Line will take calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Orange County Treasurer has payment options for all taxpayers during this unprecedented medical emergency.

State law governs when property taxes are due and payable, and Treasurer-Tax Collector (Treasurer) is not authorized to change the April 10 deadline. We suggest that you "Stay Home, Stay Safe and Pay Online" using our no cost eCheck (bank account) payment option that provides same day credit and an emailed or printed receipt at ocgov.com/octaxbill, and is secure once you get to the third party payment page.

Recent guidance posted by the California Department of Public Health states Californians who must leave their homes to conduct essential activities should wear face coverings, if they feel comfortable doing so, and practice strict hand washing before and after touching and adjusting the covering.

Effective Saturday, April 4, the Orange County COVID-19 Public Information Hotline and Health Referral Line will take calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

The County of Orange is encouraging residents to create a family preparedness plan in the event they are impacted by COVID-19. Family preparedness is a mainstay of planning for emergencies such as earthquakes and fires, and they are equally important during a health pandemic.

On March 19, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom and the State Public Health Officer ordered all individuals to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. The order also dictated individuals employ social distancing practices by maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.

Effective immediately, residents can now call 1(833)426-6411 for inquiries related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Orange County, California. This hotline will provide resources specific to the Orange County COVID-19 response.

Starting today, the County of Orange is posting reported novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases by city on a daily basis on the OC Health Care website http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus. The total case counts and city counts will be updated every afternoon.

SANTA ANA – Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich announces her full support for waiver of penalties, costs or other charges as allowed by existing state law for taxpayers that fail to make a timely payment. The impact of the COVID19 has been financially devastating for many Orange County taxpayers.

The County of Orange would like to caution residents who wish to use non-FDA approved COVID-19 testing kits claiming to confirm if they have the disease. Deceitful tests and products can pose health risks. These non-approved tests can produce false negatives which can then result in infected persons not be placed in quarantine/isolation or may delay necessary medical treatment.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has observed a significant increase in COVID-19 cases throughout Orange County with the current reported cases at 256, an increase of 69 cases since 3/25/20. The total number of people tested by HCA Public Health Lab (PHL) and by commercial labs is 3,605.

Effective today, Orange County Community Services will expand call center hours to meet the needs of seniors, veterans, business owners and the unemployed affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Orange County Community Services oversees the Orange County Veterans Service Office, Office on Aging and Community Investment Division programs.

On Wednesday, March 25, Orange County Health Department (HCA) will begin accepting donations of protective equipment and supplies for use by healthcare providers throughout the county.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) today confirmed the first death of an Orange County resident related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

In an effort to minimize the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on park patrons, staff, and the Orange County community at large, and consistent with the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Governor’s office, and the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), OC Parks is currently operating in the following manner as of Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

Effective immediately, residents can now sign up to receive text message updates related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Orange County, California. To opt-in for this service, text OCCOVID19 to 888777.

Due to the Governor's activation of the National Guard to assist in food and supplies distribution, the Cold Weather Emergency Shelters located at the Fullerton and Santa Ana National Guard Armories will be relocated by Tuesday.

The County of Orange has identified the former Joplin Youth Center in Trabuco Canyon as a placement site for sheltered homeless persons who are older but not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19.

Testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now available in a number of public health, commercial and hospital laboratories in California, however broad scale testing is not available.

To reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, Governor Gavin Newsom and the State Public Health Officer issued an order telling all California residents to stay home unless they work in one of the 16 federal critical infrastructure sectors (https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19).

In response to the County Health Officer's Order related to COVID-19, County of Orange departments have made the following changes to services.

The County of Orange is exploring all precautionary and preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the homeless population.

To minimize adverse health consequences and resource impact from COVID-19, and consistent with guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Orange County Health Care Agency has shifted the approach in public health away from containment and toward mitigation, a more effective strategy to address the virus county-wide.

The County of Orange today announced the availability of resources and support for seniors over 60 who may be self-isolating during the COVID-19 outbreak in Orange County.

In response to the County Health Officer's Order related to COVID-19, County of Orange departments have made the following changes to services:

At 6:30 p.m., Governor Gavin Newsom issued directions to California residents to stay at home unless they are participating in essential functions like purchasing food or meeting other “essential needs.”

The Public Health Order issued by the County Health Officer on March 17, 2020 has been amended in light of new and changing State guidelines and to provide clarity for Orange County residents and businesses. It is important for all Orange County residents and businesses to read the Order and Guidance in its entirety.

Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be closing all of his department’s office locations to the public effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, as a precautionary measure to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus also known as COVID-19. The Clerk-Recorder believes that it is in the best interest of its customers and employees to make some temporary changes in service delivery processes and to use mail and online services as much as possible. This will reduce exposure for all parties and allow services to continue with limited interruptions.

County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick issued a Health Officer's Order today to protect that health and wellbeing of Orange County, CA residents. "We are taking these mitigation steps in line with a directive issued by Governor Newsom to help slow the spread of COVID-19," said Dr. Nichole Quick, County Health Officer. "We recognize community members may experience anxiety related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, and want to encourage residents to reach out to loved ones using appropriate methods like telephone, video messaging, email and text."

Today's order from County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick is NOT an order to shelter in place. It is not a lockdown. It is important for all Orange County businesses to remain open while practicing social distancing consistent with the Governor's guidance. However, following State guidelines, all bars and other establishments that serve alcohol and do not serve food shall close. All restaurants and other business establishments that serve food shall close all onsite dining. Pickup, delivery and drive thru services may remain open. It is important for all Orange County residents to read the order in its entirety.

"The County of Orange departments have suspended various services to support social distancing to protect residents and County employees," said OC Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District. "It's imperative that residents and County employees alike employ the proper precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones during this time."

SANTA ANA, CA – March 11, 2020 - Orange County will conduct a risk-limiting audit beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. The ballot comparison audit is not required under California law, and is being conducted in addition to the one percent manual tally of precincts.

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in January 2020 as compared with January 2019. In January 2020, the Airport served 806,386 passengers, a decrease of 1.6% when compared with the January 2019 passenger traffic count of 819,358.

Community health mitigation decisions and strategies are crucial to slowing the transmission of COVID-19 (commonly known as novel coronavirus) in Orange County, California. While the County of Orange risk levels are still low, the County wants to be prepared in the event additional guidance and/or guidelines on COVID-19 come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), respectively.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is pleased to share results of the first full year of the implementation of the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) countywide.

The OC Health Care Agency's (HCA) Public Health Laboratory today confirmed two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, a man in his 60s and a female in her 30s with recent travel to countries with widespread transmission.

The County of Orange has proclaimed the week of March 1 - 7 as National Consumer Protection Week, and the Orange County Treasurer, Shari L. Freidenrich, is leading the County's effort to educate consumers about available resources to help them better safeguard their personal and financial information.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has issued the 2020 Award of Excellence to 3,463 Orange County food facilities to recognize local businesses for their outstanding food safety and sanitation practices during 2019.

On Sunday, March 1, 2020 at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Orange County Registrar of Voters received reports that a shooting occurred near the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Santa Ana (the site of one of our Vote Centers). Vote Center staff and voters have been evacuated and are safe. An active criminal investigation is taking place and the Santa Ana Police Department is asking the public to stay away from the vicinity of the area.

Today the United States Federal Government filed a Federal Notice of Movement to remove Fairview Development Center in Costa Mesa as a site to house persons who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Today the County of Orange Board of Supervisors unanimously directed the Office of County Counsel to file an Amicus brief with the United States District Court regarding pending federal litigation in the City of Costa Mesa, et. al v. United States of America, et. al. regarding the use of the Fairview Development Center for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Further details including the Amicus brief will be provided at a later time.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) today issued a statement of support for the City of Costa Mesa's legal action, taken yesterday, to temporarily halt a plan by state and federal agencies to use the Fairview Developmental Center as a location to quarantine individuals from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

The Registrar of Voters is urging Orange County's voters to not wait until March 3rd to vote. This election voting is different - new options allow voters to vote in-person over an 11-day window. Vote Centers are open now through March 3, 2020 – for locations and hours visit ocvote.com/votecenter.

The County of Orange has declared a local emergency and a local health emergency to prepare for COVID-19, commonly known as novel coronavirus.

Traveling through John Wayne Airport just became a lot less "ruff" and a lot more “PAWS-itive.” Thanks to the Orange County Board of Supervisors and Orange County Animal Allies (OC Animal Allies), your next trip to John Wayne Airport may include an encounter with a certified animal ambassador.

Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be celebrating the one year anniversary of the opening of his department's North County Branch Office in Anaheim.

The year 2020 is a Leap Year, and since a Leap Day only occurs every four years Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be opening his offices for couples who wish to marry on Leap Day, Saturday, February 29.

OC Public Libraries is getting library card holders excited by offering a fine forgiveness program, "Fine Free Library Days," from February 14-29, 2020. To celebrate the Leap Year, library users with outstanding library fines are invited to “Take a Leap Back to the Library.” Items with overdue fines or marked "lost" can be returned to any of the library system's 32 branches, and related fines and fees will be waived.

Each election in Orange County, the Orange County Registrar of Voters invites members of the public to observe the election process. Election observers are permitted to observe Vote Centers operations, including opening and closing procedures, view all activities at the central counting site, view mail ballot and provisional ballot processing, and much more.

(SANTA ANA, CA) – Known as a pioneer of the British and international fashion scenes since the late 60s, Dame Zandra Rhodes brings her theatrical sense of style and design to John Wayne Airport in a new 'The Art of Opera' display showcasing her vibrant and textile-inspired set and costume designs for two operas, AÏDA, and The Pearl Fishers. Ticketed passengers can view the exhibit through June 2020.

(Santa Ana, CA) – If you get prescribed opioids, you may end up wishing you hadn't. Opioid misuse and addiction can affect anyone; fortunately, there are other ways to help manage pain. That's the message behind a new County of Orange campaign that launches this week.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is pleased to announce the recognition of employees Juan Reynoso and Nicole Strattman by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for their efforts in combating human trafficking among children, youth and families. The month of January commemorates Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

The Anaheim Ducks official mascot Wild Wing will be making a special appearance at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department's North County Branch Office in Anaheim on Valentine’s Day during the department’s extended hours. Wild Wing will be at the office from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00p.m. and will be helping Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen welcome couples looking to "tie the knot"on what is considered the most romantic day of the year. The office is located at 222 S. Harbor Blvd, Ste. 110, Anaheim, CA 92805.

Orange County, Calif. (January 30, 2020) – The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is pleased to announce the availability of its Families and Communities Together (FaCT) platform annual report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-2019, covering the period from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The report addresses the critical role that FaCT and its network of 15 Family Resource Centers (FRCs) play in the County's efforts to ensure children in Orange County grow up in stable, nurturing families and safe, supportive communities.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in December 2019 as compared with December 2018. In December 2019, the Airport served 891,492 passengers, an increase of 7.7% when compared with the December 2018 passenger traffic count of 828,070.

The OC Health Care Agency's (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this evening that an Orange County, California case has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is pleased to announce that recruitment is now open for the CalOptima Board of Directors. A County-organized health system, CalOptima serves more than 750,000 low-income children, adults, seniors and persons with disabilities. CalOptima was formed in 1995 in response to a healthcare system that was struggling to meet the needs of vulnerable Orange County residents. Today, CalOptima has grown to be the single largest health insurer in Orange County, and has stayed true to its mission of providing members with access to quality health care services.

Supervisor Michelle Steel, Second District, has been chosen unanimously by her colleagues to serve as Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors for 2020. Supervisor Andrew Do, First District, will serve as the Board's Vice Chairman.

Artist, philanthropist, and retired federal law enforcement official, Elizabeth (Liz) Nguyen-Espinoza, creates thought-provoking art to carry on her mother’s charity work of raising awareness of the social issues affecting children and promoting their overall health through fundraising. Her paintings are on display in the John Wayne Airport Community Focus Space from January 16 – February 13, 2020.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – The Orange County Auditor-Controller's office has released this year’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), also known as the Citizen’s Report, a summary guide to the in-depth County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The PAFR summarizes key aspects of the CAFR in layman's terms and is designed specifically to help taxpayers understand the larger and more complex report on County financial data. Both reports reflect information from the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year which began on July 1, 2018 and ended on June 30, 2019.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is pleased to announce the availability of its annual report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-2019, covering the period from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The report highlights the agency's accomplishments and initiatives and shares the positive impacts that SSA has made to the community as a whole, serving over one in four county residents.

Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen invites the public to take advantage of Passport Day in Santa Ana to get their passports now and avoid last minute travel delays.For the fourth year in a row, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be hosting this special day at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana.Only applications for new passports will be accepted. This year's opening will be held on Saturday March 7, 2020 from 9 am to 3 pm.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed Orange County's first influenza-related death this season in a person under 65 years of age. An adult male resident of Tustin who had underlying health conditions died of complications related to influenza B infection.

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in November 2019 as compared with November 2018. In November 2019, the Airport served 827,140 passengers, a decrease of 2.7% when compared with the November 2018 passenger traffic count of 850,458.

The Board of Supervisors appointed Julie Quillman as the new County Librarian, effective immediately, following a year-long recruitment to fill the high-level position. The position became vacant after the retirement of former County Librarian, Helen Fried, in August 2018.

On behalf of the Orange County Health Improvement Partnership (HIP), the OC Health Care Agency announces the availability of the 2020-22 Orange County Health Improvement Plan for public review and comment at http://www.ochealthiertogether.org/ through January 20, 2020. The plan lays out assessments, goals, objectives and strategies for six priority areas over the next three years.

For those looking to tie the knot on what many consider to be the most romantic day of the year, look no further. This upcoming Valentine's Day, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be offering extended hours at his offices in Anaheim, Laguna Hills and at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana. Instead of its normal closing hours, the department will close at 5:30 pm to issue marriage licenses and perform marriage ceremonies.

Effective March 30, Orange County Community Services has implemented a call center to meet the needs of businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced today the availability of a dedicated hotline for current recipients of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Hotline staff are now available to discuss recipients' urgent needs amid the COVID19 crisis and Governor Newsom’s subsequent stay-at-home order to prevent the further spread of illness.

The OC Health Care Agency's (HCA) Environmental Health Division has closed the ocean water from Sleepy Hollow Lane to Cleo Street in the City of Laguna Beach to swimming, surfing, and diving due to a raw sewage spill.

$0The National Association of Counties (NACo) presented John Wayne Airport with an Achievement Award for Best in Category – Human Services for the Airport’s “Helping Hands” program. The program provides individualized assistance, easing the stress associated with airport travel for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and other hidden disabilities.$0$0$0$0