Costa Mesa city leaders are beginning to move on a series of park improvements made possible by $11.2 million in funding from two local legislators seeking to expand access to public open space. Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) allocated $1.2 million in the state budget to help widen the footprint of another west-side pocket park, Ketchum-Libolt.
Los Angeles, CA (January 21, 2023) - On this week’s “In Focus SoCal,” host Tanya McRae looks at new legislation that has gone into effect in California to address some important issues. Rising cases, the urgent need for intervention, and new legislation highlight the severity of the problem as the fentanyl crisis takes a toll on communities and families.
Orange County, CA (January 23, 2024) - United to End Homelessness℠, an initiative of Orange County United Way, announced that it has housed 1,000 individuals through its WelcomeHomeOC℠ housing navigation and landlord incentive program. The program marks this milestone to start the new year as it continues to actively match individuals and families experiencing homelessness with property providers throughout the county.
Costa Mesa, CA (January 18, 2024) - The state created the program called Homekey three years ago during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Homekey is one way the state is trying to confront the homelessness crisis by funding conversions that come with a far lower price tag than building new housing. The money from the state is typically combined with other funding sources to buy the buildings and renovate them for people to live in.
Orange County, CA (December 30, 2023) - Under the new legislation, introduced by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, D-Irvine, the sale, possession and transport of all species of an invasive saltwater algae, Caulerpa, is banned in California. The invasive species, typically found in tropical regions, was mostly recently discovered by a diver in Newport Harbor in 2021.
Costa Mesa, CA (December 19, 2023) - Clad in protective gloves and rubber boots, about 40 volunteers ventured into the area where Irvine Avenue meets Mesa Drive at the Santa Ana Delhi River Channel in Newport Beach Saturday to help prevent debris from polluting coastal waters. A considerable amount of trash and debris awaited their attention. When the work was done some 3,100 pounds of it had been collected, all of which had accumulated since the last cleanup was held just before Thanksgiving.
Laguna Beach, CA. December 8, 2023 - Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris pointed to the state’s mandate to take climate action by transitioning new vehicle sales to zero-emission vehicles. “Policymakers, lawmakers do a really good job setting very ambitious goals,” Petrie-Norris said. “Sadly, we cannot just wave a magic wand to achieve those goals. For us to get this job done, for us to realize our clean energy future, we need companies like Rivian.”
Stanton, CA. December 7, 2023 - “We need lots of renewable clean energy. We need systems that can harness that energy. We need resilient systems that can stay up in the face of unpredictable demand and even in the event of disaster. And most importantly, we need that now,” Petrie-Norris said. “And so this project is absolutely what Orange County needs. It’s absolutely what California needs.”
Orange, CA. October 17, 2023 – “Crystal Cove is a true gem along the California coast, and I’m thrilled to have helped preserve these unique pieces of history, so that visitors from all over can experience the magic of Crystal Cove State Park with a getaway at the beach cottages,” Petrie-Norris said in a statement. “It’s places like this that offer lifelong memories and experiences for people of all backgrounds, and it is imperative that they be saved for generations to come.”
Orange, CA. October 17, 2023 – The new center was made possible with funding from county, state and federal leaders. The OC Board of Supervisors approved $40 million toward the project, and an additional $15 million was provided by CalOptima Health. A $37.6 million grant came from the state’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, $12 million in state funding was secured by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and $2 million in federal funding was secured by Congressman Lou Correa.