The San Juan Capistrano City Council gave the approval on Tuesday, Feb. 6, nixing a recommendation by the Planning Commission.

Since November, city officials have been collecting suggestions from the community to name the future passive park on the corner of San Juan Creek Road and La Novia Avenue. The Planning Commission reviewed more than 70 names submitted and recommended “Tony Forster Park.”

Tony Forster was a San Juan Capistrano mayor from 1971 to 1972 as well as a councilmember and planning commissioner. He was also the president of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society from 1991 until he died in 2007.

Councilmembers, however, rejected the suggestion.

“My reservation with naming the park after a person is what if, after 30 years, people want to change the name of the park,” said Councilmember John Taylor. “It is very difficult to change it if it is the name of a person.”

“I want to keep it neutral,” said Taylor.

Councilmember Troy Bourne noted that the park is not located near Marco Forster Middle School, colloquially known as just “Forster School.” The school has a park next to the campus, which Bourne said would create some confusion if the new park were to be similarly named.

And with a windmill planned for the park, Bourne said that “most people will call it Windmill Park anyways.”

“I think we need to find a way to honor Tony in some other manner,” said Councilmember Howard Hart.

Only Councilmember John Campbell objected to the Windmill Park moniker, saying, “When you look at the accomplishments of this one man (Forster), I think that they are significant enough to afford this recognition.”

Other suggested names, according to a staff report, were El Molino Park (windmill in Spanish), Harvest Park, Hitching Post Park, Mariposa Park (butterfly in Spanish) and Orange Grove Park.

After years of negotiations, the San Juan Capistrano City Council in June unanimously approved a plan to lease city-owned property off of San Juan Creek Road and La Novia Avenue to the San Juan Hills Golf Club to create the park.

Currently under construction, the new park will include a native pollinator garden, bench seating, oak shade trees, a boardwalk, citrus trees and a hitching post for horses as well as a corrugated water trough that will have a windmill to circulate the water.

The City Council approved a 30-year initial term lease with a 20-year available extension, amounting to $50,000 annually to fund park maintenance and supplement other nearby city-constructed improvements. The total area of the lease is five acres, but construction plans only use a little over one acre of that space.

Construction is underway and is expected to be finished by summer, according to assistant city manager Matisse Reischl.

The area of Seapoint Street to Warner Avenue was first closed at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, according to Christine Knadler, Caltrans public information officer for District 12, which is Orange County.

“We haven’t been able to reopen it for safety reasons,” Knadler said.

It was the only major roadway closed as of Tuesday late afternoon, with some smaller closures elsewhere mostly from drainage issues, she said. “We’re working on those pretty quickly.”

The flooding along Pacific Coast Highway – a heavily used roadway – stems from the wetlands area, with seawater flooding up onto the road.

“We’ll reopen it as soon as it’s safe to do so,” Knadler said.

Pacific Coast Highway is a stretch that sees 20,000 to 25,000 motorists daily and the flooding is an issue every time it rains, a significant impact for people who use the major thoroughfare, said Huntington Beach city public information officer Jennifer Carey.

“The rainfall doesn’t have anywhere to go, there’s not a high enough seawall to block the Bolsa Chica Wetlands from overflowing,” she said. “The reality is, anytime there is any sort of rain, we just anticipate for that to be closed.”

There were no other major issues throughout the city, she said, other than a street closure on southbound traffic that started Monday afternoon due to flooding on Magnolia Street just south of Edison High School. The street was expected to reopen sometime Tuesday afternoon.

Newport Beach also didn’t have any major issues, other than pump crews addressing some minor pooling spots as they arose, said Newport Beach spokesperson John Pope.

A concrete wall along the Prima Deshecha Flood Control Channel just north of Calle Grande Vista buckled due to slipping debris in San Clemente, according to Councilmember Chris Duncan.

To repair the wall and restore proper flow in the channel, staff was set to meet with consultants and a local contractor Wednesday morning, he said.

Meanwhile, voluntary evacuation warnings were in place through the day for Silverado, Williams, Modjeska and Trabuco canyons, according to Shannon Widor, OC Public Works spokesperson.

Road and hillside conditions in the unincorporated canyon areas held up well as the rain storms eased up early evening, he said.

Local residents prepared for the rain by using sandbags and wattles to handle storm water, while OCPW crews cleared mud and rocks from roadsides and culverts so storm water doesn’t back-up.

“While there was a voluntary evacuation and flood watch in place, we didn’t see any significant issues,” he said, noting there were several areas of ponding water, rocks and thin layers of mud across canyon roadways.

“Our crews had heavy equipment already staged in the canyons, so we were able to keep roads open for residents, service providers and emergency responders,” he said, noting crews would still be on-call through the evening in case any issues were reported.

“We fared very well throughout this storm,” he said. .

OC Public Works was continuing to monitor any ground movement in the canyons and residents should keep sandbags in place until notified otherwise, OC Public Works warned in a public advisory.

In Dana Point, the city’s public works crews plan to close Coast Highway between Palisades and Camino Capistrano to all traffic on Thursday, Feb. 8, to clear locations where space behind the concrete barrier filled up with debris, a barrier to avoid having any end up on the roadway shoulder.

“Intermittent closures may occur before then and work could continue into Friday,” said Matt Sinacori, the city’s director of Public Works and City Engineer. “We encourage everyone to use caution when driving as weather conditions are constantly changing. We also thank everyone for their support and understanding.  It is Dana Point’s goal to keep everyone safe on the road.”

In Lake Forest, several fields and a few low-lying parks had been closed since Monday due to the heavy rainfall. Some parks in the city are specifically designed to function as retention basins during such weather events, which results in pooling across some of these fields, said spokesperson Jonathan Volzke.

“Today’s rain is certainly more intense than anything we’ve seen in a while, but our storm drains seem to be doing their jobs,” said Volzke. “None of our streets are closed. We do have public works folks out patrolling and so far, so good.”

The Lake Forest Golf Course had to close its driving range because it serves as a retention basin for the city, resulting in significant water accumulation. But, according to general manager Dave Brown, this is normal and there were even some people still playing in the rain on the regular course.

Much of Anaheim was included in Tuesday’s flash flood warning. City spokesperson Mike Lyster said the city was doing relatively well. Water could be seen building up on right lanes along roadways, but no streets were closed due to flooding.

Workers in Anaheim were out cleaning storm drains throughout the city, clearing muddy water runoff on Santa Ana Canyon Road and removing a 70-foot eucalyptus tree that fell over Anaheim Hills Road on Tuesday morning.

That tree blocked two lanes of traffic along Anaheim Hills Road near South Via Montanera. City contractors were out cutting up the tree to clear the roadway, Lyster said.

Since Sunday, Anaheim had four minor power outages reported, affecting a few hundred people. All of those power outages have been restored, Lyster said.

At the Anaheim Convention Center, the storm didn’t stop a manufacturing trade show that runs through Thursday from beginning.

But lately, due to unprecedented inclement weather, a recent move and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the farm is looking a bit different this year. It’s had to downsize tremendously, both in crops and employees. South Coast Farm, as it grapples with financial struggles, had to lay off a third of its employees in Dec. 2023 for the first time since opening over 25 years ago.

Situated in San Juan Capistrano off of Ortega Highway, the farm specializes in strawberries for the community. Most of South Coast’s harvest is typically sold at farmer’s markets across Orange County and at a stand in Dana Point. These operate in the spring and summer months.

Because strawberries can’t grow in the cold, the farm typically closes during the winter and reopens in February, said George Kibby. However, this year, the farm may not open again until the summer.

“We are limping through this with the hope all farmers have of a better year to come,” said Kibby. “Our losses these past few years, losses due to bad weather and bad decisions on my part, have really eaten into our cash reserves and threatened our ability to continue farming.”

South Coast’s harvest has been delayed by about 45 to 60 days compared to other farms, mainly because of colder weather patterns in the area, Kibby said. Unlike many other Orange County farms, South Coast does not have the benefit of alluvial soils, which is extremely fertile soil that is typically found closer to the ocean. Due to South Coast’s location in the Santa Ana mountains, the soil is rockier and freezes easier.

Last winter and spring, Southern California experienced a very unusually wet year. Freezes in late winter “wreaked havoc” on the Kibbys’ strawberry crops, he said, costing about $180,000 in losses.

And then there was the flash flood in March 2023 that washed away half of the year’s strawberry crop, Kibby said. This cost the farm about $75,000.

South Coast Farm’s crop is about 90% strawberries and the rest is seasonal produce, according to Kibby. Strawberries are the second most produced crop in the county, according to the Orange County Farm Bureau, racking in just over $19.5 million annually.

“The challenges of farming are well known,” said Kibby. “As the old timers used to say: ‘too hot, too cold, too dry, too wet, too much dirt.’”

“We went back in and reworked the soil and replanted,” said Kibby about last winter, “but yields were poor, even by our low standards. It only takes a single weather event to destroy a crop, and then that season is over.”

The University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources division tracks weather patterns in Coto de Caza, just about three miles away from the farm.

In January 2022, UCANR recorded about 0.03 inches of rainfall, drastically less than the 4.63 inches recorded in January 2023. In March 2022, 1.84 inches of rainfall was recorded compared to 8.78 inches a year later.

Weather is not the only challenge the farm is facing, though. Kibby said that costs have been on the rise since the pandemic, especially with farming becoming an “increasingly rare skill.”

“I know people associate farm work with manual labor, but skills are required in pruning trees, vines and tomatoes, too,” said Kibby. “Knowing how to care for crops properly allows the crop to produce to its maximum potential. In the end, that is all a farmer can do: prepare the crop for maximum potential and wait and see.”

Jose Arriaga, Orange County’s agricultural commissioner, said this lack of labor availability in fieldwork has been noticeable over the past year.

“A lot of strawberry fieldwork is very intensive,” said Arriaga. “We do see a struggle to find workers who are willing and able.”

As challenges continue to accumulate, Kibby said the farm had to make the “very difficult decision to lay employees off” in December.

“I should have let a few of my full-time fellows go last winter when it was becoming obvious costs were running away from income,” said Kibby. “But I couldn’t do it. You go to these friends’ children’s quinceañeras, their weddings. You help them through divorces and legal issues. You consider them family.”

Outside support from the federal Department of Agriculture has been hit-and-miss, according to Kibby.

In 2023, the USDA rolled out a program designed to help specialty crop growers after the COVID-19 pandemic, called the Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program. Kibby applied for max payout from this program, which totaled $125,000, and was accepted soon after. However, requests for assistance under PARP far exceeded the funds available, said USDA spokesperson Brooke Raffaele, and USDA had to put a cap on how much funding farms could get. South Coast Farms ended up receiving only $11,875.

“That was very disappointing,” said Kibby. “We counted on that money, even sent in a tractor for extensive repairs. We had no way to pay for the repairs which amounted to $23,000.”

With support from the community, including through a GoFundMe, Kibby says he hopes the farm can reopen in March, but still, it might not be able to reopen until the summer months. As of Monday, Feb. 5, the couple’s fundraiser has brought in more than $51,000.

With the money, Kibby said the farm will be able to invest in “eco-friendly initiatives that preserve the land and promote biodiversity” as well as “repair the tractor, get an upgraded cooler and new greenhouse for transplant growing and finish overall vehicle and machinery maintenance.”

“The future in farming, and of any farm, is always in doubt,” said Kibby. “Ours is no different. There is so much outside of one’s control. That is just the way it is and should be.”

“But we have had a great run farming locally, and it has been a privilege to do so.”

“It’s been hard for all of us,” said Esqueda. “We are just keeping our heads up and leaning on each other. Our focus is my health and leaving everything in God’s hands. Prayer is what gets us through.”

The Green Chile Cantina, which offers a blend of American and Mexican cuisine, had only been open for about five months before disaster struck. On the morning of Sunday, Jan. 21, Esqueda got a call that a fire had broken out in the kitchen and destroyed the restaurant.

The kitchen and prep kitchen were completely burned out, the ceiling in the pizza kitchen collapsed and there were six holes in the roof with the rest of the ceiling collapsing, Esqueda said. There was also water damage from a broken pipe in the kitchen, which leaked into the dining area.

The fire was knocked down in about 25 minutes and caused an estimated $400,000 in damage, Orange County Fire Authority Captian Greg Barta said at the time. Fire investigators told Esqueda the cause was likely electrical, but the investigation on the source is still ongoing, she said.

The restaurant, Esqueda said, is a total loss.

“They say that the rebuild is going to take at least a year,” said Esqueda. “We are not sure what the future holds, and we are still ironing out all of the details in regards to the building.”

“Everything is messed up and destroyed, it’s all going to have to be rebuilt.”

Due to the fire, Esqueda’s 27 employees have had to find other work or go on unemployment, she said.

Esqueda was already struggling to balance the demands of keeping her business operational while prioritizing her health needs at the time of the fire. Just days before Green Chile Cantina opened its doors for the first time in August, Esqueda was given a diagnosis of stage three follicular helper T-cell lymphoma.

Now, Esqueda has had to delay medical appointments because of the chaos of the fire’s aftermath.

Right after the fire occurred, Esqueda said her phone was “ringing off the hook” from her insurance adjuster, fire officials, news agencies and community members wanting updates. She’s also diabetic, and with her sugar levels so inconsistent of late, she’s had to push PET scans as well, she said.

“I have lots to take care of, and the stress has been so high,” said Esqueda. “I am trying to not overdo it and trying to get rest when I can.”

As she considers what’s next for her Mission Viejo restaurant, Esqueda says she needs to make her health a priority — and the community is rallying behind her.

A fundraiser organized by Esqueda’s family and friends had already been in the works to help Esqueda with her mounting medical bills. But after the fire, it turned into support for the restaurant as well.

“This fundraiser was just meant to be a small thing for the family,” said Valorie Green, a long-time friend and previous owner of the restaurant. “But it blew up with all the news around the fire.”

The event took place in the Green Chile Cantina parking lot on Saturday, Jan. 27. Community members donated gift baskets full of goodies and services to be raffled off or bid on while others sold drinks and food, all to benefit the Esquedas. Close to 50 classic cars and hot rods were also on display for attendees to view.

The city of Mission Viejo assisted with the fundraiser, providing traffic control and portable toilets.

The turnout was “huge and successful,” said Esqueda.

“Mission Viejo really showed up, and there was great community support,” said Esqueda. “Restaurant regulars showed up, and they were so supportive.”

Esqueda and her husband, Tony Esqueda, purchased the Mission Viejo location from Green earlier this year. Seeing this happen to the restaurant that was once hers has been “overwhelming,” Green said.

“It’s difficult for my husband and me since this has been our second home since January 2000,” said Valorie Green. “We were in there often, even after the Esquedas took over because we know many of the patrons. People are coming forward to give support, and it shows what a wonderful community Mission Viejo is and the goodness of people.”

A GoFundMe was created by the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce in the fire’s aftermath. Esqueda said all proceeds will go toward her medical costs as well as provide anywhere from nine to 12 months of income for the employees who are now out of work while the restaurant is being rebuilt.

As of Friday, Feb. 2, more than $7,200 has been raised for the fundraiser’s $25,000 goal.

Esqueda said the best way to support her business and family at this time is to visit Green Chile Cantina’s La Habra location, located at 2050 W Whittier Blvd., and try a stuffed sopaipilla.

Staff writer Mona Darwish contributed to this report.

The more than a century-old railroad bridge in San Juan Capistrano will be replaced with a three-span girder bridge in coordination with the Orange County Transportation Authority and Metrolink, a project expected to be completed by late 2026.

The bridge will be demolished and a new one constructed just west of the existing structure. A new foundation will be constructed on top of the existing bridge for a potential second one in the future; albeit, there are no plans yet in the works for a second structure, said OCTA Spokesperson Eric Carpenter.

During construction, train delays — for commuter and freight service — are expected, but the San Juan Creek Bridge will remain open and operational until the new structure is finished.

“There is no planned service disruption as this bridge is being built,” said Carpenter. “While the construction could require a brief, overnight closure, passengers would see minimal, if any, disruption to regular service.”

Delays and adjustments to the rail service will be posted on Metrolink’s website.

For now, the streets around the railroad bridge — Del Obispo, Camino Capistrano and Paseo Adelanto — are not expected to be closed during construction, but that could be subject to change, said Carpenter. Additionally, the adjacent Descanso Park is expected to remain open.

The San Juan Creek walking and bike trail will have to close during the construction from Camino Capistrano to Descanso Park, however.

The trail is expected to be closed for up to 30 months, said Carpenter, and a detour route will be installed on Del Obispo and Camino Capistrano as well as Trabuco Trail. Officials don’t have a date yet for when the trail will close.

The bridge is being replaced to “enhance safety, reduce maintenance needs and meet current design and bridge load standards,” said Carpenter.

The total cost for the replacement project is estimated at $65.6 million. The project is funded by $1.4 million in local sales tax dollars for transportation improvements, administered by OCTA, as well as $22.9 million in state funds and $41.6 million in federal funds, said Carpenter.

Aside from planned construction projects, the LOSSAN rail corridor has experienced many delays in recent years — and weeks — due to landslides.

Last week, a landslide caused a slope failure and halted rail service around San Clemente, just a few miles south of the San Juan Creek railroad bridge. That marked the fifth service interruption in three years along this stretch due to landslides, according to OCTA.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 31, service is not operating between Laguna Niguel and Oceanside, which includes the San Juan Capistrano station and San Juan Creek railroad bridge, due to the falling debris.

“We don’t anticipate the emergency work in San Clemente having any impact on the timeline on the San Juan Creek Bridge construction project,” said Carpenter. “Both are important to maintaining service on the line and keeping this vital rail line operating for years to come.”

Built in 1917, the San Juan Creek railroad bridge services Metrolink, Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and various freight trains.

An estimated 500 passengers either board or disembark Metrolink trains at the San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Oceanside stations. On weekdays, an estimated 14 trains operate through the area and another 12 on weekends, Metrolink spokesperson Scott Johnson said. Amtrak runs 10 northbound and 10 southbound trains through the area daily.

More information about the project can be found on OCTA’s website.

The 20,000-square-foot skatepark will connect to a neighboring multi-use trail and include three bowls of varying depths as well as a large street plaza that includes banks, hips, handrails, stairs and flat rails. The new park, said Mayor Sergio Fabias, could provide “an opportunity for kids to become Olympians or athletes.”

The City Council’s approval of the new skatepark earlier this month marks another significant addition to Orange County’s extensive skateboarding scene. With this decision, San Juan Capistrano becomes the 24th city in the county to incorporate a skatepark into its recreational facilities.

More than just a sport, skateboarding has become a lifestyle in Orange County. From professional tournaments and competitions to the simple joy of cruising down the sidewalk, skateboarding has firmly established itself as a cultural icon in the county. 

Orange County’s skateboarding roots

The roots of skateboarding in Orange County trace back to the 1960s and ’70s, a pivotal era when the concrete bowls competed with the ocean waves.

“We were the weirdos,” said Terry Casey, a longtime local skateboarding enthusiast.

Growing up in Irvine in the ’70s and ’80s, Casey fell in love with skateboarding, initially, with just a simple wooden board made by his father. He went on to compete in tournaments around Southern California and was sponsored by Sessions Skateshop in Tustin.

When he first started skating in the early ’70s, parks were not “a thing,” Casey said. Most people who picked up the sport would skate around parking lots, drainage pipes, empty swimming pools — any place that could remotely become a decent ride.

But late into the ’70s and the start of the ’80s, skateboarding began to look a little different.

“At this point, skateboarding shifted from becoming just a trend to a bonafide sport,” said Todd Huber, director of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.

Competitions were on the rise, specifically hosted by the International Skateboard Association from Costa Mesa. In 1976, the First Annual Southern California Skateboarding Championships was hosted at the Orange County Fairgrounds, drawing skaters from around the country, including Skateboarding Hall of Fame inductees Russ Howell and Henry Hester.

By this time, skateboarders were reaching celebrity status, appearing in commercials, shows and documentaries. And internationally renowned skateboarding brands emerged and found their home in Orange County. PS Stix, founded by Paul Schmitt, moved his then-new company to Orange County from Florida in 1985, and to this day, it is one of the biggest skateboarding manufacturers in the world, said Huber.

And then there’s Orange County’s impact on the fashion.

In 1966, Paul Van Doren and Jim Van Doren opened the first Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, now famously known as just “Vans.” A pivotal staple of the skateboarding world became the classic black-and-white checkered, rubber-souled shoes.

“I still wear these shoes,” said Casey, who is now in his 60s. “I remember once being at a music gig, and in the front row, I saw a child who was wearing the black-and-white checkered Vans and had to take a picture with them. It is so amazing seeing how these are still so relevant.”

In 1991, Element, a household name in skateboarding, found its way to Orange County by Costa Mesa resident Johnny Schillereff. To this day, Element, with its headquarters now in Huntington Beach, dominates the skateboarding world through its custom board selection and its array of fashion staples, said Huber, and Schillereff is now the CEO of the USA Skateboarding National Team.

Local skate parks were the place to be, like the Concrete Wave in Anaheim and Skatopia in Buena Park. More than just a place to ride, going to parks became a social event, said Casey.

“These parks were places where we could practice our craft freely, surrounded by some of the greats,” said Casey.

​​One of the most well-known parks in Orange County, and one of Casey’s personal favorites, was the Big O in Orange. The Big O housed one of the most infamous skateboarding pools from 1978 until it closed in 1981. The park offered skaters a clover-shaped pool with a small keyhole, alongside a vast array of snake runs, smaller bowls and two pipes.

Local legends were born out of the Big O, including “Master of Disaster” Duane Peters, Carabeth Burnside, Ray “Bones” Rodriguez and Bob Serafin.

What we have and what is to come

After the explosion of the sport some 40 years ago, skateboarding is as popular as ever in Orange County.

“It has become a very inclusive environment,” said Casey. “The sport has integrated into a lot of different cultures now, and it was not that expansive in the ’70s. All socioeconomic backgrounds, all ethnicities — the sport is truly made for everyone.”

There’s still a plethora of skate parks in 23 cities in the county, including in Anaheim which boasts eight. But skateboarders can expect to see more parks “shredding” into Orange County in the next few years.

Construction on the newly approved skatepark in San Juan Capistrano is expected to begin in March and finish in late summer. The park will provide residents with three bowls of varying depths as well as a large street plaza that includes banks, hips, handrails, stairs and flat rails.

“It has been a long road for this community,” Councilmember Howard Hart said during the Jan. 16 meeting when the council gave its final stamp of approval on the skatepark. “This is going to be such a terrific amenity for our community.”

As part of the agreement, the city of Dana Point will pay $25,000 in maintenance costs annually “in recognition of the anticipated use by Dana Point residents,” according to a staff report. The agreement also includes the purchase and installation of security cameras, said San Juan Capistrano assistant city manager Matisse Reischl.

“This park is in the spirit of what we are supposed to do as councilmembers representing our city: to provide recreational opportunities for not only our kids but for adults as well,” said Mayor Sergio Fabias. “But for kids … this park is definitely a distraction and possibly an opportunity for kids to become Olympians or athletes.”

Plans to build a skate park at Orange’s Grijalva Park, the first city-owned park for Orange, are also moving forward. The city allotted $1.77 million to build the 11,500-square-foot skatepark is expected to be designed over the next few months.

Both parks in Orange and San Juan Capistrano are being built and designed by Grindline Skateparks, a well-known skate park construction company that has built hundreds of parks nationally, including Ponderosa Skatepark in Anaheim.

And in just a few years, Orange County could also play host to one of the biggest competitions the county has seen yet. In 2028, the Olympics will arrive in Los Angeles, and with the recent addition of skateboarding and surfing to the Summer Games, Orange County is a top contender to host the competitions.

Huntington Beach is being looked at as a potential spot for surfing and skateboarding events, as the city has hosted tournaments in both sports in years previous. City officials announced the official bid for the competitions in 2021.

Vans Off the Wall Skatepark in north Huntington Beach is one park being considered for the skateboarding event; it has hosted various BMX tournaments. The 40,000-square-foot skatepark offers various bowls, pipes, park areas and even a skate shop.

“To say I am excited for what the future holds for this sport is honestly an understatement,” said Casey. “Seeing people fall in love or fall back into love with the sport is the best. The future is bright.”

Because of a decline in enrollment and the consolidation of Spring View students with other middle schools in OVSD at the start of the next school year, OVSD has more property than is necessary, according to Superintendent Michael Conroy. The district, too, has to redraw the middle school boundary lines to reflect the consolidation.

As for the excess property, OVSD is establishing what’s called a “7-11 committee,” an advisory group required to be convened that will determine whether to sell or lease the excess property. There is no deadline for the committee to make its recommendations, Conroy said.

It’s up to the OVSD School Board, said Conroy, to make the final determination of whether properties are sold or leased. OVSD Trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin said that the district has “a tremendous amount of unused properties that the district currently owns, and by selling or leasing the property, we could garner a lot of extra revenue.”

For example, she said, the district owns the land off of Warner Avenue and B Street in Huntington Beach, the site of Lowe’s. The district generates over $2 million annually from various properties like that ground lease, according to Claton-Tarvin, and she wants to see it lease more unused property.

OVSD will close Spring View Middle School at the end of the year, and after, only Vista View, Mesa View and Marine View middle schools will remain in the district.

The district is holding informational meetings for families of elementary students impacted by the closure of Spring View, with one planned for Wednesday, Jan. 31 and another on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

During these meetings, families can expect a forum with OVSD officials to communicate details about the consolidation and boundary changes and address any questions or concerns.

The meetings will be held at Spring View, 16662 Trudy Ln. in Huntington Beach, and more information can be found on the district’s website.

“The feedback from these meetings has been positive,” said Conroy. “Community members are giving their thoughts, views and opinions all in a very positive manner, and I have been relaying that to the board.”

Village View parent Richard Marrison said that since the decision to close the school was made in November, it has been “a whirlwind.”

“Things are being handled far better than I expected by the district,” said Marrison, “but it is still difficult to see things change so rapidly. Change is hard.”

OVSD trustees are expected to approve new boundaries for the district’s remaining middle schools during the board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

To assess how the boundary lines are going to be redrawn, the district has been following a set of “operational criteria.” Some of the criteria highlight keeping neighborhoods and tracts together, balancing the enrollment between the available middle schools, ensuring easy routes for families’ transportation preferences and minimizing the number of intra-district transfer submissions.

These criteria along with potential boundary options have been shared with families at the informational meetings.

Consolidating schools and properties “has been a process,” said Conroy. “There has been a decline in enrollment, and this will help the middle schools with its low numbers and average the enrollment out a bit better.”

After months of discussion about the future of four OVSD schools, the board voted in November to close Spring View and consolidate its students to other schools in the district.

OVSD — which serves parts of Huntington Beach, Westminster, Fountain Valley and Midway City — is home to more than 6,800 students across 15 schools. Since the 1980s, the district has grappled with decreasing enrollment and has shuttered or repurposed 11 school sites.

“Declining enrollment has continued in recent years and is impacting the district’s instructional program, facility needs and budget,” the board’s November agenda said.

In 2010, OVSD’s enrollment stood at 9,554 students, and district officials late last year predicted it will decrease by an additional 5,563 students by 2030, representing a drop of about 4,000 students. The district has had a decline of about 2,600 students since 2013.

But the district has “no plan or thought to have any future school closures at this time,” Conroy said.

Applications to be a part of the 7-11 committee are due by Feb. 23 and can be found on the district’s website.

The committee will be composed of no less than seven and no more than 11 members and must be representative of groups within the community. To be considered for voluntary membership, applicants must live within the OVSD district but cannot live or own property within 500 feet of any OVSD properties.

The “After-School Satan Club,” run by the Satanic Temple, has its first meeting at Truman Benedict scheduled for Feb. 12.

Despite what the name suggests, the club’s goal is to provide students with a “fun, intellectually stimulating and non-proselytizing alternative to current religious after-school clubs being offered in our public schools,” according to its brochure.

The meetings are designed to promote “intellectual and emotional development in accordance with the Satanic Temple,” the brochure says, and no religious instruction will take place.

The Satanic Temple is a non-theistic organization founded in 2013 that embraces Satan as a symbol rather than as a deity. Its use of satanic imagery doesn’t involve the worship of a literal Satan or hell; instead, it serves as a tool to express its philosophical and political beliefs, according to its website.

The club, which has popped up at other schools in California in past years, has caused a stir among concerned parents and local religious institutions. Several parents expressed those concerns during a recent school board meeting.

But Capistrano Unified School District can’t deny the club from meeting at the school, a district spokesperson said.

Under the requirements of the California Civic Center Act, the district permits the use of school grounds and facilities outside school hours by nonprofit organizations, including all religious organizations.

Truman Benedict already allows a Christian-affiliated club run by Shoreline Church, called the “Good News,” to host gatherings on campus.

“The use of our facilities is in alignment with state law, and there are very few exceptions to prohibiting a nonprofit organization from using our facilities outside of school hours,” said Ryan Burris, a Capistrano Unified spokesperson.

“Religious organizations have utilized school facilities outside regular school hours to host religious services, operate clubs and provide activities for many years in Capistrano Unified,” said Burris.

The After-School Satan Club, it says in the brochure, focuses on “free inquiry and rationalism, bolstering scientific understandings of the natural world and nurturing your child’s already awesome ability to be curious about the wonders around them.” It uses games, art projects, guest speakers and experiments to “help children learn core concepts that will benefit their lives no matter what their deeply held religious beliefs are,” according to the brochure.

The club is offered to all students from ages five to 12 at Truman Benedict, but any student in the area who may be interested is invited to attend. Parents are also welcome to attend the gatherings, the club says.

The point, according to the Satanic Temple’s website, is to “provide a safe and inclusive alternative to the religious clubs that use threats of eternal damnation to convert school children to their belief system.”

Representatives from the Satanic Temple and club did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The club got the attention of John Randall, a pastor at Calvary South Coast. “I understand parents are upset about this; they should be. The devil is alive and well,” he said in an Instagram post.

“(The club) targets schools that have Christian clubs,” said Randall, noting that should the district deny the club, it could sue for alleged discrimination.

That’s what happened last year with a Pennsylvania school district.

There, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the Saucon Valley School District alleging First Amendment violations when it blocked the club from operating. The district ultimately settled and had to pay $200,000 in attorneys’ fees and provide the club “the same access to school facilities as other organizations,” said a news release from the ACLU.

The Satanic Temple is an IRS-recognized religious organization that has more than 500 followers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and San Diego counties and over 700,000 worldwide.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Sheryl Adams

Current Job Title: Technical executive at Hyundai AutoEver America

Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Torrey Pines Planning Board member

City where you reside: Del Mar

Campaign website or social media: www.sherylforcongress.com

How much assistance should the U.S. provide — military and/or financial — to foreign countries at war, like Israel or Ukraine? What, if any, should be the litmus test for American allies to receive assistance from the U.S.?

America should support allies when they’re faced with invasions that threaten their very existence. The world witnessed terrorists brutally murder, rape and torture innocent Israeli civilians, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas still holds innocent civilians hostage while firing rockets into densely populated civilian targets. In Ukraine, Vladimir Putin illegally invaded a sovereign nation in an attempt to regain Ukraine as its own. The US should support our allies to the extent that we can responsibly afford to do so. That being said, support should be accompanied by strict oversight and an expectation that our other European allies do so, as well. Problems of this magnitude require global support, not only from the US. Nor should we lose sight of the problems here at home. We must make sure we secure our own border, crack down on crime and drugs infiltrating our society, and work towards lowering inflation which is hurting all Californians today, especially families, veterans and the elderly.

Border security continues to be a concern for many Americans. What is one proposal, that you believe could get bipartisan support, to address the border?

We absolutely must secure our border … now. For decades, liberal politicians like Rep. Mike Levin have sat by and done nothing as the situation at our southern border has intensified to unbelievable levels. The border is wide open. Fentanyl is pouring across, directly into our communities. Countless victims are being trafficked across every day.

Liberal leftists like Levin give speeches and make empty promises but never deliver upon them. I, on the other hand, have a proven record of delivering results and tackling difficult challenges. In Congress, I would vote to secure the border on day one. We must make sure that we fully fund federal law enforcement so they have all the resources they need to stop the drugs and criminals enabled by current policies.

As AI technology continues to rapidly expand, what do you see as the federal government’s role in creating and enforcing a regulatory framework?

Artificial intelligence is a technology I work with every day in my job. While AI offers humankind benefits in medicine and engineering, for example, it can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

An area of great importance will be the use and implementation of AI in our military and national security. The U.S. must not be caught flat-footed in the implementation and use of AI in warfare and the protection of all Americans, including for our borders and, frankly, the universe. This will be a topic of great consternation to all as our future unfolds. Having a tech leader like me as your representative is yet one more key component to your vote in 2024.

The role — and size — of the U.S. Supreme Court has come under scrutiny in recent years. Do you believe more justices should be added to the nation’s highest court, or would you support any kind of reform, like term limits?

Court packing is an extreme and dangerous idea that is opposed by a majority of voters across parties. I will strongly oppose any effort by an extreme minority to alter the Supreme Court for purely political reasons. In Congress, I will focus on the issues that matter to Southern Californians, such as the out-of-control cost of living, rising crime, the wide open southern border and an education system that has left our children behind.

What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?

As a highly accomplished leader in the automotive/transportation industry, I fully understand the complexities and nuances of building out an EV charging network. In Congress, I would work to limit stifling regulations to enable and improve opportunities for American innovation. By allowing companies to innovate and create new technology, we can develop affordable products such as EVs that can lower emissions.

However, I will also fight against radical climate policies like EV mandates and the Green New Deal which would harm our economy and hurt small business owners across our region. We have seen firsthand in Sacramento what happens when extreme politicians give in to radical special interests. I will ensure our policies intended to protect our environment won’t impact families and small business owners negatively, especially financially.

The George Santos saga made for numerous memes and “SNL” skits. But what is one thing Congress should take away from the former congressman’s expulsion from the House?

The integrity and character of the leaders we send to Washington matter. I am proud to have spent decades engaging as an advocate for my community. I regularly volunteer with Interfaith Shelter for Homeless, various veteran initiatives such as Wounded Warrier 5K, the Torrey Pines Conservancy, the Torrey Pines Planning Board and San Diego Humane Society and CalFire’s “First 50” equine rescue group.

I also serve as a eucharistic minister at St. Peter’s in Del Mar. I am a mother to my nephew, whose adoption journey profoundly shaped me. In Congress, I will be a proud advocate for my neighbors in the 49th congressional district, just as I have been for years as a private citizen.

2023 was a year for labor in California. What is one policy you’d champion to support workers, if elected?

Workers in Southern California are struggling because of far-left policies being pushed by liberal Washington, D.C., and Sacramento Democrats. Workers and our families are increasingly unable to afford to live in Orange County and San Diego as rents and property affordability continue to skyrocket. We go to the grocery store and see essentials steadily increase month after month. Prices at the pump remain much higher than the national average. Many of us go home and have to worry about rising crime and an influx of dangerous drugs in our neighborhoods. Those of us with families have seen children fall behind in the classroom as a result of education policies that prioritize politics over academic preparation. I will always fight for workers; I am one. I will support lowering taxes so that we can keep more of our hard-earned money. I will fight to lower inflation and reverse the price rises that have impacted so many everyday essentials. I fully support law enforcement and support securing the southern border so that our communities are free of dangerous drugs like fentanyl. Finally, I will tirelessly fight to improve our education system and put parents first so that our children can have a prosperous future.

If you are an incumbent, tell us the most significant accomplishment of your most recent term. If you’re a newcomer, tell us how you, as a freshman, would stand out.

I am uniquely qualified to deliver results for the residents of the 49th congressional district. I am a highly successful trailblazer in the automotive industry. My entire career I have been a competent and powerful leader who has worked collaboratively to deliver real results that make a positive impact in our country. I led the national implementation of OnStar, a technology that is now widely used to make drivers and vehicles on our roads safer and more efficient. I am a member and panelist of the U.S. Congressional Smart Cities Caucus, a group that works with tech and community leaders to improve the services local governments provide to their residents. I will use my background as a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur to work with my colleagues in Congress and deliver real results for my district and the region. I have always been a hard worker who does not just talk about problems but follows through and solves them. I will take this expertise to Washington and deliver for the residents of CA-49. You can count on me.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

Competent, real-life pragmatism that delivers measurable results for Southern California.

What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?

Diet Coke from the fountain, Envy apples and York Peppermint Patties.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Matt Gunderson

Current Job Title: Small business owner

Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Ladera Ranch

Campaign website or social media: www.gowithgunderson.com

How much assistance should the U.S. provide — military and/or financial — to foreign countries at war, like Israel or Ukraine? What, if any, should be the litmus test for American allies to receive assistance from the U.S.?

The U.S. should stand with our allies when they are threatened by dictators and terrorists. Yet we must always demand accountability for every dollar spent; there should be no blank checks.

The U.S. must stand with Israel against the terrorists who attacked innocent Israelis. We must work with our allies to help the Jewish people and stop the rise of antisemitic behavior around the world.

And we must never lose sight of the fact that America’s leaders must put American interests above all else.

Border security continues to be a concern for many Americans. What is one proposal, that you believe could get bipartisan support, to address the border?

The United States’ border security is non-negotiable. The crisis at our southern border isn’t about politics; it’s a dire safety and humanitarian concern that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

President Joe Biden and Rep. Mike Levin have allowed an open border, creating a massive fentanyl crisis. It’s unacceptable, and I plan to work to secure the border on day one in Congress.

With more lives lost each day due to the fentanyl crisis, the border should be the top priority in Congress. It’s time for action, not just words. We must confront this crisis collectively to protect our nation’s safety from human traffickers, terrorists and drug smugglers.

As AI technology continues to rapidly expand, what do you see as the federal government’s role in creating and enforcing a regulatory framework?

AI brings both great opportunities and risks. As this new technology unfolds, it is important to set safeguards in place while not restricting the positive potential of this emerging technology.

The role — and size — of the U.S. Supreme Court has come under scrutiny in recent years. Do you believe more justices should be added to the nation’s highest court, or would you support any kind of reform, like term limits?

The radical left has waged a PR war with the intention of discrediting and pressuring the Supreme Court. I will not support their efforts to pack the court with liberal activist judges.

What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?

Many areas along our coast are experiencing erosion, causing the loss of our Southern California beaches. We need to increase sand replenishment projects to help reverse the loss of our eroding coastline. We must also take action to stabilize our bluffs, many of which are at risk of eroding into the sea.

The George Santos saga made for numerous memes and “SNL” skits. But what is one thing Congress should take away from the former congressman’s expulsion from the House?

Serving in Congress should be treated as an honor. Unfortunately, some treat it as a personal achievement or a means to gain power. We should expect America’s best and brightest to serve in Congress with dignity and respect.

2023 was a year for labor in California. What is one policy you’d champion to support workers, if elected?

I will always put American workers first. That means supporting policies that will encourage economic growth, more job opportunities and an economy that works for the middle class again. In California, we have seen what over-regulation and red tape have caused: an economy of the very rich and very poor. We must protect the middle class and support policies that grow and protect middle-class jobs.

If you are an incumbent, tell us the most significant accomplishment of your most recent term. If you’re a newcomer, tell us how you, as a freshman, would stand out.

As a business owner and married father of four daughters, I bring a common-sense approach to the complex problems facing our country.

Washington, D.C., is broken and isn’t working to address the problems faced by ordinary Americans. As a newcomer in Congress, I will work to reduce inflation, improve our economy, lower taxes and secure our border so that our communities can again be free of the crime and drug epidemic sweeping our nation.

Elected officials must prioritize serving our districts and country. My guiding principle, encapsulated by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words, “Your purpose in life is not to be happy, it is to be useful,” steers my actions each day. In Congress, I’m dedicated to reminding everyone that my purpose is to serve the people I represent every time I speak on the House floor or address the press.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

Fiscal conservative with a commonsense approach to personal responsibility.

What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?

Diet Mountain Dew (but if there is time I am always up for a beer).