When Mariners Christian School student’s came back from Christmas break, they were welcomed by a New Year’s surprise: a brand new, state-of-the-art 57,000-square-foot AstroTurf athletic field.

To help celebrate this new addition, on Wednesday, Jan. 25 over 150 students, parents and teachers gathered for a special after school event to dedicate the new athletic facilities. The ceremony included remarks by the Head of School, Troy Moore, a prayer dedication by an 8th grader, Levi Darrow, a ribbon cutting ceremony and finally, fun field games that included the participation of students, teachers, and parents.

In April 2016, MCS launched a fundraising campaign to replace the natural grass field, which was 30 years old and significantly impacted by the extended drought conditions, with professional-grade AstroTurf.  The total project cost was $440,000.

By October 2016, the fundraising goal was reached, and construction commenced in November.  The new field, now featuring AstroTurf with a 2-star FIFA rating, includes permanent zoning stripes for flag football, soccer (small and full sided), and PE/recess lines.

On Tuesday Jan. 18, City Manager Tom Hatch gave a presentation to the Mesa Verde Community Inc. to update the group on several city initiatives.

Hatch brought them up to speed on the Fire Station No. 1 replacement efforts and noted that the groundbreaking for the new station will take place on March 11, 2017 with completion scheduled for the following spring of 2018.

He also told the group what was going on with the Lions Park improvements which includes a new library and community center. Hatch also gave updates on the new City Council, the Mesa Verde medians, city staffing, the homeless and the news that the Chargers are moving the team headquarters here.

This 4-year old Dachshund mix gets along well with other dogs and is looking for her forever home. If you’re interested in giving Chiquita a good home, then contact the OC Humane Society today.

Chico may be small, but his personality is larger than life. This 7-year old Chihuahua is loyal, quiet and ready to go home with you today.

Caltrans has announced it is extending the full closure of the 405 Freeway/Red Hill Avenue Overcrossing from Main Street to Pullman Avenue until mid-January of 2017 because of rain saturation to the hillside. This closure is part of a $9 million Embankment Stabilization project in the cities of Irvine and Costa Mesa.

Changeable Message Signs will be used to alert motorists to the closure extension. Motorist may experience delays and are advised to avoid the area, use alternate routes, and check traffic conditions before traveling.

The project benefits are to reinforce the underlying soil embankment as well as construct new retaining walls along the local arterial surface street system. Completion of the project is expected in mid 2018. For more information Caltrans Red Hill project click here.

The pool at the Downtown Recreation Center has been undergoing some much needed updating.

The installation of a new pool pump VFD (Variable Frequency Drive), new chemical controller and new backwash controller was recently completed and all are performing up to expectations.

The rusted rebar areas in the plaster on the pool floor have been repaired by scuba divers from Underwater Unlimited and a new pool heater is scheduled to be installed soon.

All work is expected to be completed in January 2017.

A local resident reported some hazardous conditions relating to drug use at Davis Field at Lions Park and noted that it was potentially unsafe for children who use the field for soccer practice.To better protect the kids who use the field, the city has installed screens along the existing walls to deter drug use or paraphernalia from being left on the field.

In addition, city parks maintenance workers will conduct a manual foot sweep of the field each day to ensure it is safe for youth sports activities.

Costa Mesa Police officers recently attempted 19 residential home checks of Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), Formal Probation and Gang Terms Probation offenders. Over the course of the evening, the team made multiple contacts, which included 21 offenders, 15 of whom were classified as being on formal supervised probation or were PRCS/Probation offenders living in Costa Mesa.

An additional six offenders on Supervised Gang Terms Probation were also contacted. The compliance checks resulted in 14 offenders being arrested for violations of conditions of their probation and/or new criminal law violations. Teams also assisted patrol on a felony battery investigation and searched a hoarder/unsafe nuisance house at 769 W. Wilson Street where they contacted 17 persons inside.

Code Enforcement will have to follow up due to numerous violations and safety issues at the home.

Raised or elevated sections of sidewalk between a half an inch and two inches in height is one of the leading causes of trip and fall accidents. In response to this, the Maintenance Services Division is expanding its sidewalk preventative maintenance program to improve the City’s walkability and decrease the City’s liability.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, the Penhall Co. began sidewalk grinding in the College Park tract, while City maintenance crews focus on City-owned parks and facilities.

Using this hybrid approach of in-house staff and outside contractors working simultaneously at separate locations throughout the City, it is expected that over 2,500 sections of elevated sidewalk will be ground smooth this year.

Currently work is being finished in the College Park neighborhood, at which point crews will move to the east side of Costa Mesa and work on the streets between Mesa Dr. to the north, Santa Isabel to the south, Irvine Blvd to the east and Newport Blvd to the west.

Meet 1-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix, Elli. She is a smart, energetic  and playful girl who understands all of her basic commands. She is very loving and would do best with a family that would be patient with her while she transitions into her new home.

Click here for more information on how to bring Elli home today.

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, longtime Costa Mesa resident and community volunteer Rick Kapko was presented the Mayor’s Award during the City Council Meeting.

Kapko has volunteered in the Costa Mesa community for many years, dating back to his involvement with his three sons boy scouts and youth sports. Kapko has a long list of community involvement that includes, scout leader for over 12 years, little league manger and board president, AYSO coach, Costa Mesa United Board member and Newport Mesa Schools Oversight Committee just to name a few.

Kapko is well recognized for not only his volunteer work throughout the Costa Mesa community but his leadership and integrity.

“Rick Kapko is a model Costa Mesan,” Mayor Steve Mensinger said. “For over a decade Rick has donated not only his time but himself, building and maintaining strong relationships throughout the community.” The mayor then mentioned his wife, Nancy, who also has been dedicated to the community.

“Both he and Nancy are proverbial volunteers,” Mensinger said. “They hate the limelight. They declined this award several times.”

Kapko expressed his gratitude for the honor.

“Thank you Mr. Mayor and council for this wonderful award,” he said. “It’s been a gift to be able to give back to this community.”

Meet Gordy, a 2-year old Chihuahua mix who loves taking walks and exploring the world around him. He is the perfect size to be carried around and would love to relax in his new owners arms. Gordy is well-mannered, well-tempered and would make a great addition to your family, visit with him today.

Click here for more information on how to bring Gordy home today.