Fire and Rescue teams responded to two working fires this week.  The first took place in an unincorporated area of Costa Mesa on Willo Lane where units from Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Orange County Fire.

Several animals were able to escape or be rescued while the damage to the house left four people without shelter.  Red Cross was offered and will assist with lodging if needed.

The second fire occurred in Talbert Park South and burned a large amount of vegetation. The cause of the fires is under investigation. Orange County Fire Authority, Huntington Beach Fire Department and Anaheim Police Department assisted with gaining control of the brush fire.

Access to the fire was hampered by mud due the recent rains and thick brush slowed down the suppression efforts.  HBFD and OCFA provided helicopters with water dropping capabilities to gain control until ground resources could make access.

With residents reporting a recent increase in the number of coyote sightings in Costa Mesa, we want to again share some tips on what to do to if a resident has a coyote encounter and how to make your home or backyard less inviting to these predators.

The public should keep in mind that historically, coyote attacks upon humans are extremely rare. In a study presented at the 2004 North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, there were only 56 reported coyote-versus-human attacks resulting in injuries in Southern California in the previous 25 years.

This figure is extremely small when compared to an average 4.5 million people who are bitten by dogs nationally each year. While not normally a danger to humans, coyotes will display defensive behaviors if threatened or cornered. Therefore, it is important to leave a comfortable distance between you and a coyote.

Small pets can easily become coyote prey. Cats and small dogs should not be allowed outside alone, even in a fenced yard. It is highly recommended that small pets always be accompanied by their owner. Though coyotes generally hunt between sunset and sunrise, they can be observed at all hours of the day and will not pass up the opportunity for an easy meal. A dog or cat left in a backyard can be taken in a matter of moments.

Many steps can be taken to protect you and your property from nuisance animals like coyotes and other wildlife:

• Fence off animal enclosures (fully enclose if possible).
• Keep cats and small dogs indoors or in the close presence of an adult.
• Feed pets indoors.
• Store trash in covered heavy-duty containers.
• Keep yards free from potential shelter such as thick brush and weeds.
• Enclose the bottoms of porches and decks.
• Eliminate potential food and water sources, such as fallen fruit and standing water.
• Eradication and/or relocation of the urban coyote is not effective. These programs actually provide a vacuum in nature, causing these animals to have even larger litters, ultimately increasing the coyote population.
• Practicing these measures will help minimize the nuisances and losses caused by urban coyotes.
• If you locate an injured or potentially dangerous coyote in Costa Mesa, call CMPD Dispatch at 714-754-5252, or for general inquiries leave a message with Costa Mesa Animal Control Services at 714-754-5311.

For even more information, we encourage residents to watch the following Public Service Announcement regarding coyotes and ways to discourage them.

With the arrival of the Asian tiger mosquito or Aedes species in the county, the Orange County Vector Control District has issued an alert and is urging residents to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites. Aside from being itchy and annoying, the bite of an infected female tiger mosquito can spread dengue, chikungunya, or Zika virus.

The district advises residents to use mosquito repellent and mosquito-proof homes by dumping standing water both inside and outside, discarding water-holding containers not being used, and making sure all window and door screens are in good repair.

Click here for more information, including an interactive map to locate infested areas. Also, literature about this health advisory is available at City Hall.

Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger, Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Righeimer and Council Member Gary Monahan are partnering with churches and local groups to help revive local neighborhoods throughout the city at the upcoming Neighbors Helping Neighbors event on Saturday April 23, 2016.

Volunteers have identified a number of properties in need of repair and and have begun the prep work for painting. But organizers are looking for at least one more property to help revive.

Also, more funding and additional volunteers are needed. If you know of a property in need of TLC or would like to help out out just email cm.cool@costamesaca.gov or call 714-754-5156.

Students at Mariners Christian School in Costa Mesa joined millions of their peers across the country to celebrate the 16th annual National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day on Wednesday, March 2, 2016.

NEA’s Read Across America Day, which celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday and the joys of reading, typically attracts more than 45 million readers, both young and old, to pick up a book and read.

To celebrate the fun and value of reading, MCS teachers in grades TK-5th organized a lineup of guest readers throughout the day to inspire students.

Teachers, administrators, office workers, specialists, and even the school nurse brought in their favorite books to share with children.

Elementary students participated in a Power Reading Hour with Character Dress.

Dressed as their favorite fiction or non-fiction character, they will spend dedicated time reading in a relaxed environment with pillows, blankets, or their favorite reading friend.

Several classes joined Discovery for Education and FableVision for an online livestream read aloud of the book Going Places from award-winning authors and illustrators Peter H. and Paul A. Reynolds.

This year in concert with Read Across America Day, MCS launched several school-wide initiatives to expand its literacy programs, including the formal adoption of a new Balanced Literacy program based on The Units of Study in Reading.

This program is designed by internationally recognized literacy expert Lucy Calkins and her colleagues at The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP).

Additionally, MCS held a massive used book drive and also solicited monetary donations earlier this year to establish robust classroom libraries in each grade.

For more information NEA’s Read Across America, visit www.nea.org/readacross 

Costa Mesa PD Special Investigations Unit (SIU) made 32 arrests for prostitution over the last two weeks, according to Police Chief Rob Sharpnack.

The majority of these arrests have come from the Vagabond Inn and the La Quinta, Sharpnack said.

These arrests involved both in-person solicitations and meet ups secured through online advertisements, he said.

Additional investigation has shown the prostitutes have left for other cities and the word from multiple interviews is that the Costa Mesa Vice Unit is cracking down and Costa Mesa is not a safe haven for prostitutes.

Costa Mesa High School leaders each month produce the Mesa Minute, a newsletter chock full of news, announcements and events related to Costa Mesa High School.

To read the Mesa Minute click here.

City planners are unveiling the draft General Plan and draft General Plan EIR today, which required an enormous amount of work effort that required technical acumen at the highest level from a wide range of disciplines, as well as exceptional writing and time management skills.

Producing quality documents was made possible by a dynamic team comprised of city planners, planning consultants, attorneys, engineers, and GIS/graphic specialists (and more).  While planning staff anticipates many comments on these drafts as this work effort continues, it expresses  appreciation for all the professional excellence and dedication to this project up to this critical milestone.

Click here to see an infographic that details how the city has gotten to this point.

The Orange County Transportation Authority has been engaged in an outreach effort for the 2016 Draft Bus Service Plan (Plan) that can have an effect on Costa Mesa ridership.

In an effort to respond to feedback, OCTA staff has formulated a Revised Plan, which included eliminated some routes, eliminating Saturday service only and implementing new routes.

The plan was presented and approved by the Transit Committee on Feb. 11, 2016 and presented to the full OCTA Board of Directors and approved on Feb. 22, 2016 at OCTA Headquarters in Orange.

The changes will take place over the course of 2016.

Click here for details on the revised plan. Residents who have specific questions about the Revised Plan, or need clarification can contact Andrea West in Government Relations. She can be reached at (714) 560-5611 or awest@octa.net.

Last year provided many milestones and successes for the city. City department heads compiled a list of the major goals achieved throughout 2015. The CEO department staff created an infographic chart to highlight those achievements. Click here to see the chart.

Longtime Costa Mesa resident Gordon Bowley was presented the Mayor’s Award on Tuesday March 1 as a way to honor and thank him for his years of service to the community, especially in the areas of youth and high school sports.

Bowley has been actively involved in a number of different community groups and organizations, including the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the Hoag Hospital Foundation, St. Andrews Church and the YMCA to name a few.

But it has been his work with Costa Mesa United and the Costa Mesa Youth Sports Council where his impact has been felt the most, Mayor Steve Mensinger said as he presented Bowley with the award, which included a key to the city.

Bowley served as both the president of Costa Mesa United and as Chairman of the Youth Sports Council, and he has been an instrumental figure in the growth and success of the Mesa Verde Classic Golf Tournament, which is the largest fund raising event for youth sports in Costa Mesa. This year’s event raised more than $90,000.

“For your years of service to this community, and your outstanding leadership, it is my honor and privilege to present you with the Mayor’s Award,” Mensinger said.

On Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, the Costa Mesa Police Department partnered with the Orange County Probation Department in a collaborative effort to arrest 10 people in the city who were in violation of probation.

The offenders will face charges that range from drug use and possession, identity theft, conspiracy, providing false information to officers and possession of drug paraphernalia. These are new charges in addition to violation of their probation.

Officers conducted the compliance checks on offenders who are subject to Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS), per Assembly Bill 109 (State Prison Realignment).

These checks were designed to locate and audit the activity of local criminal offenders residing within Costa Mesa who are under the supervision of the Orange County Probation Department.

Three of those arrested were found in a residence in the 100 block of Costa Mesa Street, while five others were found in the 2900 block of Babb Street.

The other arrests occurred in the 300 block of Princeton Drive and the 2000 block of Meyer Place.

Eight of the offenders were from Costa Mesa and the other two from Huntington Beach.