On Tuesday November 27th, the Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP) was informed that the county’s request for an injunction to halt our operations was preliminarily granted. We are extremely disappointed with the court’s decision and wholeheartedly disagree with it. We are working closely with our legal team to determine the most effective course of action moving forward.
Author Archives: Theresa Sears
Theresa Sears is Involvement Editor for Voice of OC and works with active residents throughout Orange County helping to lift their voices by facilitating the publication of daily Op-eds from a broad array of perspectives.
Theresa also handles office administration and works to help organize Voice of OC civic training programs and policy events.
With an intimate knowledge of Orange County civic issues, Theresa has worked as an active grassroots community leader on a host of public land use and regional public-benefit issues across the region for the past three decades.
As a solutions oriented activist, she has taken a leadership role in grass roots efforts supporting the public’s right to know and petition their government, community engagement, legal remedies and direct democracy.
Her efforts have preserved Orange County’s fairgrounds, Barham Ranch which is now part of Santiago Oak Regional Park, as well critical open space in East Orange. She’s also led efforts to protect Orange County’s regional park system as a leader with the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks
Languages spoken: English and some Spanish
Areas of expertise: Community organizing, direct democracy, open government – public oversight, land use, civic engagement and protecting public assets.
Posted inPress Releases
Court sides with Costa Mesa, issues preliminary injunction to stop needle exchange program
The Superior Court for the County of San Diego has issued a preliminary injunction against the Orange County Needle Exchange Program and the California Department of Public Health to effectively stop those agencies from operating a mobile needle exchange program in Costa Mesa and other cities in the county.
Posted inPress Releases
The Gift of Hope Inspires 16thAnnual KidWorks Christmas Store
Believing that hope is a gift that never goes out of style, KidWorks, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit that provides academic, spiritual and leadership programs for underserved children and teens, has set a goal of collecting more than 1,500 Christmas presents for parents to give to their young family members.
Posted inPress Releases
10 Year Commemoration Event of the 2008 Freeway Complex Fire
While many communities throughout the state are courageously fighting wildfires saving both habitat lands and homes, locally we are reminded that the horrors of the Freeway Complex Fire ravaged our region just 10 years ago. The Freeway Complex Fire damaged or destroyed 280+ homes and burned 30,000+ acres across four counties.
Posted inPress Releases
Around the World in 60 Minutes With Retiring Congressman Ed Royce
The WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF ORANGE COUNTY (WACOC)has organized a special dinner and conversation with retiring Congressman Ed Royce to take place on Monday, December 3rd, 2018, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast. Congressman Royce will take us “Around the World in 60 Minutes.”
Posted inPress Releases
Saddleback College President Announced, Dr. Elliot Stern
After a nationwide search, the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) has selected Dr. Elliot Stern to serve as the new president of Saddleback College. Pending ratification of his contract by the Board of Trustees, Dr. Stern is expected to start mid-January 2019.
Posted inPress Releases
Orange County Auditor-Controller Eric Woolery Issues Statement on Passing of Longtime Auditor-Controller Vic Heim
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former Orange County Auditor-Controller VictorA. “Vic” Heim on November 2, 2018 at the age of 97. Mr. Heim was the seventh and longest serving Auditor-Controller in County history, taking office in 1957, and winning seven elections for the position until retiring in 1984 after serving the County for 37 years.
Posted inPress Releases
DA-Elect Spitzer Announces Transition Leadership Team
D.A.-elect Todd Spitzer announced the leadership team that will assist him during his transition to Orange County District Attorney, tapping several advisors who will help select advisory committee members and other leadership as he prepares for his first term in office.
Posted inPress Releases
OCTA Honors Those Who Served for Veterans Day
The Orange County Transportation Authority recognized the service of employees who are military veterans during OCTA’s ninth annual Veterans Day Appreciation event.
Posted inPress Releases
USO United States Volunteer of the Quarter Awarded to Janice Spriggs of Bob Hope USO Orange County
Bob Hope USO is thrilled that Jan Spriggs was named the US Volunteer of the Quarter. It was very well deserved. Here are some reasons why.
