News

People who cite meaningful connections with others in their community report extraordinarily high levels of satisfaction on “Best Places to Live” indexes. They also tend to live much longer. Therein lies the impetus behind Rancho Mission Viejo and Ladera Ranch’s newest monthly event: Coffee Chat, held at Morena’s Mexican in the Sendero Marketplace. 

“We want Coffee Chat to be an event for everyone,” said Juliet Rosales, Morena’s owner, “with monthly topics that include other events, infrastructure, utilities, governance, land use, the environment, retail and business.” Presenters will be will be experts on the topics, which will be relevant to everyday life, newsworthy and intended to enhance the group’s knowledge base in some way. The upcoming election is sure to attract a few political candidates, eager for an audience with engaged, civic-minded voters!

Upcoming topics include tips on photography, how to start your own small business, senior living options, and how south O.C. reuses water. Follow Community Coffee Chat’s Facebook page for a list of upcoming speakers and topics.

Organizers say the event is more than the information shared, it’s also about building relationships with people who want to make a difference in the community. “Our goal is to build an event where the residents become friends through their shared interests and consistent participation,” said Linda Hakim and Todd Stearns. “We hope they’ll go out of their way to say “hi” when bumping into each other at the farmers market or the grocery store!”

On June 12, Wells Fargo employees were joined by Jackson Cripe, District Representative Congressman Levin's office, Kim Carr, Sr. District Representative, Office of State Senator Blakespear, Anne Figueroa, District Director for assembly member Sanchez’s office, Tyler Mosher, Staff Representative Office of Supervisor Foley and local leaders from the Ladera Ranch Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the grand opening of its new bank branch at 30773 Gateway Place in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA, as it expands and welcomes new and existing customers in the local area.

Located within the Sendero Marketplace, the 1,800 square-foot branch has been designed and built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards and includes an assisted‑service ATM, a floorplan to create more space for conversation and consultation, and informative digital messaging displays. The new Sendero Marketplace branch’s convenient location is a benefit to customers as its nestled among a mix of independent boutiques, restaurants, and other service providers within the center.

During the event, Wells Fargo awarded a $25,000 grant to Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) to help provide stability to OC residents through rental assistance, financial education, and housing counseling services.

Welcome to the community Wells Fargo!

Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez invites you to learn more about “Active Violence” which can include incidents such as flash mob robberies, workplace violence, an active shooter, or any other violent scenario that poses a risk to the safety of those present.

Orange County's 5th District includes some of the most desirable real estate in the planet including Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as our own communities: Ladera Ranch and Rancho Mission Viejo!

5th District Supervisor Katrina Foley presides over these fabulous locations and will be the keynote speaker at this year's event to provide updates on what is happening and key projects.

It is sure to be a lively lunch event and we hope you will join us!

Join a FREE Galactic Celebration - Santa Margarita Water District's 60th Anniversary!

SMWD's legendary Water Festival returns as a free family-friendly event to explore the intrigues of drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater. For over 30 years, the month of May has transformed into California’s Water Awareness Month, guiding the community in the ways of water wisdom and unveiling the secrets of water system infrastructure.

Date: Saturday, May 4th, 2024

Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: SMWD Headquarters, 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita

Young Padawans can enjoy a variety of activities, including face painting, reptile encounters, pipe building races, and more! Take a leisurely stroll through the WaterWorks Garden and engage in conversations with garden Jedi masters amidst stunning California-friendly plants.

Indulge in delectable treats such as Mountain Mike's Pizza (featuring Millennium Falcon Mozzarella and Podracer Pepperoni) and groove to the tunes of a DJ.

Don't miss out on this unforgettable celebration! Mark your calendars for May 4, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

For more information, visit: https://www.smwd.com/222/Water-Festival

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA (April 4, 2024) – Stater Bros. Markets and PepsiCo associates gathered to commemorate PepsiCo’s 9th annual “Rolling Remembrance,” a 14,000+ mile long relay that honors military heroes who lost their lives while serving the United States. This cross-country relay embarks from Seattle, transporting an American flag first flown on a UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. PepsiCo’s extensive network of veteran drivers will pass off the flag to each other at different relay points. The relay will conclude at PepsiCo headquarters in Purchase, N.Y., right before Memorial Day, on May 23.

During the stop at Stater Bros. Markets’ headquarters on Thursday, March 28, Stater Bros. Charities and PepsiCo presented a $50,000 donation to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, an organization that provides college scholarships and educational counseling to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Since 2017, this partnership has donated the equivalent of 56 years of college for Fallen Patriots scholars.

“We are very grateful for our continued partnership with PepsiCo and Children of Fallen Patriots. Supporting the education of the children of the heroes that lost their lives serving our country is just one way we can honor their memory,” stated Nancy Negrette, Chairman and President of Stater Bros. Charities. Funds will assist families of service members from all branches of the armed forces who have died as a result of combat casualties, military training accidents, service-related illnesses, suicide, as well as other duty-related deaths as ruled by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Meet Abbie Wittwer, a Children of Fallen Patriots scholarship recipient. 

Abbie is the daughter of Lieutenant Commander Frank Wittwer, who passed away in 2006. Abbie says her dad “loved being a pilot and serving his country, but he also loved being a dad, and he was great at both.”

Abbie says, “The scholarships I have received from Fallen Patriots let me pursue my degree full-time, without worrying about going into debt. I would not have been the student I was, or the person I am, without the support of Fallen Patriots.” Abbie graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2022, completely debt-free thanks to Children of Fallen Patriots.

There are approximately 25,000 children who have lost a parent in the line of duty over the past 35 years. The vision of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is to ensure that every such child receives all necessary college funding. To donate and learn more, visit Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation.

Good job Stater Bros.!

Irvine, Calif. - March 11, 2024

The Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) continues to strengthen its economic position in the bond market with Fitch Ratings upgrading the Agency’s bonds to A- for Senior Lien and BBB+ for Junior Lien, with a positive outlook. F/ETCA operates the 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads in Orange County, Calif.

Following are the F/ETCA’s current bond ratings:

• Fitch: A- and BBB+ respectively, with outlook positive
• Moody’s: Baa1 with outlook stable
• S&P: A and A- respectively, with outlook stable

In addition, Fitch Ratings has affirmed San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) Senior Lien bonds at BBB+ and Junior Lien bonds at BBB and revised the rating outlook to positive.

“The rating upgrade reflects an improved credit profile driven by the combination of the agency's prudent debt management strategies through bond buybacks alongside traffic and revenue performance that has exceeded Fitch's case expectations,” stated in a recent release by Fitch’s Credit Rating. “Management demonstrated its commitment to paying down debt when opportunities arise at bond call dates as well as opportunistically through open-market bond buybacks, which will support debt service reductions over the long term.”

“Fitch’s decision to upgrade the F/ETCA credit rating underscores the Agencies’ financial strength and well-positioned fiscal policies that provide The Toll Roads with stability and strong operational performance,” said F/ETCA Chair and San Juan Capistrano City Council Member John Taylor. “It is important that the Agencies continue to pursue opportunities that further reduce operating costs and enhance revenues, along with board-approved policies for managing and reducing debt.”

“In line with the Boards of Directors’ Strategic Plan, since 2019, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) have executed bond refundings and strategic early bond paydowns that have reduced debt service by nearly $1.4 billion, thereby further enhancing the Agencies’ strong financial position,” said TCA CFO Howard Mallen.

The F/ETCA and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA), which comprise TCA, are two joint powers authorities created to plan, finance, construct and operate Orange County’s 51-mile toll road network – the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads.

The Toll Roads have been providing a choice for drivers for over 25 years and the tolls collected are used to repay the debt incurred to construct the system and fund ongoing operations and improvements.

The Toll Roads system, which represents 20% of Orange County’s highways, is the largest toll road network in California.

Every year the County of Orange prepares a report on the status of the Community Facilities Districts that were used to finance the infrastructure in Ladera Ranch and Rancho Mission Viejo that are assessed to residents through property taxes. 

See the report below:

Local Accountability Report FYE 2023.pdf

Early paydown of bond debt to save Agency approximately $54 million

Irvine, Calif. - January 25, 2024

As part of the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) Strategic Plan, the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) has executed an early paydown of $60 million in senior lien bond debt.

The early paydown of bond principal – bonds that were issued in 2013 and had a maturity date of 2042 – saves the Agency approximately $54 million in interest payments. The F/ETCA paid off the bonds with cash reserves when the bonds were callable after January 15, 2024.

“This early paydown of bond debt is another example of the commitment both Agencies have to fiscal stewardship, as well as fulfilling the plan of action laid out in our Strategic Plan aimed at overall debt reduction,” said F/ETCA Board Chair and San Juan Capistrano City Council Member John Taylor.

The Agencies plan by 2030 to pay down another $920 million of bonds early, saving an additional $806 million in interest. This future debt reduction, when combined with the current reductions of $1.389 billion, will collectively reduce debt by $3.1 billion.

“Strong fiscal management is core to the Agencies’ past and future success,” shared Ryan Chamberlain, TCA Chief Executive Officer. “Protecting the ability to fund operations and capital improvement projects, while positioning the Agencies to take advantage of debt reduction and early paydown opportunities, aligns with the fiscal management objectives outlined in the Boards’ Strategic Plan.”

The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) and F/ETCA are two joint powers authorities created to plan, finance, construct and operate the 420 lane miles that comprise the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads.

The Toll Roads have been providing a choice for drivers for more than 30 years and the tolls collected are used to repay the debt incurred to construct the system and fund on-going operations and improvements.

The Toll Roads system, which represents 20% of Orange County’s highways, is the largest toll road network in California. 

This is great news for users of the Toll Roads and shows a substantial amount of financial savvy on the part of management.