Community Relations

The Mission Viejo community continues to come together by donating more than three truck-loads of bottled water, non-perishable food, clothing, hygiene products, pet supplies, first aid kits and more at the Mission Viejo Farmers Market on Saturday. This follows donations of several hundred cases and gallons of bottled water made to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center last week to benefit the Pasadena Humane Society and displaced animals in the fires. The City is extremely grateful to the community for its generosity and kindness during this difficult time.

With the devastating fires impacting LA County, here are ways you can help.

Donations will be accepted locally at the Mission Viejo Farmers Market tomorrow (January 11) from 9 am to 1 pm at the North Paseo at LOS OSOS, 25282 Marguerite Parkway.

Items accepted:

Bottled water

Food and non-perishables: Shelf-stable foods, canned goods, pasta, rice, beans, ramen cups, power bars, instant oatmeal, baby formula, baby food and snacks.

During the first City Council meeting of the year on January 14, Mayor Bob Ruesch will highlight his objectives for 2025.

The business portion of the meeting starts at 6 pm in the Council Chamber at 200 Civic Center.

Before Mayor Ruesch outlines his 2025 goals, Council Member Trish Kelley will be recognized for her service to the City as Mayor in 2024.

Sherry Merrifield, an Administrative Services Analyst, has been named Mission Viejo’s 2024 Employee of the Year. 

Surrounded by colleagues and friends, Sherry received the annual award on Tuesday from Mayor Bob Ruesch. 

With nearly 23 years of service to the City of Mission Viejo, Sherry is known for always going above and beyond the call of duty and for being proactive in assisting the City team. 

The City is reminding residents to be prepared in the case of wildfire and to know their evacuation zones. 

Be sure to register for mass notifications via AlertOC.com and find your evacuation zone at this link.

With a severe Santa Ana windstorm continuing throughout Southern California, the City is urging residents to take precautions and sign up for AlertOC, a mass notification system designed to keep the public informed of emergencies.

During these high wind periods and Red Flag warnings, residents should reduce any activities that can produce sparks. Learn more and view OC Fire Watch sites at https://bit.ly/FirewatchSites.

The deadly citrus tree disease Huanglongbing (HLB) has continued to spread in Orange County with a quarantine in place throughout parts of the region – including Mission Viejo – to protect the state’s iconic fruit.

The deadly citrus tree disease Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the biggest threats to California citrus. While HLB is not harmful to humans, there is no cure and once a citrus tree is infected it will die. The HLB quarantine places limits on the transport and movement of citrus plants and material to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

As the City prepares for the upcoming holidays, the public should be aware of facility operating hours.

Mission Viejo City Hall will be closed December 25 through January 1. City Hall at 200 Civic Center reopens at 8 am on January 2. Trash and recycling will be delayed by one day for the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Day, but police, fire and other essential emergency City services will not be impacted by the closure. 

The winners of Mission Viejo Activities Committee's 52nd Annual Holiday Home Lighting Contest have been announced.

More than 50 homes participated in this year's contest that boasts categories like Most Creative Use of Lights; Most Creative Theme; Most Traditional/Festive; Religious; New Kids on the Block; Showstopper; and Light Up Your Neighborhood Award.

State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is inviting the public to provide input at a virtual meeting regarding a State proposal to increase the writing of insurance in parts of California that have been most affected by wildfires and other extreme weather catastrophes. The virtual public meeting is at 10 am on December 5. Registration is available at this link.