Trump administration to slash funding for enforcement of fair housing laws

• March 1, 2025

By JESSE BEDAYN, Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s administration has begun terminating grants to organizations that enforce the Fair Housing Act by taking complaints, investigating and litigating housing discrimination cases for Americans across the country, according to a document and information obtained by The Associated Press on Friday.

The grants are disbursed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to private nonprofits, which act as the frontline enforcement of the federal anti-discrimination law. They educate communities on their rights, test whether a landlord is racially discriminating, investigate complaints, resolve disputes and can fund legal counsel.

Of some 34,000 fair housing complaints lodged in the U.S. in 2023, these private nonprofits processed 75%, according to a report from the National Fair Housing Alliance. The rest were fielded by state and local governments, with HUD and the U.S. Department of Justice working on less than 6% combined.

It’s the highest number of complaints since the first report in the 1990s, and over half were lodged for discrimination based on a disability.

Of the 162 active grants going to the private nonprofits to do that work, nearly half are slated for cancellation, said Nikitra Bailey, executive vice president at the National Fair Housing Alliance. Bailey added that some organizations rely entirely on the grants and may have to shutter, others will have to lay off staff.

“It’s doing it at a time when Americans want to see an end to the barrage of rising housing costs and a lack of housing supply,” said Bailey. “They need increased support and intervention from our federal government, not a withdrawal from basic civil rights.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for HUD said: “The Department is responsible for ensuring our grantees and contractors are in compliance with the President’s Executive Orders. If we determine they are not in compliance, then we are required to take action. The Department will continue to serve the American people, including those are facing housing discrimination or eviction.”

In a termination letter, a copy of which was obtained by the AP, HUD said that the cancellations were at the direction of Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, called DOGE, run partly by billionaire Elon Musk.

The grants intended for fair housing enforcement are largely worth $425,000, an amount which is typically issued annually to organizations.

The letters caused widespread confusion across the country late Thursday night, as fair housing organizations started communicating through listservs, assessing the potential impacts and trying to find answers.

One of the organizations slated to lose funding, Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit, fields about 200 to 300 fair housing complaints a year and works broadly to resolve housing related problems, such as disputes with landlords, with a coverage area of some 4 million people.

“It’s a significant threat to the viability of our organization at a minimum,” said Steve Tomkowiak, the group’s executive director. “It can threaten the survival of any of the fair housing enforcement organizations.”

For Kimberly Merchant, CEO of Mississippi Center for Justice, the kneecapping of fair housing groups, or their disappearance altogether, would be “open season to discriminate indiscriminately without having to worry about being checked.”

Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

​ Orange County Register 

Encino home linked to ‘Casablanca’ director Michael Curtiz seeks $5.7 million

• March 1, 2025

A colonial-style mansion, reportedly once part of a larger estate owned by Academy Award-winning “Casablanca” director Michael Curtiz, is on the market for $5.7 million.

Completed in 1939 and attributed to architect Roland E. Coate, the 7,472-square-foot residence includes a main house, an attached guest house and a studio apartment for a total of 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.

An unfinished basement offers extra space.

Six fireplaces, original hardwood floors and brass hardware maintain the charm of the era.

The two-story main house with six bedrooms opens on a grand foyer with a staircase.

A marble fireplace anchors the formal living room, and the formal dining room’s French doors open to a garden patio.

There’s a wood-paneled library with built-in bookshelves, a family room that doubles as a screening room with an attached projectionist cubby and a gourmet kitchen. It features a breakfast nook, high-end appliances and a large island.

Other highlights include a dedicated wine closet, a butler’s pantry and a flower cutting room designed for arranging and storing fresh flowers.

Upstairs, the primary suite has an attached screened-in porch. It’s just off the bedroom with a marble fireplace. Amenities also include a private sauna, a steam shower and two separate dressing areas.

There are three bedrooms in the guesthouse, which has its own entrances and a fenced-in yard.

An attached studio apartment provides additional living space that can serve as a home office.

Spanning over 1 acre, the property features a backyard swimming pool and ample parking, including a three-car and two-car garage that were formerly a horse stable and tack room in Curtiz’s day.

Curtiz and his wife, Bess, bought the Encino ranch in 1946, according to the book “Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film” by Alan K. Rode, but the Southern California News Group could not independently confirm it.

According to the co-listing agent Karen Sandvig of Coldwell Banker Realty, “Originally, the property was approximately 120 acres” and had a different address than the subdivided property today.

She added that the sellers “did a chain of title requests when researching the history of the property.”

One document provided by Sandvig is the grant deed signed by Curtiz’s estranged wife, Bess Meredyth, an actress and screenwriter. The couple sold the house after they separated in 1960, according to Rode’s book.

Sandvig shares the listing with Wendi Lampassi and Taylor Penrod of Coldwell Banker Realty.

Curtiz was a Hungarian director who arrived in Hollywood in 1926 at the invitation of Jack Warner, and he became a legend. His most memorable films include “Casablanca” (1942), “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (1942) and “Mildred Pierce” (1945). He died in April 1962 at 75.

​ Orange County Register 

What they said: Trump, Zelenskyy and Vance’s heated argument in the Oval Office

• February 28, 2025

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Friday berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the war in Ukraine, accusing him of not showing gratitude after he challenged Vance on the question of diplomacy with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

The argument in the Oval Office was broadcast globally. It led to the rest of Zelenskyy’s White House visit being canceled and called into question how much the U.S. will still support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Here is a transcript of the key moments of the exchange, which began when Zelenskyy challenged Vance.

Zelenskyy challenges Vance on Russia and diplomacy

Vance: “For four years, the United States of America, we had a president who stood up at press conferences and talked tough about Vladimir Putin, and then Putin invaded Ukraine and destroyed a significant chunk of the country. The path to peace and the path to prosperity is, maybe, engaging in diplomacy. We tried the pathway of Joe Biden, of thumping our chest and pretending that the president of the United States’ words mattered more than the president of the United States’ actions. What makes America a good country is America engaging in diplomacy. That’s what President Trump is doing.”

Zelenskyy: “Can I ask you?”

Vance: “Sure. Yeah.”

Zelenskyy: “OK. So he (Putin) occupied it, our parts, big parts of Ukraine, parts of east and Crimea. So he occupied it in 2014. So during a lot of years — I’m not speaking about just Biden, but those times was (Barack) Obama, then President Obama, then President Trump, then President Biden, now President Trump. And God bless, now, President Trump will stop him. But during 2014, nobody stopped him. He just occupied and took. He killed people. You know what the –“

Trump: “2015?”

Zelenskyy: “2014.”

Trump: “Oh, 2014? I was not here.”

Vance: “That’s exactly right.”

Zelenskyy: “Yes, but during 2014 ’til 2022, the situation is the same, that people have been dying on the contact line. Nobody stopped him. You know that we had conversations with him, a lot of conversations, my bilateral conversation. And we signed with him, me, like, you, president, in 2019, I signed with him the deal. I signed with him, (French President Emmanuel) Macron and (former German Chancellor Angela) Merkel. We signed ceasefire. Ceasefire. All of them told me that he will never go … But after that, he broke the ceasefire, he killed our people, and he didn’t exchange prisoners. We signed the exchange of prisoners. But he didn’t do it. What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about? What do you mean?”

Vance: “I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country. Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media. Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”

Zelenskyy: “Have you ever been to Ukraine that you say what problems we have?”

Vance: “I have been to –”

Zelenskyy: “Come once.”

Vance: “I’ve actually watched and seen the stories, and I know that what happens is you bring people, you bring them on a propaganda tour, Mr. President. Do you disagree that you’ve had problems, bringing people into your military?”

Zelenskyy: “We have problems –”

Vance: “And do you think that is respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”

Zelenskyy: “A lot of questions. Let’s start from the beginning.”

Vance: “Sure.”

Trump erupts when Zelenskyy suggests the U.S. might ‘feel it in the future’

Zelenskyy: “First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have nice ocean and don’t feel now. But you will feel it in the future. God bless –”

Trump: “You don’t know that. You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”

Zelenskyy: “I’m not telling you. I am answering on these questions.”

Trump: “Because you’re in no position to dictate that.”

Vance: “That’s exactly what you’re doing.”

Trump: “You are in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good.”

Zelenskyy: “You will feel influenced.”

Trump: “We are going to feel very good and very strong.”

Zelenskyy: “I am telling you. You will feel influenced.”

Trump: “You’re, right now, not in a very good position. You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position –”

Zelenskyy: “From the very beginning of the war —”

Trump: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards.”

Zelenskyy: “I’m not playing cards. I’m very serious, Mr. President. I’m very serious.”

Trump: “You’re playing cards. You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III.”

Zelenskyy: “What are you speaking about?”

Trump: “You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have.”

Vance: “Have you said thank you once?”

Zelenskyy: “A lot of times. Even today.”

Vance: “No, in this entire meeting. You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October.”

Zelenskyy: “No.”

Vance: “Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who’s trying to save your country.”

Zelenskyy: “Please. You think that if you will speak very loudly about the war, you can –”

Trump: “He’s not speaking loudly. He’s not speaking loudly. Your country is in big trouble.”

Zelenskyy: “Can I answer —”

Trump: “No, no. You’ve done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble.”

Zelenskyy: “I know. I know.”

Trump: “You’re not winning. You’re not winning this. You have a damn good chance of coming out OK because of us.”

Zelenskyy: “Mr. President, we are staying in our country, staying strong. From the very beginning of the war, we’ve been alone. And we are thankful. I said thanks.”

Trump demands Zelenskyy accept a ceasefire

Trump: “If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks.”

Zelenskyy: “In three days. I heard it from Putin. In three days.”

Trump: “Maybe less. It’s going to be a very hard thing to do business like this, I tell you.

Vance: “Just say thank you.”

Zelenskyy: “I said a lot of times, thank you, to American people.”

Vance: “Accept that there are disagreements, and let’s go litigate those disagreements rather than trying to fight it out in the American media when you’re wrong. We know that you’re wrong.”

Trump: “But you see, I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on. I think it’s very important. That’s why I kept this going so long. You have to be thankful.”

Zelenskyy: “I’m thankful.”

Trump: “You don’t have the cards. You’re buried there. People are dying. You’re running low on soldiers. It would be a damn good thing, and then you tell us, ‘I don’t want a ceasefire. I don’t want a ceasefire, I want to go, and I want this.’ Look, if you can get a ceasefire right now, I tell you, you take it so the bullets stop flying and your men stop getting killed.”

Zelenskyy: “Of course we want to stop the war. But I said to you, with guarantees.”

Trump: “Are you saying you don’t want a ceasefire? I want a ceasefire. Because you’ll get a ceasefire faster than an agreement.”

Zelenskyy: “Ask our people about a ceasefire, what they think.”

Trump: “That wasn’t with me. That was with a guy named Biden, who is not a smart person.”

Zelenskyy: “This is your president. It was your president.”

Trump: “Excuse me. That was with Obama, who gave you sheets, and I gave you Javelins. I gave you the Javelins to take out all those tanks. Obama gave you sheets. In fact, the statement is Obama gave sheets, and Trump gave Javelins. You’ve got to be more thankful because let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards, but without us, you don’t have any cards.”

Trump says Putin respects him due to the investigations of his first term

Vance, restating a reporter’s question: “She is asking what if Russia breaks the ceasefire.”

Trump: “What, if anything? What if the bomb drops on your head right now? OK, what if they broke it? I don’t know, they broke it with Biden because Biden, they didn’t respect him. They didn’t respect Obama. They respect me. Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me. He went through a phony witch hunt … All I can say is this. He might have broken deals with Obama and Bush, and he might have broken them with Biden. He did, maybe. Maybe he did. I don’t know what happened, but he didn’t break them with me. He wants to make a deal. I don’t know if you can make a deal.”

“The problem is I’ve empowered you (turning toward Zelenskyy) to be a tough guy, and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States. And your people are very brave. But you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out. And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty, but you’ll fight it out. But you don’t have the cards. But once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position, but you’re not acting at all thankful. And that’s not a nice thing. I’ll be honest. That’s not a nice thing.

“All right, I think we’ve seen enough. What do you think? This is going to be great television. I will say that.”

​ Orange County Register 

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate criticizes women justices as ‘driven by their emotions’

• February 28, 2025

By SCOTT BAUER

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court accused the court’s liberal majority, all women, of being “driven by their emotions” during oral arguments in an abortion rights case — comments his challenger’s campaign on Friday called “disgusting.”

Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County judge and former Republican attorney general, faces Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge backed by Democrats, in the high-stakes April 1 election.

Abortion has been a key issue in the race. Schimel opposes abortion rights and Crawford supports them. Both candidates have said they would be impartial if the issue comes before the court.

The winner will determine whether the highest court in the battleground state remains controlled by liberal justices as it’s expected to rule in cases affecting abortion, unions rights, congressional redistricting and election laws. The election could also serve as an early litmus test for Republicans and Democrats after President Donald Trump won every swing state, including Wisconsin.

Schimel spoke out against the four liberal justices during a Nov. 12 radio interview, the day after oral arguments in case challenging the state’s 1849 abortion ban. Crawford, who has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood, brought a different case seeking to protect abortion rights when she was a private practice attorney working for a liberal firm.

Schimel’s comments were first reported Friday by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

“There were times that when that camera went on several of the liberal justices, they were on the brink of losing it,” Schimel said on WSAU-AM. “You could see it in their eyes, and you could hear it in the tone of their voice. They are being driven by their emotions. A Supreme Court justice had better be able to set their personal opinions and their emotions aside and rule on the law objectively. This is — we don’t have that objectivity on this court.”

The four justices, in a statement Friday, accused Schimel of having “an antiquated and distorted view of women.”

“By suggesting that women get too emotional and are unfit to serve as judges and justices, he turns back decades of progress for women,” their statement said. “These petty and personal attacks have no place in our campaigns and courtrooms, and are just one more reason that we have endorsed Susan Crawford for Justice.”

The four justices are Jill Karofsky, Ann Walsh Bradley, Rebecca Dallet and Janet Protasiewicz. Bradley’s retirement created the open seat that Crawford and Schimel are battling over. The winner is elected to a 10-year term.

Schimel’s campaign issued statements from the two conservative justices who are women saying there was nothing wrong with Schimel’s comments and that their liberal colleagues were wrong to criticize him.

“The liberal majority lodges baseless accusations against Judge Schimel to deflect attention from inappropriate behavior on the bench by Justices Dallet and Karofsky,” conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley said. “Judge Schimel’s legitimate criticisms have nothing to do with gender — obviously he wasn’t talking about me, or Chief Justice Annette Ziegler — and everything to do with the liberal majority’s political activism.”

Ziegler said claims of sexism against Schimel were “baseless.”

Jacob Fischer, a spokesperson for the Schimel campaign, called the criticism a “pathetic attempt to gaslight voters.”

“There is no mention of gender in Judge Schimel’s criticism of the current majority that views the Supreme Court as a policy deciding body — instead of a fair and objective court,” Fischer said.

Schimel did not back down from his comments when asked about them Thursday following a public event in Milwaukee.

“It’s plainly clear that that one of the justices, at least, was not able to stay objective. She had lost control of her emotions,” Schimel told the Journal Sentinel. “Men do that, too, but she could not stay objective. In that case, she was literally yelling at an attorney.”

Schimel said he was referring to Karofsky. She did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Crawford’s campaign spokesperson, Derrick Honeyman, said Schimel’s comments were “disgusting insults” and “part of a pattern of disturbing behavior and extremism that has no place in our state, and certainly not on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”

​ Orange County Register 

Santa Ana girls basketball shows resiliency in run to CIF-SS championship game

• February 28, 2025

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The arrest of a lower-level coach on suspicion of sexual assault. A flood of emotions. A midseason coaching change. And an uncertain playoff future.

Santa Ana’s girls basketball team has navigated through those obstacles, and perhaps a few more, to reach Saturday’s CIF-SS Division 5AA championship game against Hillcrest of Riverside.

“I just couldn’t be more proud,” Santa Ana interim coach Dana Nguyen said of the Saints (16-12), who play Hillcrest (21-6) at 10 a.m. at Edison High. “It just speaks to the leadership of the seniors we have.”

Santa Ana is seeking its first section title in girls basketball.

The Saints have won all four of their playoff games and five of eight games overall under Nguyen, a teacher and former boys basketball assistant coach at Santa Ana. She took the coaching reins Jan. 15, the Santa Ana Unified School District confirmed.

Saints varsity head coach Calvin Barnes said he was placed on “administrative leave” at that time, days after Santa Ana girls junior varsity basketball coach Edward Baxter, 23, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault for allegedly having a dating relationship with a 16-year-old girl at the school.

Barnes said he was the reporting party to the police, and Santa Ana police department public information officer Natalie Garcia confirmed that this week.

“I was a mandated reporter,” Barnes said, referring to the law that requires people in certain professions to report suspected instances of abuse.

Barnes, in his third season, said he remains on leave as the case is investigated.

Fermin Leal, the chief communications and community relations officer for the district, stated Thursday that the district’s investigation “continues.” He declined to comment on “anyone who is on administrative leave.”

Nguyen, who teaches U.S. history and college preparation classes, said Santa Ana’s players experienced frustration, anger and resentment following the arrest.

“It was upsetting to everybody,” she said. “At the very beginning, I think there was a lot of uncertainty. The girls were pretty emotional.”

The players, Nguyen said, have used basketball as an outlet for their feelings and followed the leadership of seniors such as guard Kalleigh Solis and forward Cynthia Silva.

Santa Ana also starts senior forward Mireya Arroyo, senior point guard Yarexy Diaz and junior center Ashley Mendoza.

“When we step onto the basketball court, (our focus is) basketball,” said Nguyen, who played at Valencia High.

Santa Ana’s playoff future looked a bit unclear after the regular season.

The Saints finished fourth in the Golden West League and without an automatic playoff berth. The team, however, was eligible for an at-large bid to CIF because of its overall record of 12-12.

Santa Ana received the second and final at-berth spot in Division 5AA. The Saints beat St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 45-32 in the semifinals behind 25 points by Solis.

“She’s been incredible,” Nguyen said of the 5-foot-1 Solis. “We’re just peaking at the right time.”

Santa Ana’s revised coaching staff includes her husband Mike Nguyen, Fernando Ceja, Christina Jones, John Gonzalez and Andrea Spielfogel. All of the coaches are full-time teachers at Santa Ana, the district stated.

Last season, Santa Ana surprisingly played national powerhouse Mater Dei. The Saints lost 90-5 as Barnes aimed to expose his players to Division 1-level basketball and prepare for their own CIF run.

​ Orange County Register 

Winter weather advisory for Yosemite from Saturday to Monday – up to 10 inches of snow

• February 28, 2025

Yosemite is the focus of a winter weather advisory issued at 11:02 a.m. on Friday by the National Weather Service. The advisory is valid from Saturday 10 p.m. until Monday, Mar. 3 at 10 p.m.

The NWS Hanford CA adds to be ready for, “Total snow accumulations between 4 and 10 inches above 4500 feet. Totals up to 14 inches at the higher elevations. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.”

“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches,” the NWS said. “Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.”

The full list of affected locations includes:

• Yosemite
• Upper San Joaquin River
• Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge
• Kings Canyon NP
• Grant Grove area
• Sequoia NP
• South End of the Upper Sierra

Drive safely in winter: Expert advice from the NWS for challenging conditions

Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and over 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it’s safest to assume that icy conditions exist on roadways and adjust your driving accordingly. Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must venture out, opt for routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line, and immediately dial 911 if you come across one. Here are additional winter driving tips from the NWS:

Share your travel plans:

When traveling out of town in hazardous winter weather, inform your family or friends of your destination, planned route, and estimated time of arrival.

Prepare your vehicle:

Ensure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies such as a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.

Stay calm when stranded:

If you become stranded, stay composed. Notify someone about your situation and location. Avoid attempting to walk to safety. Attach a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror to signal that you require assistance. Make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and flashers.

Be aware of snow plows:

Keep an eye out for snow plows and allow them ample room to pass. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before embarking on your journey, verify the current road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the NWS, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.

​ Orange County Register 

Orange Coast College will downsize childcare center, parents need to find new schools

• February 28, 2025

Parents with children enrolled at Orange Coast College’s Harry and Grace Steele Children’s Center say they are scrambling after the college told them recently the center would see a significant cut in the number of childcare spots it’ll offer beginning this summer.

The downsizing is forcing parents to seek new childcare locations for their young children and they are pleading with the school to not move forward with the change.

The center provides early care and education for children ages 1 to 5 of college students, faculty and staff and other residents, but has run at a significant deficit in recent years, according to college officials.

Parents who have children enrolled at the school said they received an email on Feb. 21 that said the college “has made the difficult decision to reduce its services at the Children’s Center” beginning July 1.

Beginning then, the center will offer only two preschool classes and will no longer have classes for infants, toddlers or Pre-K ages. The cut will reduce the number of children from 105 currently to 48 spots.

“Our parents are obviously spiraling right now and freaking out trying to figure out if they need to quit their jobs? Where are they going to be putting their children?” said Megan Richards, a student at Orange Coast College with two children at the education center.

Richards, 29, has a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old enrolled at the center. Richards is graduating OCC this semester and said the center’s closure would likely prevent her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree because she would need to stay at home to care for her children.

“Parents are very open to resolution and how we can fix this,” Richards said. “They’re not giving us anything.”

Juan Gutierrez, a spokesperson for the community college, said the center has been operating at a deficit for a few years, which has now reached a projected $630,000 shortfall for the current fiscal year.

“When you’re running on the red, you have to do something,” Gutierrez said. “It’s an unattainable kind of position.”

The college’s board of trustees will still need to vote on a final decision for the center. Gutierrez said the school has used its general funds and pandemic relief money to offset that deficit. He said other colleges have had to give up or cut their childcare programs, and this is the decision the college has to make, too.

Gutierrez said even a 20% increase in tuition would only cover about a third of the center’s deficit. And even after the reduction in classes, Gutierrez said the center would still have a deficit.

He said seven employees at the center are working with the college’s HR department to move to a different job, but there’s no guarantee that they will be able to transfer.

After the cuts, the center will have a maximum enrollment of 48 students. Currently, there are 105 registered students at the school, 19 of which are children of OCC students, 17 children of faculty or staff and the rest are from the community.

Gutierrez said the school’s director is going to offer to schedule appointments with affected parents to help them find childcare elsewhere. OCC students are getting priority to keep their children enrolled in the remaining classes.

The college, he said, wants to continue to have the center since it serves the school’s core mission of education by allowing parents to take classes while their children are looked after.

“If we’re not financially responsible now, who knows what could happen in the future,” Gutierrez said. “It might be … a little more dire, so we’re taking these steps now to be able to offer these resources to our students.”

Courtney Prouty said she and others were shocked by the downsizing. She said the school should have made parents aware of the financial situation sooner, so they could work together on solutions other than downsizing.

“Every single person and parent I have talked to that currently has students at the center are absolutely willing to pay an increase,” Prouty said. “If (parents) are not, there is a waitlist of over 80 kids for some of these classes.”

Prouty said childcare is a necessity for her and her husband, who both work full-time making childcare a necessity.

Parents said it will be difficult for them to find other schools to put their children in since many are already enrolling for future sessions and there’s still uncertainty about who will get into the remaining classes at Orange Coast.

Several spoke highly of the care and education at the Harry and Grace Steele Children’s Center, saying the staff treated each child as if they were their own.

Claire Smith said her son enrolled at the center lacked some gross motor skills and would fall down often. The teachers at the school created new activities for him to test his body and gain these skills, Smith said, helping him to now become “the master of the monkey bars.”

“It’s just like mind-blowing because they see the opportunities that the children need and then they focus on them,” Smith said. “And they’re doing this for every kid, not just one single child.”

​ Orange County Register 

Update: Beach hazards statement for San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coast until Friday night

• February 28, 2025

San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coast were placed under an updated beach hazards statement by the National Weather Service on Friday at 1:45 p.m. The statement is in effect until 10 p.m.

“Elevated surf of 4 to 7 feet with local sets to 8 feet, and dangerous rip currents. Highest surf will be in southern San Diego County,” can be anticipated according to the NWS San Diego CA. “Surf will lower slightly Saturday but then increase again Sunday, with hazardous swimming conditions likely Sunday and Monday.”

“Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion,” according to the NWS. “Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.”

​ Orange County Register