The 2026 Costa Mesa State of the City luncheon was held on October 27 and brought community members together for an important conversation about our city’s past decade and the opportunities ahead.

Stu News Publisher Tom Johnson moderated a panel featuring Mayor John Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez, Council Members Arlis Reynolds and Andrea Marr, Police Chief Joyce LaPointe, Interim Fire Chief Jason Pyle, Director of Public Works Raja Sethuraman and Neighborhood Improvement Manager Nate Robbins.

Together, the panel reflected on the City Council’s accomplishments over the past 10 years and shared insights on the future of Costa Mesa.

Check out the event in its entirety here.

Mayor John Stephens joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony for BODYROK Costa Mesa.

He toured the new facility at 270 E. 17th Street and learned about its innovative approach to fitness and wellness.

The 2,704-square-foot boutique fitness studio offers 45-minute workouts that are high-intensity but low-impact. These sessions blend Pilates-inspired moves, strength training, and cardio on custom-designed reformers.

Mayor Stephens congratulated the BODYROK team on their grand opening and welcomed them to Costa Mesa’s growing business community.

The new studio adds another exciting health and wellness option to the city's vibrant 17th Street corridor.

The Public Works Department has released an updated report on ongoing Major Capital Improvement Projects. 

The full report can be viewed online by visiting the City’s website here and clicking on the “Capital Improvement Program” link under the “Resources” heading.

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is an integral component in advancing the City’s vision in maintaining, improving, and expanding its critical infrastructure, ranging from building facilities to street and transportation improvements.

Through the City Council’s direction, the CIP projects form the basis in promoting safety, creating improvements, and enhancing the overall quality of life of Costa Mesa’s constituents and stakeholders.

The Department of Public Works encourages residents to check out our latest Major Capital Improvement Projects book for October 2026. Inside, readers will find an overview of current and recently finished capital improvement projects and accomplishments spanning 2024-present.

Some notable highlights include the completion of the Fire Station No. 4 Training Tower, The Ketchum-Libolt Park Expansion, and the Lions Park Café, among many others.

Within the book are also photos, overviews, and highlights of current in-progress projects, including (but not limited to) the Adams Avenue Utility Underground Project, the Costa Mesa Skate Park Expansion, Fire Station No. 2 Reconstruction, Shalimar Park Improvements and Expansion, and many more. We have also included a comprehensive list of current projects.

The Public Works Department continues its commitment in developing long sustaining facilities and infrastructure that benefits the Costa Mesa community and beyond.

CMPD South Coast Plaza Investigators attended the 2026 Organized Retail Crime Conference, held Oct. 26–28 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside.

The conference brought together law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and retail loss prevention professionals from across the Southwest.

The group discussed emerging organized retail crime trends, investigative techniques, new technology, and collaborative strategies to combat retail theft.

The event provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, share intelligence, and enhance our efforts to combat organized retail crime at South Coast Plaza and throughout the southwest region.

Following the Shine the Light event for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Chief Joyce LaPointe participated in a podcast to further awareness.

She was a guest on Courage Over Comfort, a podcast hosted by Human Options. To watch the podcast episode on YouTube, click here.

"For Episode 6 of Courage Over Comfort, Chief Joyce LaPointe of Costa Mesa PD and Survivor Advisory Council Member Nora Caldwell join Human Options for a candid conversation about trust, survivor-centered response, prevention, and what courageous leadership requires next."

- Human Options via Instagram

Human Options is a non-profit organization that connects anyone who is threatened by domestic abuse to countywide services to help them. This organization is a resource for shelter, intervention programs, counseling and referrals that officer’s hand out when responding to domestic violence calls.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue recently welcomed members of the Santa Ana College Fire Technology Club to Fire Station 1 for a station tour and an engaging discussion about careers in the fire service.

Following a brief tour, students participated in a 60-minute question-and-answer session covering daily life at the fire station, career pathways, résumé development, interview preparation, work-life balance, and advice for those preparing to enter the profession.

It was a great opportunity to share firsthand experiences, answer questions, and offer practical guidance to students pursuing careers in the fire service.

Thank you to the Santa Ana College Fire Technology students for visiting and for your interest in serving your communities. We wish you success as you continue your journey toward a career in the fire service.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue was happy to welcome residents from Vivante Memory Care for a special tour of Fire Station 1.

During their visit, residents had the opportunity to meet and interact with our firefighters, explore the station’s living quarters, and get an up-close look at one of our fire engines.

Beyond being a fun outing, the visit provided an opportunity to build familiarity and comfort with our firefighters, equipment, and emergency response operations. These positive interactions can help make a future emergency encounter feel a little more familiar and reassuring.

Thank you to the residents and staff of Vivante for spending time with us. We enjoyed having you.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue (CMFR) recently planned, coordinated, and conducted a large-scale Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) exercise over four days at the CMFR Regional Training Center.

The exercise was a key component of the qualification process for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Regional Task Force (RTF) certification process.

The four-day exercise challenged participating personnel with complex rescue scenarios involving heavy equipment operations, concrete breaching and breaking techniques, victim extrication, and technical rope rescue evolutions. These exercises provided an opportunity for personnel to demonstrate their technical capabilities, strengthen operational coordination, and prepare for the demands of real-world emergencies.

CMFR is a participating agency in the newly established Cal OES Regional Task Force 10 (RTF-10), alongside Anaheim Fire & Rescue, Orange Fire Department, and Huntington Beach Fire Department.

RTF-10 is comprised of highly trained Fire & Rescue personnel specializing in complex USAR disciplines, including structural collapse, trench rescue, confined space rescue, and technical rope rescue. As a statewide Cal OES resource, RTF-10 can be deployed throughout California to assist communities during complex emergencies requiring specialized search and rescue capabilities.

Through continued training, interagency collaboration, and a commitment to operational excellence, CMFR remains dedicated to strengthening regional emergency response capabilities and serving communities throughout California.

The Costa Mesa Network for Homeless Solutions continues to help those less fortunate as it has now housed 547 people as of October of 2026.

In October alone, the outreach team housed a total of 21 individuals, mainly due to clients moving into the new Avon River housing development.

We anticipate more clients moving in for November so we anticipate our numbers to grow.

The team took 158 calls for service in October and has assisted 1,493 callers year to date.

To reach our Network For Homeless Solutions staff please visit our website here.

The LEAP kiddos had a spooktacular time celebrating Halloween.

From exploring a not-so-spooky maze created by our amazing staff to trick-or-treating, enjoying Halloween story time, and decorating their very own pumpkins, it was a day full of creativity, imagination, and festive fun!

LEAP (Learn, Explore, and Play Program) is designed for children ages 3–5, offering little learners opportunities to discover, create, play, and grow!

Keep the kids active and entertained during NMUSD’s winter break with fun activities, exciting excursions, and opportunities to make new friends.

Open to youth in kindergarten through 6th grade, Winter Camp runs December 21–24, 2026 and December 28–31, 2026, from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM at the Balearic Community Center.

Weekly Fee: $180 per child, with an additional $5 fee for non-Costa Mesa residents.

Registration Opens:

Costa Mesa residents: open now

Open enrollment: November 10, 2026

Register online at www.cmclassesonline.com or in person at City Hall – 3rd Floor and Downtown Recreation Center. For program information, please visit bit.ly/CampCostaMesa or call (714) 754-5161.   

Please note: Pre-K and TK students are not eligible. Camp will be closed December 25 and January 1. 

Give your child the opportunity to learn, grow, and play with the City of Costa Mesa’s FREE BeFIT Basketball Program.

Open to students in grades 1st through 8th, this clinic-based program focuses on basketball fundamentals, skill development, and structured play in a fun, welcoming, and non-competitive environment.

Season: January 12 – March 13, 2027

Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays  

Location: Downtown Recreation Center

Clinic Times:

C-Division (Grades 1–3): 5:30–6:30 PM

B-Division (Grades 4–5): 6:30–7:30 PM

A-Division (Grades 6–8): 6:30–7:30 PM

All skill levels are welcome! Participants should bring athletic shoes (no black soles) and a water bottle. Basketballs are available to borrow.

Registration Opens:

Costa Mesa residents: open now

Open enrollment: November 10, 2026

Register at www.cmclassesonline.com. For more information, call (714) 754-5084 or visit bit.ly/BeFITBasketball.

Get ready to cheer, dance, and show your spirit with the FREE BeFIT Pep Squad Program! Designed for students in grades 1st through 8th, this exciting program introduces participants to the fundamentals of cheer, dance, and team routines while encouraging creativity, confidence, and teamwork.

Season: January 11 – March 13, 2027

Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 PM

Location: Balearic Community Center

The season will wrap up with a special performance at an official BeFIT Basketball game on March 13!

Registration Opens:

Costa Mesa residents: open now

Open enrollment: November 10, 2026

Register at www.cmclassesonline.com. For more information, call (714) 754-5084 or visit bit.ly/BeFITPepSquad.

 Grab your friends and take on the Costa Mesa Police Department in a fun-filled and action-packed dodgeball tournament. Enjoy free food and hot chocolate, fun activities, treats, and more!

Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026

Time: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Where: Downtown Recreation Center (1860 Anaheim Ave)

Open to incoming 7th through 12th graders only.

Space is limited so sign up now. Registration is available online here (Activity #22648) or in person at both Teen Center locations: the Downtown Recreation Center Teen Center and TeWinkle Middle School Teen Center. 

See you there!