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Nancy Rikel, Editor
Former Mayor and Councilwoman
Established 2010
December 18, 2025
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“There is no time in history where the people who
were censoring speech were the good guys” – RFK Jr.
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Important: If you forward this newsletter, use the below methods
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Brea PD Arrest - Press Release
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Arrested: Christopher Becerra, aged 42, is a Brea Olinda Unified School District School Board Trustee. He is also an employee at Santa Ana College and is on the Board of Trustees of the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program.
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Pictured: Chris Becerra, reportedly with his four children.
Photo released by Brea PD
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PRESS RELEASE : Brea Police Officers responded to a report of inappropriate sexual messages being sent to a juvenile from a Brea Olinda Unified School District Board member. The Brea Police Department Detective Bureau began a thorough investigation and worked closely with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Brea Olinda Unified School District.
On December 18, 2025, Brea Police Detectives arrested Brea Olinda Unified School District School Board Trustee, Christopher Becerra, a 42-year-old resident of Brea, for 311.11(a) P.C., Possession of Child Pornography, 647.6(a)(1) P.C., Annoying or Molesting a Child, and 137(c) P.C., Falsifying Evidence, and Bribing, Influencing, Intimidate or Threatening Witnesses. Mr. Becerra is also an employee at Santa Ana College and on the Board of Trustees of the North Orange County ROP.
During the investigation, Detectives located and identified additional victims. Due to Mr. Becerra’s access to children, Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information, or believes they may have been a victim, are urged to contact the Brea Police Department Detective Bureau at 714-671-4469.
Future updates will be provided through the Brea Police Department’s social media pages.
For all press inquiries, contact Professional Standards Lieutenant Chris Haddad at (714) 990-7744 or chaddad@breapolice.gov
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Multiple Satellite Launches
Thousands of launches will provide high-speed broadband
internet that will save lives and greatly improve communications.
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Connecting the Unconnected
Reliable internet will be available to homes, businesses, and governments
in remote areas where traditional broadband is unavailable or poor.
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Multiple Satellite Launches
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SpaceX is launching thousands of satellites for its Starlink project to create a massive, low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet globally, especially to unserved or underserved rural areas, while also generating revenue to fund SpaceX's other Mars goals. The sheer number of satellites is needed to ensure constant coverage from their low altitude, providing better performance than traditional, fewer, higher-orbit satellites.
Key Reasons for the Massive Constellation:
- Global Internet Access: To deliver fast, reliable internet to homes, businesses, and governments in remote areas where traditional broadband is unavailable or poor.
- Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Advantage: Operating in LEO (around 340 miles up) means signals travel shorter distances, resulting in much lower latency (delay) for gaming, streaming, and video calls compared to geostationary satellites.
- Funding Future Ventures: The profits from Starlink are intended to help fund SpaceX's long-term goals, including Mars colonization.
- Military & Government Contracts: Starlink also serves government and military needs, adding another revenue stream.
Scale of the Project:
- SpaceX aims for tens of thousands of satellites in total.
- They operate over 60% of all active satellites in orbit.
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They use their Falcon 9 rockets to launch large batches at once.
- Continuous Coverage: A large constellation is required so that as one satellite moves out of view, another is always overhead, creating a seamless global network.
Information provided by AI Google
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Earthquake Activity and Warning Apps
Apps provide the chance to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” before a quake hits.
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Earthquake Activity and Warning Apps
Apps provide the chance to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” before a quake hits.
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Beginning on December 8, Japan experienced 25 earthquakes within three days, with significant aftershocks and tremors. Recent Alaska activity included 164 aftershocks that were logged within the first 24 hours. California and Nevada have also experienced significant activity.
California, Nevada Activity Log
https://scedc.caltech.edu/recent/Quakes/quakes0.html
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Earthquake Warning California could give Californians crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Managed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors to detect earthquakes before we can feel them. This gives Californians the chance “Drop, Cover and Hold On”.
To receive earthquake warnings, you can download MyShake App and ensure phone settings are adjusted to receive emergency alerts, including:
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MyShake App: Free smartphone app that provides iPhone and Android users with audio and visual warnings [magnitude 4.5 or higher and Modified Mercalli Intensity III (weak) shaking]. Available at in the Apple App and Google Play stores;
- Android Earthquake Alerts: Android phones with updated operating systems are automatically subscribed to Android Earthquake Alerts, which uses the same technology as the MyShake App; and
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): No-cost text messages for emergency situations [magnitude 5.0 or higher and Modified Mercalli Intensity IV (light) shaking].
Download an App for Advanced Warning
https://earthquake.ca.gov/?https%3A%2F%2Fearthquake_ca_gov%2F&gad_source=5&gad_campaignid=23049266379&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_-2WzPLHkQMViSJECB3nFBxKEAAYASAAEgK-2PD_BwE
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Two massive quakes in 48 hours trigger ‘Megaquake Week’ warnings
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/two-massive-quakes-in-48-hours-trigger-megaquake-week-warnings/ss-AA1SvGcN?ocid=weather-verthp-feeds#image=3
Information contributed by Don LaCommare
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Package Thieves Arrested
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Driving a Tesla, two Yorba Lindans were arrested for suspected burglary.
| | Irvine Police- Thursday, December 11, 2025- Officers were alerted to package theft suspects in the area of Perlita and Gitano. Our drone as a first responder located the suspects’ Tesla near an apartment mailroom and watched two women taking packages and trying to enter another mailroom for more. | | Shensha Fan, 26, and Fang Hou, 52, both of Yorba Linda, were arrested for burglary in Irvine.... | | .... packages are delivered, and so are consequences. | | |
Old Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda’s Roll-Away Cattle Ramp
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A ramp was used to load animals directly into cars with no trucks involved. Animals were driven to the loading site by men on horseback.
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In Santa Ana Canyon the Santa Fe Railway once had a roll-away cattle ramp on the mainline at Esperanza.
This was used to load animals on the hoof directly into livestock cars with no trucks involved. Animals were driven to the loading site by men on horseback. The ramps were mounted on rails and could be rolled into position for loading, then rolled back out of the way of train movements.
| | This ramp was very unusual in that it was located adjacent to the mainline and not a siding or spur track. | | "Neat stuff for the modern railroader." | | |
In HO scale Taurus Products once produced a kit for this ramp. The late Art Burges, the founder of Taurus Products, once lived in Yorba Linda and he personally measured it. The ramp was still standing well into the late 1970s.
Bob Chaparro
Moderator
Railway Bull Shippers Group
https://groups.io/g/RailwayBullShippersGroup
From a post on Facebook, Yorba Linda Memories
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My latest mural. And it actually might be my favorite. I’m quite proud
of my Chevy Chase. You’ve got to see it in person both day and at night.
Fairmont, Just north of Yorba Linda Blvd, NE corner
Artistry by James Festini
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Firefighters Holiday Food Drive
12,000 pounds of food collected
| | Sunday, December 14- Last night the Reserve Firefighters at OCFA Station 10 coordinated the (I believe 29th) Annual Holiday Fire Engine Parade and Food Drive. | | |
Estimated about 12,000 pounds of food was collected for the Salvation Army and local food pantries. The California Fire Museum- Safety Learning Center and the Orange County Fire Services Association were honored to be participating again, along with other businesses, organizations, and individuals participating in this worthwhile cause.
Randy Marsile
From a post on Facebook, Yorba Linda Buzz
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Lighting of the Menorah
Sunday, December 14
Chabad of North Orange County
19045 Yorba Linda Blvd @ Ohio
Photo by Kathy Jill
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Shot Down by the CA Supreme Court
Huntington Beach loses their challenge regarding
state-mandated Affordable Housing.
Opinion
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Shot Down by the CA Supreme Court
Huntington Beach loses their challenge regarding
state-mandated Affordable Housing.
Opinion
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The California Supreme Court has refused to hear arguments brought forth by Huntington Beach regarding their refusal to submit a state-mandated Affordable Housing plan. Huntington Beach has spent almost three years in court, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, fighting to preserve various elements of their city.
The city could now face severe consequences which could include losing control of their zoning department and even being placed into receivership, also known as a municipal takeover. Should that occur, a state-appointed manager or receiver would take control of finances and operations involving restructuring budgets, managing assets, firing officials and overriding previous decisions. In short, the penalties for standing up to the state can be massive.
One last hope for Huntington Beach would be for U.S. Supreme Court to agree to hear their arguments. That is yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, the taxpayer cost per Affordable Housing unit is $1 million. Affordable Housing development impacts virtually every element of a city, such as schools, parks, roads, utilities, and contributes nothing.
Nancy Rikel
Opinion
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Huntington Beach Loses State Housing Mandate Lawsuit
https://voiceofoc.org/2025/12/huntington-beach-loses-state-housing-mandate-lawsuit/
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.99 Cents and a Penny
Keeping one and ending the other
Opinion
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.99 Cents and a Penny
Keeping one and ending the other
Opinion
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Have you ever wondered why gas is priced with an added .9 cents, such as $3.99 9/10? In the 1920’s and 30's, gas ranged from 10 to 20 cents per gallon. Unlike today, a penny was worth a lot. In 1932, the Revenue Act allowed for the first federal gas tax. The tax rate was one penny per gallon, which increased fuel prices by 10% and that tax accounted for nearly 8% of the total federal revenue.
Gas station owners had three choices: absorb the one cent cost, raise prices by one cent, or increase the cost of fuel by one cent. The last option seemed to be a preferred choice that proved to an effective marketing strategy. The .9 is shorthand for nine-tenths of a cent, or $0.009, which added up to millions of federal revenue dollars.
In 2006, one gas station operator cut out the .9 cent and estimated that he lost about $23 a day! Even though there is nothing that mandates this 90 year tradition, it is seen in most stations today.
Unlike the .9 tax, the penny has not survived. After 232 years since the first penny was minted, the last one was printed this year in Philadelphia on November 12. The federal government had been spending .04 cents to mint a .01 coin and this change is expected to save $56 million per year. More then $1 billion pennies remain in circulation, although many are probably stashed in jars at home.
Opinion
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Contributed by Don LaCommare
Gas prices include nine-tenths of a cent due to a 90-year-old law.
https://historyfacts.com/us-history/fact/gas-prices-include-nine-tenths-of-a-cent-due-to-a-90-year-old-law/?lctg=54fa5505-88d9-4ddc-8342-b3223c49ef57
The U.S. just produced its last penny after a more than 200-year run
https://historyfacts.com/us-history/fact/gas-prices-include-nine-tenths-of-a-cent-due-to-a-90-year-old-law/?lctg=54fa5505-88d9-4ddc-8342-b3223c49ef57
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Pay-to-Play Award in Education
A $35,000 taxpayer membership fee brings an award and trophy for PYLUSD. The award was largely achieved under the leadership of Supt. Dr. Alex Cherniss, who the union-backed school board "dismissed".
However, it was gladly accepted by Carrie Buck, Marilyn Anderson and Tricia Quintero during their all-expense paid trip to Sacramento.
Opinion
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"The California School Board Association is a pay to play organization
and advocates many times against parental rights,
conservative parents and board members." Leandra Blades
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Your Taxpayer Dollars at "Work"
Tricia Quintero, left, Carrie Buck, holding the trophy,
Marilyn Anderson, to Buck's immediate right.
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Hypocrisy- The California School Board Association is a pay to play organization and advocates many times against parental rights, conservative parents and board members
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When myself, Todd Frazier and Shawn Youngblood had the majority we removed ourselves from this organization and saved our district the hefty membership fee of approximately $35,000 dollars. That fee is just to join.
$35,000 plus expenses for travel to Sacramento x 3
When the leftist, teachers union backed majority took over (Marilyn Anderson, Tricia Quintero and Carrie Buck), they immediately re-joined this organization. Their week in Sacramento is a separate expense from the approximately 35,000 membership fee. Taxpayers are paying for the cost of the conference for each person attending, cost for food, lodging, ubers, flights and hotels.
Deficit spending, fiscal crisis?
But wait, I thought we were deficit spending? I thought we were in a fiscal crisis? Todd Frazi and I refused to attend and voted against the membership.
Accomplishments by the "dismissed" Dr. Cherniss
To add insult to injury, the above CSBA Golden Bell award was awarded to our district for the opening of new preschools and our inclusive preschool program. This was accomplished by Dr. Alex Cherniss and the conservative board majority. It was Dr. Cherniss, myself, Todd Frazier and Shawn Youngblood who spearheaded and supported this work. We did it because it was good for students and would boost enrollment which would retain jobs for teachers. We didn’t do it for awards or accolades.
How hypocritical that the three board members (Anderson, Quintero and Buck) who lied, harassed and discriminated against Dr. Alex Cherniss and colluded with the union to remove him as Superintendent are all smiles as they accept an award for work Cherniss spearheaded and accomplished. Anderson and Buck were silent about the pre schools and tried to run a negative narrative during this time.
"GOP" Mayor Janice Lim, again
But wait…didn’t Yorba Linda Council Member Janice Lim say Dr. Alex Cherniss was “dangerous” to our community? I guess this is what “dangerous” looked like.
The hypocrisy of Marilyn Anderson, Carrie Buck and Tricia Quintero knows no bounds. They gladly accept an award that should’ve gone to a man they tried to destroy.
Leandra Blades
Placentia Yorba Linda School District Trustee
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Fire Safe Council Kickoff
Protect Our Homes and Hills
Hills for Everyone
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https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=6756f6176a&e=722629f583
Protect Our Homes and Hills and Hills For Everyone partnered to host the kick off meeting for the new Fire Safe Council on Thursday, October 30th.
Meeting Recap
* What is a Fire Safe Council?
https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=6b515de2ae&e=722629f583
* October Kick Off Meeting Flyer
https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=eb6072504b&e=722629f583
* View the Video Recording
https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=003138d1f7&e=722629f583
*View the Meeting PowerPoint
https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=b4f922c284&e=722629f583
*View the Meeting Minutes
https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=285b58bf79&e=722629f583
Future Meetings
We decided to meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM (except January due to the holiday, which will instead be on January 8th).
📆Download a copy of the
2026 Meeting Schedule:
https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=1dd80bbe71&e=722629f583
Planning Documents and Volunteers
In the meantime, our wildfire consultant Doug Nickles is developing the required wildfire planning documents. We are also looking for volunteers to help bounce ideas off of while forming the non-profit.
Email us if you are interested
mailto:Melanie@HillsForEveryone.org?subject=Join the Sub-Committee
Next Meeting
Thursday, January 8th
Zoom link:
bit.ly/YLHFSC-Meetings
Phone: +16699006833,,7146871555#,,,,*415213#
Speaker Series Flyer
The group came up with a list of potential guest speakers to invite for more information.
View the Speaker Series flyer for the first quarter of 2026 beginning, Thursday, January 8th. Everyone is welcome.
https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=dbc76a6074&e=722629f583
Please share this meeting with friends and neighbors.
Sincerely,
Protect Our Homes and Hills
Leadership Team
Register Now
Register Now https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=6a05f7a4cd&e=722629f583
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Connect on Facebook
https://protectyorbalinda.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3f2b3fa0d6809c3efe0e89f55&id=470f089c9f&e=722629f583
Website
https://www.protect-our-homes-and-hills.org/
Our mailing address is:
Protect Our Homes and Hills
c/o Hills For Everyone
P.O. Box 9835
Brea, CA 92822
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$439,000,000-Taxpayers Hamstrung
The district could become insolvent.
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Who voted for this?
Union-backed school board members:
Carrie Buck, Karin Freeman, Judi Carmona, Carol Downey, Eric Padgett.
$439,000,000- A financially irresponsible union-backed school board, including current member Carrie Buck, borrowed $48.5 million with a total repayment of $439.2 million. Now illegal, beginning in 2042, the bonds must be paid back in just 8 years at $35 million per year.
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Read More
School Board Sellout- OC Register original articles
https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:61ef68b0-88d2-3a24-bef3-e163d0f9e648
What Myovich did not tell the public is that a financially irresponsible union-backed school board borrowed $48.5 million with a total repayment of $439.2 million. He did not say that the bonds are now illegal, cannot be re-financed or paid off early, and have a 38 year maturity. Beginning in 2042, the bonds must be paid back in just 8 years with an average of over $35 million per year.
Remember Bob Citron?
Do you remember Bob Citron and the 2009 Orange County bankruptcy, due to poorly invested funds?
Citron gets a year in jail
https://money.cnn.com/1996/11/19/economy/citron/index.htm
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Coyotes!
*Protect Your Pets
*Never Leave Food or Water Outside
(A fed coyote is a dead coyote)
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Email Yorba Linda coyote activity concerns to: Arlene Quintero, Principal Safety & Risk Analyst, is the contact person to report any coyote activity concerns.
aquintero@yorbalindaca.gov (not a link)
Please be advised that the County of Orange Animal Control does not handle coyote issues; however, the City does contract with a professional urban wildlife company on an as needed basis.
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Tattered Retirement of American Flags
Tim Heckerman has rescued, collected and retired well over 2000 tattered American Flags since October 2017 from Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Placentia, Brea, Fullerton and Orange and has arranged for a proper retirement ceremony with the help of friends, family and Anaheim Fire & Rescue.
Contact me for pick-up: Tim at TimHeckerman@gmail.com
"I have had the privilege of meeting some very interesting and awesome
people while picking up these Beauties. I would like to thank everyone that has reached out to me and has trusted me in the final care of their American Flags." Tim
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How to Remove Skunk Smells-Opinion
From a post on Facebook
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The best way we’ve found to remove the smell of skunk is:
1 bottle hydrogen peroxide,
1 tablespoon dish soap
1/4 cup baking soda
Sponge
Put first two in bowl, have the stinky one ready in sink and just before you sponge the mixture on add baking soda. Be VERY careful not to get it in nose or eyes. Massage through hair. Let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. Use your regular soap, rinse, dry. You literally can let them sleep on your bed after with no issues.
From a post on Facebook
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Save a Life at the OC Animal Shelter
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"I am longing for a safe,
secure, forever home. Please take me home and love me."
"If not adopted, I will be euthanized."
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One has only to look at their eyes to see
how frightened and lonely they are.
Gumdrop
Pet ID: A1945178
Sex: M
Age: 2 Years
Weight: 19.50 lbs
Color: Tan
Breed: Cairn Terrier Mix
Jurisdiction: Santa Ana
Intake Date: 12/14/2025
Intake Jurisdiction: Santa Ana
Kennel: 533A
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OC Animal Care
https://petadoption.ocpetinfo.com/Adopt/#/home
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Vacation Check Service
Yorba Linda Police Services deputies will periodically check your home while you are away on vacation. You are allowed up to 30 days per year. It's easy to arrange and your information will remain private. Submit the form: YorbaPS@ocsd.org
Yorba Linda Police Services, 714 779-7098.
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1955 Coca Cola Santa
From a post on Facebook
Not an advertisement
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Yorba Linda e-News is a community newsletter that provides information and provokes thought. It does not endorse activities or products listed therein. Editorials written by residents are those opinions of the reader and not those of Yorba Linda e-News. Opposing viewpoints are welcome. Newsletters are also published on YLTA.net, Facebook, X, Truth Social, Linkedin, Instagram and MeWe.
News, photos and community activities for publication should be sent to: Time4dance@aol.com
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Yorba Linda e-News
4666 Yorba Lane
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-814-0498
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