This week, we celebrated Police Captain Bryan Wadkins as he walked out for the last time and headed toward the sunrise of retirement.

The event, which started with a walk out in front of City Hall and continued in a packed Council Chambers, was officiated by Deputy Police Chief Jason Chamness and included accolades by Police Chief Joyce LaPointe, Mayor John Stephens, City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly and former Police Chief Ron Lawrence.

Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez, Assistant City Manager Alma Reyes and several department heads and city staff were in attendance.

Wadkins, a 31-year veteran of the department, was hired by Costa Mesa in 1995 and graduated from Golden West College Police Academy. He thanked his family, friends and fellow CMPD officers and staff for supporting him during his career.

As an officer, he worked Patrol Services, Traffic Safety Bureau as motor officer and special events officer, and was assigned to the Detective Bureau as a property crimes detective. In 2006, he promoted to corporal in Patrol Services and was the field training officer for over a dozen officers. In 2008, he promoted to sergeant.

Wadkins’ accomplishments include a Medal of Merit in 2013 for leading officers into a home of an active shooter in a homicide case. He is also a 1997, 1999, and 2001 MADD Century Award recipient for making at least 100 DUIs arrests during those years.

Wadkins was promoted to lieutenant in 2020 to be the Patrol Services Area 1 Commander, he then promoted to captain in 2023. During his three years as captain, Wadkins helped establish the Animal Services Unit including a new bee ordinance.

He also updated and renovated the interior of the police department. Wadkins was also a big part of securing funds for a Real Time Information Center.

Congratulations Capt. Wadkins on your distinguished career and well-deserved retirement.

Celebrate America 250 on July 3 and join the community for an evening of music, family fun, and fireworks:

• July 3
• 5–11 p.m.
• OC Fair & Event Center – Parking Lot A – 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
• FREE Admission

Check out this promo video.

The event will include the following:

• Live music from Flashback Heart Attack & the America 250 Choir
• Spectacular Fireworks Show at 9 p.m.
• Contest & community activities
• Kids activities
• Food and drinks available for purchase

Please note: 

🚫 No glass containers or bottles

🚫 No hard-sided coolers

🚫 No pop-up tents

🚫 No outside alcohol

Bring your family, friends, and patriotic spirit as we celebrate 250 years of America together!

Fireworks season is here and we want to remind everyone that in Costa Mesa selling illegal fireworks is a felony, and possession/use of illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine and/or jail time.

Please be a good neighbor and don’t set off illegal fireworks. If it can leave the ground and explodes in the air, it’s illegal.

The Costa Mesa Municipal Code authorizes the sale of safe and sane fireworks:

June 30 – July 3 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

July 4 from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The Municipal Code authorizes the discharge of safe and sane fireworks:

July 2 -July 4 between the hours of 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. only.

The Costa Mesa Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit and Community Policing Unit is already focused on taking illegal fireworks off the streets. Two recent investigations resulted in the seizure of approximately 710 pounds of illegal fireworks and two arrests.

Loud and unsafe illegal fireworks continue to be a frequent complaint from our community this time of year.

Let’s celebrate Independence Day with the right fireworks, labeled Safe and Sane, that will be sold in stands around the city starting June 30.

To report illegal fireworks, call the Police Department’s non-emergency line 714-754-5252

Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue’s 10 newest recruits recently took their oath, also known as affirmation of allegiance.

The oath was administered by the City’s very own city clerk, Brenda Green and was held in Council Chambers. 

As new City employees and public servants, Firefighter/Paramedics Jacob Magoon, John Gardner, Steven Schlichting and Cory Emerson and probationary Firefighters Edgar Rodriguez, Samuel Barkley, Cameron Lopez, Vladislav Nechai, William Yuth and Glen Linden III were required to take the oath to our country. 

This is also an oath to our community and the state.

After the recruits verbally accepted the oath, they each signed a copy and are ready to begin their tenure with CMFR.

After successful completion of their probationary period, we are hopeful and look forward to a future formal community swearing in and badge-pinning ceremony. 

Fresh concrete became a permanent canvas for poems written by local residents at Ketchum-Libolt Park.

Earlier this year, we invited the community to submit poems, and a selection panel chose the pieces that will now be part of the park’s landscape for generations to come.

Thank you to our Public Works, Parks & Community Services and contractor teams for their dedication to bringing this project to life. We also appreciate Arts Commissioner Charlene Ashendorf for joining us to celebrate this exciting milestone.

Concerts in the Park are coming back to Fairview Park.

Gather your friends, family, and neighbors for three evenings of live music, food trucks, and community fun.

• July 14 – Sega Genecide
• July 21 – Tijuana Dogs
• July 28 – Common Sense
• 5 p.m.: Pre-show activities, opening act and beer garden
• 6 p.m.: Main stage performance

Pack your beach chairs and blankets, grab dinner from the food trucks, visit community booths, and enjoy a summer evening under the open sky.

Our CostaMazing community is encouraged to rideshare or bike to the events.

We hope to see you there! 

The City of Costa Mesa invites the community to review and comment on the draft amendment to the Safety Element and draft Environmental Justice policies. 

The City is updating its Safety Element and establishing Environmental Justice policies to comply with state law and further the City’s sustainability goals and priorities.

The Community is invited to review and comment on the draft amendment to the Safety Element and draft Environmental Justice policies between July 1 and Aug. 4.

Access the draft documents at www.costamesaca.gov/sustainability.

You can provide your comments by emailing them to sustainability@costamesaca.gov. 

Last week, the contractor constructing safety and mobility improvements along Adams Avenue made significant progress on the installation of new landscaping in the center medians.

As part of this project, new trees and shrubs are being added to enhance the appearance of the corridor.

A total of 44 Desert Willow trees were planted in the medians. Desert Willows are hardy, drought tolerant trees known for their attractive blooms, and they are expected to establish well and provide lasting beauty for many years.

In the coming weeks, the contractor will continue planting shrubs and will complete the median irrigation system. Once landscaping work is finished, the street will be rehabilitated and new cycle track will be installed.

Thank you for your patience as we complete these important improvements.

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) this week confirmed mosquito samples infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) in the cities of Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove and Westminster.

Orange County now has eight cities with WNV-positive mosquitoes, with OCMVCD reporting last week mosquito samples infected with WNV in the cities of Buena Park, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana and Seal Beach.

Inspectors will be out in the areas to check known sources of mosquito breeding and to try to identify any unknown sources. If we have continued positive mosquito samples, adult mosquito control may be conducted in the future.

At this time, OC Vector advises residents to take action and follow these tips:

• Wear repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants while outside at dawn and dusk
• Dump and drain containers holding standing water at least once a week
• Clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls
• Close all unscreened doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home or space
• Repair broken or damaged screens

More information about mosquito prevention is available here.

The Costa Mesa Police Department hosted a Coffee with a Cop event this week, June 30, at the Starbucks located inside the Macy’s in South Coast Plaza.

It was a great way to meet shoppers, locals, and staff who work in retail, theft prevention, and security. Conversations were centered around scams trending in the area, fraud, and organized retail theft. 

No matter what is up for discussion, we are always happy to connect with folks in a relaxed environment, especially if there is coffee included.

With the upcoming Independence Day Celebration coming up, here are some helpful tips for pet owners.

The City’s animal shelter (WAGS) will be open to the public for pet redemptions on July 4, 2026 between 8am-12pm and 3pm-6pm | Please, Text (714) 887-6156 to get a hold of shelter staff. WAGS is located at 6621 Westminster Blvd. in Westminster. To view animals found in Costa Mesa, please visit their website, www.wagspetadoption.org  

For missing/lost pets, found pets, and general questions regarding animal control or to report wildlife related issues, please call the Animal Control hotline at (714) 754-5311 and leave a detailed message.

The Costa Mesa Historical Society Speakers' Series continues in July with guest Greer Wylder, founder of "Greer’s OC" lifestyle website and author of "Born in OC.” Greer has spent years documenting the people, places, and stories that define Orange County.

Her work captures the character of the region through its local voices, making this a meaningful and engaging program for our community. Event Details: Sunday, July 12 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The event takes place at the Norma Hertzog Community Center 1845 Park Ave.

Free for Members who just need to RSVP. It's $15 for Non-Members Get tickets today at costamesahistory.org.

Check out CMTV’s recent “Let’s Talk Costa Mesa” interview with Historical Society President Mikelle Fish promoting Greer’s upcoming talk HERE:

Gather your friends and family, pack a blanket and some snacks, and join us for a showing of Minecraft at the next Movie in the Park event.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Time: Activities starting at 7:30pm, movie starts at dusk

Where: Balearic Park/Community Center (1975 Balearic Dr, Costa Mesa, 92626)

The event is free, family-friendly, and fun for all ages! Please note that parking is limited; walking, biking, and ridesharing are highly encouraged.

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors for helping make this event possible:

⚽ SoCal Elite Football Club

📚 Kumon Costa Mesa – Southwest

🍗 Raising Cane’s

See you there. 

Misty is a 2 year old, female, Pit Bull Terrier. Misty was found stray in Costa Mesa and brought to the shelter by a good Samaritan.

Misty is a beautiful girl looking for a family to call her own! Misty is up to date on her vaccines, for additional information about Misty, please contact, WAGS via text message at (714) 887-6156.

Misty is located at The WAGS Pet Adoption Center 6621 Westminster Blvd. | Tuesday through Sunday, 1pm-5pm for adoption tours - walk-ins welcome. To view other adoptable pets, visit, www.wagspetadoption.org.