Page 3 Foothills Sentry JULY 2025 If you water, save water. Every drop counts Learn more at eocwd.com Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1801073 Ron Esparza, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0C79663 827 S. Tustin Ave Orange, CA 92866 Bus: 714-505-3400 ron@ronesparza.com Santiago Hills landscape assessment will increase again Property owners in Santiago Hills will see their annual assessment for neighborhood landscaping services increase by three percent. The fees, which appear on property tax statements, pay for the upkeep of the communities common areas and provide a capital budget to replace aging landscaping and infrastructure. Santiago Hills is the sole member of two landscaping management assessment districts. The first was established in 1986 and is capped at $369.44 per year for a single-family home; $221.66 per year for a condominium. The second district was approved by voters in 2015 to supplement the inadequate returns of the first. The second assessment is subject to an annual cost of living increase. Single-family homes will rise from $271.17 per year to $279.30. Condo fees will increase from $192.53 to $198.31. That brings the total property owner assessment to $923,615. Santiago Canyon College contributes $34,228, brining the total to $957,843. The projected costs for fiscal year 2026 are $1,100,708. The shortfall will be made up using the districts’ reserve fund. A public hearing on the increase was held June 10. Imperial Elementary students launch a disc at the throwing event. Arturo Gonzalez, Joey Mejia, Logan War and Jason Lopez from Olive Elementary have fun at the kicking event. Sofia Alfaro sprints towards her Sycamore Elementary teacher Alyse Gay. Representing event sponsor Luna Strength are, from left, Dave Brown, Alberto Lerma, Isabel Lerma and Matthew Keyser. Orange Unified School District hosted the 2025 Olympiad Games, a celebration of athleticism, inclusion and community spirit, organized by the District’s Special Education Department. This year’s event held special significance, as it honored the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark law ensuring equal access to education for students with disabilities. Now in its second year, the Olympiad Games brought together student-athletes, educators, families, community leaders and distinguished guests for a day filled with perseverance, unity, and school pride at Fred Kelly Stadium. The event opened with a spirited welcome, followed by the introduction of honored guests, live music from the Villa Park High School Band, and dynamic performances by the El Modena and Canyon High School Cheer and Song teams. “What a joy it was to attend the Olympiad Games, a truly inspiring celebration where courage met determination, and every stride, every cheer, and every smile reminded us of the strength and resilience within each of us,” said Superintendent Michael L. Christensen. “These Games embody the inclusive spirit of IDEA and the belief that ability comes in many forms.” The Olympiad Games and IDEA share a unified vision: a world where every individual is seen, heard, supported, and celebrated. From competitive events to moments of shared joy and encouragement, the 2025 Olympiad Games served as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when we champion inclusion, celebrate differences, and believe in the potential of every student. Orange Unified acknowledges the generous sponsors whose support made this event possible: Luna Strength, the Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation, Chapman University, Ralphs, the Orange Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Orange. OUSD’s 2025 Olympiad Games honor inclusion, courage and community Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and co-author Raymond Obstfeld signed copies of their latest book, “We All Want to Change the World,” at the Tustin Racquet Club, June 14. Obstfeld, a Tustin resident and member of the Racquet Club, is a prolific writer, publishing some 40 books. This is the ninth book Obstfeld has co-authored with AbdulJabbar. OPA prepares for barbecue The Orange Park Association has set the date for the community's 54th annual Fall BBQ and Dance for Saturday, Sept. 27. Tickets will go on sale beginning Aug. 1. Details will be available at orangeparkacres.org. Photo by Tony Richards
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