The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a request from 5th District Supervisor Bill Horn to allocate $296,300 for 13 North County organizations in direct or matching grants from the discretionary Community Projects Budget.

"This investment in people represents our continued support for organizations that are showing positive results in serving the needs of North County residents," says Bill. "It's our way of returning taxpayer dollars directly to where they can be used the most."

Organizations to receive funding: a $100,000 grant to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department to be used by the North County Regional Gang Taskforce for office supplies, training and miscellaneous needs; $50,000 to the Oceanside Boys & Girls Club for a new gymnasium roof; $40,300 to the Rancho Santa Fe Seniors Inc., for miscellaneous supplies and building improvements; $20,000 to Girls Incorporated of North San Diego County for repainting the exterior of four buildings and playground equipment; and $17,500 to the Fallbrook Food Pantry to provide food to needy families in Bonsall, Rainbow, De Luz and Fallbrook.

Also, $10,000 to the County Parks & Rec for the installation of two overhead lights at Dan Dussault Park in Fallbrook; $10,000 each to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and North County, contingent on those clubs first raising matching funds of $10,000 for general operational and program expenses; $5,000 to Straight From The Heart for a big band concert benefiting North County Foster Parents and Children; and $3,500 to the Tri-City branch of Christian Youth Theater for sound equipment.

LAW KIDS —— Local students will be honored tonight by the North County Bar Association and the Lawyer Referral Service during an awards dinner at the Shadowridge Country Club in Vista.

The elementary schools poster winners are (first, second and third place respectively): Stephanie Myers of Lake Elementary, Tori McRae of St. Francis, and Allison Vincent of St. Mary's.

Middle school essay winners: Jackson Lewis of Meadowbrook School, Michelle Lin and Amanda Satterwhite, both of Valley Middle School.

High school essays: Abby Tyagi of Torrey Pines High, Anthony Rosefeld of San Pasqual High, and Adayis Jackson of El Camino High.

High school photo winners: Abby Tyagi of Torrey Pines High, Adayis Jackson and April Waller both of El Camino High.

Congrats!

Notes for Tom Morrow can be e-mailed to tmorrow@nctimes.com, or call (760) 901-4074. Find his previous columns on the Internet at www.nctimes.com