New Santa Ana

Construction and maintenance projects will disrupt Metrolink service in October

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Metrolink, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: Metrolink – Major Construction and Maintenance Projects to Impact October Weekend Service

Orange County, Inland-Empire County and 91/Perris Valley lines to be affected

Metrolink will experience major service interruptions the second, third and fourth weekends in October due to several coordinated major construction and maintenance projects that will improve safety and reliability for Metrolink passengers.

Scheduled annual maintenance will take place the weekends of October 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23, and will substantially impact service on the Orange County, Inland Empire-Orange County and 91/Perris Valley lines. Continue reading→

Body cameras and police hiring to be discussed at the Santa Ana Public Safety meeting on 9/27

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL MEETING

September 27, 2016, 4:30 P.M.

City Hall Ross Annex, Conference Room 1600, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California

AGENDA ITEMS

1. Approval of Minutes of the 2-22-16 Meeting

2. City Surplus Budget Review (Surplus Budget Presentation) – Francisco Gutierrez, Exec. Director, Finance and Management Services Agency {Strategic Plan Goal No. 4, 3b and 3c} Continue reading→

Supervisor Do wants to add 300 beds for overnight stays at the new Civic Center homeless shelter

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Andrew Do, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Homelessness: Supervisor Andrew Do asks for public’s support for 300-bed homeless shelter

At Tuesday’s meeting, OC to consider $1.4 million contract with Midnight Mission to run 300-bed shelter with 24-7 security

(Santa Ana, California)— Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is presenting for public input his ambitious plan to turn an abandoned bus terminal into a homeless shelter — within 30 days.

On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors will vote on a $1.4 million contract with Midnight Mission to run a 300-bed homeless shelter with round-the-clock security as well as job training services, permanent housing options, health care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment and veteran assistance services. Continue reading→

The new County Civic Center Transitional Center for the homeless is opening soon

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Transitional Center for Civic Center Homeless Readied for Opening

Comprehensive Civic Center Survey Released

Two contracts for the operation of a round-the-clock transitional center with emergency shelter beds and enhanced services will be considered Tuesday by the Orange County Board of Supervisors for the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal, which has been renamed “The Courtyard.”

The plan to use the former terminal was proposed by Supervisor Andrew Do at a special Board meeting earlier this month, with a directive to open the center within 30 days providing access to showers, food programs, storage and comprehensive service referrals. Public restrooms have been available at the former bus terminal since 2009; in August, the County installed additional portable toilets. Continue reading→

CA State Treasurer John Chiang endorses Bruce Bauer for the SAUSD School Board

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Bruce T. Bauer, Democratic Party, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Bruce Bauer and John Chiang

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bruce Bauer, 949-293-5311 – bruce@bauer4sausd.com

Subject: CALIFORNIA STATE TREASURER, JOHN CHIANG, ENDORSES BRUCE BAUER FOR SANTA ANA SCHOOL BOARD

Santa Ana, CA – Demonstrating his potent force in the race for the Santa Ana Unified School District Board race, Bruce Bauer, currently the Vice-Chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission collected a major statewide endorsement from California’s State Treasurer John Chiang.

John Chiang is currently the Treasurer for the State of California and was elected to that position in 2014. Prior to Treasurer, John Chiang was the Controller for the State of California for the period from 2006 to 2014. He is widely regarded for his work both as the State Controller and Treasurer. He is considered a top-contender for the 2018 governor’s race since his announcement that he will be running for that position in May of this year. Continue reading→

The 23rd Annual SAUSD Parent Conference is set for Oct. 1 at Saddleback H.S.

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Family, Santa Ana Leave a comment

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Deidra Powell Williams (714) 558-5555

Santa Ana Parents Exposed to Valuable Workshops and Resources to Help in Supporting Their Student’s Success at Annual Parent Conference

(September 26, 2016) – More than 1,000 Santa Ana Unified School District parents are expected to attend the 23rd Annual Parent Conference, which will focus on Preparing Global Ready Graduates, on Saturday, October 1, 2016, beginning at 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Saddleback High School, located at 2802 South Flower Street, Santa Ana. “We all have the same vision for our children – to learn and thrive in a safe environment so that they are successfully prepared to attend college and to work in their chosen career fields, so this conference is a great opportunity for us to connect with our parents and to provide them with valuable resources to support their children’s success,” said Stefanie Phillips, Ed. D., Superintendent of Santa Ana Unified School District. Continue reading→

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed last night on E. First St.

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Photo by Nelson Lopez

An unidentified man died last night at about 10 p.m., after being struck by a car as he crossed First Street near Maple Street, near El Vaquero, late Sunday night, according to the O.C. Register.

The man, whose identity is being withheld pending family notification, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

A new Santa Ana Charter High School will host a town hall meeting on 9/29

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Vice Chair Pilar O’Cadiz, mpocadiz@tanms-erc.org; Chair Tom Wilson, 949-230-6723,

A new high school is coming to Santa Ana, and its founders are seeking community input to shape it. La Escuela Freire is holding a town hall meeting Thursday, September 29, 4:30-6:00 p.m., at Centro Comunitario de Educación, 216 N. Broadway, in Santa Ana. Public input is welcome, especially from prospective parents, students, and teachers.

La Escuela Freire Academy for Culture, Leadership, and Civic Engagement hopes to work with Santa Ana Unified School District officials to plan the school, which intends to employ mostly current SAUSD employees. LEF’s board is composed of leaders and educators from Chapman and other Southern California universities. Continue reading→

A Santa Ana resident is challenging Tom Daly in the 69th Assembly District election this Nov.

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, Ofelia Velarde-Garcia, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Tom Daly 2 Comments

ofelia-velarde-garcia-and-her-supporters

Ceci Iglesias, Ofelia Velarde-Garcia, Angie Cano and Steven Nguyen

Over half of the voters in the 69th Assembly District are Latino – but our Assembly representative is Tom Daly, who as the former Mayor of Anaheim had a distinctly anti-Latino record. Daly opposed a Hispanic supermarket that did eventually open in Anaheim without his support. He also persecuted the poor people who live in Anaheim’s motels.

Make no mistake about it, Daly is in the Assembly to serve the 1% – and to vote for whatever Disney and other special interests in Anaheim ask him to vote for. Continue reading→

Ana Urzua Alcaraz explains why she is running for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Ana Urzua Alcaraz, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Ana Urzua Alcaraz and Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez

I asked Ana Urzua Alcaraz, the only woman candidate running for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3, to send me her campaign platform and she did! Here it is:

Economic Security

I will dedicate myself to create better economic security for our city’s residents. I will champion good jobs, living wages, benefits for workers, more funds for apprenticeship and job training, and higher standards for city contracts to produce good jobs.

I will champion economic opportunities for youth through career pathway programs, and partnerships with educational institutions. Young people deserve the chance to grow in Santa Ana and raise their children here too. Balanced growth will ensure that Santa Ana does not become too expensive for its residents to afford. Continue reading→

Meet Santa Ana City Council Ward 1 candidate Jessica B. Cha on 9/28

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Jessica Byulnim Cha, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 1 Comment

Jessica B. Cha, our endorsed candidate for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 1, is hosting a campaign meet and greet and fundraiser on Wed., September 23, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Robbins Nest Wine Bar & Bistro, located at 207 W 2nd Street, in Santa Ana. RSVP to (626) 422-0183 or email martin@presidiosc.com. You can also contribute online here.

Cha is a successful family law attorney with a law practice located in Santa Ana. Her father Walter owns a number of properties in our city. I had a chance to hear her in action at this week’s Com Link candidates’ forum. She knows the issues and is a good communicator. Continue reading→

A family’s car was hit by gunfire as they drove by Jerome Park last night

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, David Benavides, Gangs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Last night at about 10:30 p.m. a shooting occurred at 800 S. Townsend, in Santa Ana, according to SAPD Case Number 16-24254.

A family, including two adults and two children, was driving in the area when they heard a gunshot. Immediately afterwards, the front passenger window of their vehicle shattered. Fortunately no one was hit. Continue reading→

Solorio is building a massive campaign for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, Jose Solorio, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Former Santa Ana City Councilman and State Assemblyman Jose Solorio is not taking his latest campaign, for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3, lightly, He has quietly collected a slew of top endorsements, including:

Santa Ana Police Officers Association
Orange County Professional Firefighters Association
SEIU – USWW (Justice for Janitors)
Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 582
United Association, Local 250
IBEW, Local 441
Heat & Frost Insulators, Local 5
Ironworkers, Local 416
Ironworkers, Local 433
Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties – Community Action Fund
Democratic Party of Orange County

Continue reading→

The SAPD is trying to identify an armed gas station robbery suspect

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Robbery Detective Request Assistance In Identifying Armed Robbery Suspect

Location: 710 E. Dyer Road – Circle K/Shell Gas Station

Synopsis: On 09/22/2016 at approximately 3:50 a.m., the suspect entered the Circle-K store, pointed a black semi-auto handgun at the cashier, and demanded money. The suspect fled on foot westbound on Dyer Road then possibly got on a bicycle and continued west toward Halladay. The suspect was wearing a light blue hoodie sweatshirt with dark blue sweats with a light blue stripe. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man on trial after brutally stabbing his wife and shooting her with a pellet gun

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Juan Carlos Guadarrama, a 44-year-old man, repeatedly stabbed his estranged wife with a hunting knife and shot her with a BB gun, leaving her near death as he ran away from a Santa Ana office complex, according to the O.C. Register.

The attorney for , however, told jurors that his client was in a “downward spiral” due to the murder of his nephew and death of his father, and that the panel should “keep an open mind” about allegations that it was premeditated attack. Continue reading→

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