Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana’s playgrounds, volleyball courts and tennis courts to close
March 31, 2020 - Civic Affairs, Disease, Emergencies, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana is closing its playgrounds, volleyball courts and tennis courts beginning Wednesday, April 1, in order to prevent gatherings and protect the public from COVID-19. The City has already shuttered its enclosed parks, recreation and other facilities and canceled all programs and classes except the take-out senior meals program. Those include:…

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The County of Orange has launched an Economic & Business Recovery Call Center
March 31, 2020 - Business, Disease, Emergencies, Orange County, Santa Ana - No Comments

Effective March 30, Orange County Community Services has implemented a call center to meet the needs of businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Economic & Business Recovery Call Center will offer information and resources to help Orange County businesses navigate the current economic climate. These resources will support businesses with challenges such…

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Santa Ana businesses can get help from a Small Business Incentive Grant
March 31, 2020 - Business, Civic Affairs, Emergencies, Santa Ana - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana is offering a grant of $2,500 to $5,000 for Santa Ana-based microenterprises through the Santa Ana Small Business Incentive Program. Applicants must qualify for the Small Business Incentive Grant. Details are available at www.santa-ana.org/SBIP. Eligibility Qualifications The program provides a reimbursement grant for eligible businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant…

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Understanding Santa Ana’s moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures
March 31, 2020 - Business, Disease, Emergencies, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana has created webpages in English, Spanish and Vietnamese to help residential and commercial tenants understand the City and State moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webpages include frequently asked questions, a sample letter that renters can use to advise their landlord of their inability to pay…

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Thai Viet Phan for the Santa Ana City Council

Help stop COVID-19!

Santa Ana College’s 100th Birthday Party will include fireworks, on 9/19

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, Family, Food, Food Trucks, music, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana College 100th Birthday

Santa Ana College is hosting their 100th ​​​​​Birthday Celebration this Saturday, Sep. 19, 2015, at 5 p.m.

We’re celebrating our 100th Birthday and you’re invited to the party!
Open to students, alumni, faculty, community partners and the Santa Ana neighborhood and beyond, our birthday party is going to be a blast. Live entertainment, games, food and plenty of SAC pride is in store. ​​Please view the information below for more on this exciting celebration!

Click Here to RSVP ​on Facebook ​ ​Click Here to RSVP on Google Calendar.

Exciting Zones for EVERYONE: Continue reading→

O.C. tsunami alert canceled and beaches are reopened

Posted on by Posted in Beaches, Earthquakes, Orange County, Public Safety Leave a comment

Tsunami sign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE

Date: 9/17/15, Time: 5:45 A.M.

ORANGE COUNTY BEACHES TO REOPEN

COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AND HOTLINE TO DEACTIVATE

All beaches, harbors, piers, and marinas in the Cities of Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and San Clemente, including County and State beaches will reopen as of 6:00 a.m.

Although no significant coastal flooding occurred there is a high likelihood of strong currents and waves dangerous to persons in or near the water. These strong currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boaters and coastal structures and may continue for several hours. Continue reading→

Dental assistant arrested for sexually assaulting two girls at OC Kids Dental

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Tommy Medina

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Family Crimes Detectives Arrest Dental Assistant For Sexual Assault

Believe There Are Additional Victims

On 9/16/15, Santa Ana Police Department Family Crimes Detectives arrested Tommy Medina for sexually assaulting two girls under 10-years-old while he was employed as a dental assistant. Medina, 25, of Santa Ana, was arrested from his place of employment, OC Kids Dental, 630 S. Main Street, Unit #C, in Santa Ana.

It is alleged Medina, while working as a dental assistant, sexually assaulted two female victims while in a private room at the dental facility. One of the victims was assaulted in 2013 and the other in 2014. Continue reading→

The SAPD is seeking to identify a man who has robbed several 7-11 stores

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Orange, Santa Ana Leave a comment

7 11 Santa Ana robber

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Robbery Detectives Request Media & Public Assistance Identifying Robbery Suspect

Suspect:

Male- Hispanic-20’s-5-4 to 5-8- 150 to 170 pounds –Goatee
Weapon: Large semi-automatic handgun
Possible right arm tattoo sleeved down to knuckles Continue reading→

Public invited to monthly flag raising at the Santa Ana library

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Veterans Leave a comment

Flags at the Santa Ana Library

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: PUBLIC INVITED TO MONTHLY FLAG RAISING CEREMONY HONORING OUR VETERANS THIS THURSDAY

In honor of the remarkable contributions that veterans have made to our country, the American Legion Post 131 and students from Heroes Elementary will be hosting a monthly flag raising ceremony, tomorrow Thursday, September 17 at 7:45 am.

The ceremony will last approximately 15-20 minutes and will honor veterans each third Thursday of the month. The flag raising ceremony will take place in front of the Santa Ana Public Library, at the flag pole located near the corner of Ross and Civic Center Drive. Everyone is invited to attend and recognize our local veterans. Continue reading→

Congresswoman Bass endorses Correa for Congress

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, Lou Correa, Politics Leave a comment

Karen Bass and Jesse Jackson

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: September 16, 2015

Contact: Dave Jacobson, (818) 943-2348

CONGRESSWOMAN KAREN BASS CHOOSES LOU CORREA FOR CA-46

Endorsement from Former California Assembly Speaker & Congresswoman Adds Fuel to Correa’s Momentum Surge in his Congressional Bid

SANTA ANA, CA— Driving new momentum into his campaign to represent California’s 46th Congressional District seat, today former State Senator Lou Correa received a sought-after endorsement from Congresswoman Karen Bass.

Prior to her time in Congress, Bass served as California’s Assembly Speaker. In Congress, Bass represents the state’s 37th District and serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affiars where she’s the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations. She also serves on the Steering and Policy Committee which sets the policy direction of the House’s Democratic Caucus. Continue reading→

Tsunami warning issued for all Orange County coastal areas

Posted on by Posted in Beaches, Earthquakes, Orange County Leave a comment

OC Tsunami Alert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE: September 16, 2015

Tsunami Advisory

A Tsunami Advisory has been issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center for all of Orange County Coastal areas.

The first waves are expected to arrive in Orange County at approximately 4:45 a.m. Although no significant coastal flooding is expected, some areas could experience dangerous currents and tidal surges due to this tsunami along beaches and in harbors and marinas. Continue reading→

Council Members Martinez, Reyna and Benavides voted against flying the rainbow flat at city hall

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, David Benavides, LGBT, Michele Martinez, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 1 Comment
Roman Reyna fakes that he supports gays

Roman Reyna fakes that he supports gays

A rainbow flag will fly over Santa Ana City Hall for five weeks this coming Harvey Milk Day (May 22) through the end of national Pride Month in June, making the city the first in Orange County to fly the symbol of LGBT solidarity, according to the O.C. Register.

However the motion did not pass unanimously even though all of the Santa Ana City Council Members are registered Democrats.

Council Members Michele Martinez, David Benavides and Roman Reyna voted against flying the rainbow flag over Santa Ana’s City Hall. Continue reading→

City loses case against party rental house owner then halts short-term home rentals

Posted on by Posted in Planning, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment
Picture courtesy of Homeaway.com

Picture courtesy of Homeaway.com

Remember that rental party house in West Floral Park, at 2239 N. Rosewood, that was driving all the neighbors nuts?  The City of Santa Ana cited the owner of the property, L.A. based Realtor Sarah Greenberg,  stating her short-term rental was not a permitted use in the residential area.

Well the city lost the appeal. Independent administrative hearing officer Barbara Echan issued a ruling on the rental dated Aug. 27, stating that the codes cited in notices to Greenberg do not prohibit short-term rentals and fail to clearly define what is permitted in the residential zone, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

Get a $5 Habit Burger Grill combo and help feed needy kids on 9/18 at the O.C. Register

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Entertainment, Food, Food Trucks, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

No Kid Hungry at Habit Burger

On Sept. 18, 2015 a food truck operated by Irvine-based Habit Burger Grill will be offering a $5 meal special to benefit the nonprofit Share Our Strength. The Habit Truck will set up in the visitor parking lot of The Orange County Register from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving $5 combo meals that include a charburger with cheese, fries and a drink. Other entree options will include a gluten-free lettuce wrap and veggie burger, according to the O.C. Register.

Habit officials said 100 percent of all funds will go to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, a nationwide effort to wipe out childhood hunger in the United States by educating families on how to cook healthy, affordable meals at home. Continue reading→

Transient convicted of murdering a woman in a brutal sexual assault at a Motel 6

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Stanton 1 Comment

Charles Patrick Drew

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 13ZF0161

Date: September 15, 2015

REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER CONVICTED OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES MURDER OF 29-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN THE COURSE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MOTEL ROOM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A registered sex offender was convicted today for the special circumstances murder of a 29-year-old woman in the course of sexually assaulting her in a Stanton motel room. Charles Patrick Drew, 65, transient, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of special circumstances murder in the commission of rape, sodomy, oral copulation, and sexual penetration by foreign object, one felony count each of rape of an unconscious person, sodomy of unconscious victim, oral copulation of unconscious person, sexual penetration by foreign object of unconscious victim, and aggravated assault. Drew faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. The court will also hear a bifurcated trial on the defendant’s two prior strike convictions for forcible rape and assault with a deadly weapon in Orange County in 1995 at his sentencing on Oct. 23, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-28, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man facing murder charge after driving a minivan into a woman and her boyfriend

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, buena park, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15NF2507

Date: September 15, 2015

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR MURDERING WOMAN BY INTENTIONALLY DRIVING INTO HER WITH MINIVAN AND INJURING HER BOYFRIEND

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man is scheduled to be arraigned today for murdering a woman by intentionally driving his minivan into her and also injuring her boyfriend. Nelson Ward, 60, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder and one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 28 years to life in state prison. Ward is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned today in Department CJ-1, Central Jail Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

On Sept. 12, 2015, Ward is accused of meeting 32-year-old Jessica Lynn Brown Carvajal and her boyfriend 51-year-old Robert Shore in Buena Park. The defendant is accused of inviting Carvajal and her boyfriend into his van and spending the day driving around to various locations and drinking alcohol. At some point during the day, the defendant is accused of sleeping in the back of his van and giving John Doe permission to drive while Carvajal was sitting in the passenger seat. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, Latinos, Loretta Sanchez, Politics Leave a comment

Loretta Sanchez at the Fiestas Patrias Parade

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2015

MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Morris, 202-225-2965,  Emily.Morris@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), co-chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Immigration and Border Issues Task Force, released the following video in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs September 15 through October 15. Continue reading→

Correa endorsed for Congress by the pioneer of CA drivers licenses for immigrants

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Latino Leaders, Lou Correa, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment
Gil Cedillo

Gil Cedillo

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: September 14, 2015

Contact: Dave Jacobson, (818) 943-2348, Shallman Communications

LOU CORREA WINS COVETED BACKING OF GIL CEDILLO

Pioneer of CA Drivers Licenses for Immigrants, Former Senator & Current L.A. Councilman Gil Cedillo Endorses Correa for Congress

SANTA ANA, CA— Bolstering his campaign to represent California’s 46th Congressional District seat, today former State Senator Lou Correa received a sought-after endorsement from former State Senator and current Los Angeles City Councilman Gil Cedillo.

Widely acknowledged as a pioneer in the effort to establish state drivers licenses for California’s undocumented individuals, Councilman Gil Cedillo’s endorsement carries significant weight among Latinos throughout California, and is particularly meaningful in the 46th Congressional District given its large Latino population. Continue reading→

Eat at CPK on 9/15-16 and support injured and ill CA firefighters and their families

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Family, Fires, Food, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

CPK Pizza with a purpose

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN SERVES “PIZZA WITH A PURPOSE” TO SUPPORT FIRE FAMILY FOUNDATION

Partnership To Raise Money for California Firefighters & Their Families

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the authority in creative dining with a California vibe, will host a two-day FUNdraiser at all of its Southern California locations to benefit Fire Family Foundation, which supports injured and ill California firefighters and their families. From Sept. 15-16, CPK will donate twenty percent of net sales (dine in, takeout, beverages, catering) across its 44 Southern California locations to the nonprofit organization. To support the Fire Family Foundation, CPK guests must present this flyer to their server. Continue reading→