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:…
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…
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…
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…
City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County
Community Alert: Join the City of Santa Ana’s Community Emergency Response Team
In the event of a major disaster or a more common emergency, learn how to care for yourself, your family and your neighbors until help arrives.
Join the City of Santa Ana’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) by participating in the free training course (must attend all three sessions): Continue reading
Irvin Tellez
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE
Case # 13HF2731 & 13CF2980
Date: September 14, 2015
MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR THE MURDER OF ONE WOMAN AND THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF FEMALE BYSTANDER
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man is scheduled to face trial tomorrow for the murder of one woman and attempted murder of a female bystander. Co-defendant Irvin Tellez, 27, Garden Grove, is charged with one felony count each of murder and attempted murder, with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death, personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, and great bodily injury. If convicted, Tellez faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, Sept. 15, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Co-defendant Jaime Prieto Rocha, 42, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty Sept. 4, 2015, to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter with a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. Rocha is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 30, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach. Continue reading
Miss Guerrero at the Fiestas Patrias Parade
I already posted the pictures I took of our local elected officials at this Sunday’s Fiestas Patrias Parade (celebrating Mexican independence). But I also took a lot of other pictures – of the floats and other participants. I am posting them here.
If you don’t usually attend this parade I encourage you to do so. It is a lot of fun and a great look at the history and culture of Mexico. Continue reading
David Benavides at the 2015 Fiestas Patrias Parade
I stopped by today’s Fiestas Patrias parade in Downtown Santa Ana – mostly to take pictures of the local politicians but also to take in the spectacle. I was not disappointed on either count.
Somethings never change – Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides appeared to be riding in the same car he was in back in 2013 – with his kids. Continue reading
I try not to miss the annual Fiestas Patrias parade in Downtown Santa Ana not because it is a great parade but rather because it always presents me with the opportunity to take goofy pictures of our local politicians.
A couple years ago I caught career politician Janet Nguyen (who at the time was a Supervisor and is now a State Senator) dangling her unsecured toddler while sitting on the back seat of a convertible car (see the picture above). If only I had been taking video! She was screaming “Viva Mexico” at the time. (I am sure her fellow Republicans would love to see that video today!). Continue reading
A male teenager was shot in Santa Ana on Friday at around 6:30 p.m. when he was walking near the 1700 block of North Spurgeon St., according to the O.C. Register.
The young man was approached by two males. He began running away due south on Spurgeon St. and both of the suspects then pulled out guns and fired multiple shots at the teen. He was hit in his right arm and left hand. Continue reading
Mimura Chikuho, Hope, 2004. Bamboo (madake), rattan, lacquer. Photo © Susan Einstein.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TRAVELING EXHIBITION EXPLORES THE EVOCATIVE, SENSUAL AND SCULPTURAL POWER OF CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE BAMBOO ART
Santa Ana, CA (August 20, 2015)—Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California is pleased to announce Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, an exhibition exploring the innovative shape bamboo art has taken since the mid-twentieth century. Curated by Dr. Andreas Marks, Minneapolis Institute of Arts and organized by International Arts and Artists, Modern Twist features a stunning selection of works from the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture. With rare wall-hung installations and pieces never before seen in the United States, this exhibition both engages and educates audiences about a vibrant cultural art form. Modern Twist is on view at Bowers Museum from September 19, 2015 through January 3, 2016. Continue reading
Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Jose Solorio is celebrating his 45th birthday on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m, at Maggiano’s Little Italy, at the South Coast Plaza, located at 3333 Bristol Street, in Costa Mesa. This event is a fundraiser for Solorio’s reelection campaign.
The cost to attend is $45 per person. Or you can be an event sponsor: Continue reading
Santa Ana Police Department
Advisory: OCSD Airship “Duke” Assists SAPD Locate Armed Auto Theft Suspect After Pursuit
On Thursday 9-10-15 at midnight, an officer was patrolling the area of 500 S. Oak Street when he observed a suspicious vehicle occupied by a lone male occupant. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle for traffic violations but the driver failed to yield and led officers on a pursuit. During the pursuit, suspect Jeffery Zavala tossed a handgun out of the vehicle.
The pursuit ended in the city of Tustin when the driver fled on foot to a nearby school. The officer chased Zavala and used his Taser but it was ineffective. Zavala temporarily eluded capture until Orange County Sheriff’s Air Support “DUKE” observed him inside a nearby apartment complex. Officers established a perimeter and ordered Zavala to surrender. When he refused, the K9 was deployed and the suspect was taken into custody. The weapon Zavala tossed out of the vehicle during the pursuit was located and recovered by assisting officers.
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org
Murder Suspect Arrested
WESTMINSTER, Calif. (September 11, 2015) – On Friday, September 11, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) deputies arrested Craig Tanber, 37, Dana Point, wanted in connection with the stabbing homicide that occurred last Monday, September 7, 2015 in front of the Patsy’s Irish Pub in the City of Laguna Niguel. Tanber was taken into custody without incident or injuries.
Tanber was arrested at approximately 6:15 a.m. this morning after investigators obtained information he was staying at the Motel 6 at 13100 Goldenwest Street., Westminster. SWAT operators made entry into the motel room and safely took Tanber into custody. Continue reading
Gennieve Marie Rankin, 25-years-old, passed away last Friday in a tragic car accident. She leaves behind her husband, Santiago “El Chago” Duran and a 4-year-old daughter and funeral bills that her family cannot contend with by themselves.
Her family is hosting a Kermes this Saturday, September 12, 2015, at Centennial Park in Santa Ana, located at 3000 W. Edinger Ave., starting at 10 a.m., to raise funds to help pay for her funeral.
The event will include: Continue reading
Just some of the hacks who serve on the Orange County Vector Control District’s Board of Trustees
Is it time to fold the Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD) into the Orange County Health Care Agency? The OCVCD got caught this week trying to spray insecticides in several inner city neighborhoods of Santa Ana, after sending out a last minute press release last Friday about spraying that was at the time to take place on Monday.
I wrote a series of posts over at my New Santa Ana blog that exploded on Facebook, generating over 60,000 views and thousands of calls and emails to the many local politicians whose contact information appeared in my posts. By Monday the OCVCD was waving the white flag. They “suspended” the spraying due to the weather but the reality is that the backlash I generated, which I ended up calling “Mosquito Gate” made the spraying a total no-go.
Residents said they were unaware of the spraying and reacted online, with some calling the procedure a “toxic spray down.” Some residents questioned why only specific neighborhoods were targeted. Others who work in the early hours expressed concern of health effects associated with the scheduled early-morning spraying, according to the OC Register. Continue reading
Mike Hearst, OC Vector Control District Manager
The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District has bowed to massive public pressure and canceled their plans to spray chemicals on our homes for the remainder of the 2015 mosquito season.
The same thing happened last year. In both cases there was bad weather that contributed to the Vector Control District’s downfall. But this time public pressure accelerated very quickly.
A Facebook group formed to rally those opposed to the spraying. That group quickly grew to over 2,800 members and in the process has become a new political force in Orange County. Continue reading
The Orange County Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is hosting their September Technical Meeting on September 16, 2015, from 11:30 am to 1 pm, at the local offices of the American Red Cross, located at 600 N. Parkcenter Drive, Room PC 208, in Santa Ana.
The speaker is Patrick Prince, a corporate training and management consultant specializing in workplace violence prevention, conflict resolution, recognition and management of workplace substance abuse, trauma response and other related occupational health and safety issues.
Prince will be talking about “20 Years of Lessons Learned: The Future of Effective Workplace Violence Prevention.” Continue reading
The Orange County Vector Control District has canceled the chemical spraying they were going to start tonight, according to their Facebook page.
Here is the message they posted tonight: Continue reading