New Santa Ana

Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Lalloway selected as the OCTA’s Board Chairman

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in irvine, OCTA Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 12, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Lalloway Selected as OCTA Board Chairman

Director Donchak will serve as vice chairman of the board

ORANGE – Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Lalloway was unanimously selected today as the new chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors.

Lalloway served as the OCTA board’s vice chairman for the last year. He replaces outgoing Chairman Shawn Nelson, also the county’s Fourth District Supervisor, who remains on the board. Continue reading→

Free haircuts, food and clothing bags for the homeless on 2/7 in Tustin

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Entertainment, homeless, Tustin Leave a comment

Operation Warm Wishes Present “Cut the Hate and Share the Love! Free Haircuts, Food and Clothing Bags for the Homeless and Families in Need

Join Operation Warm Wishes and some of Southern California’s hottest Hair Salons,Barber Shops and stylist as we come together under one roof to provide free haircuts and makeovers to those in need. Also they will be provided with the help and resources they need to get back up. It’s going to be an incredible day of cutting the hate and sharing the love!

When: Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 1 pm
Where: Clifton C. Miller Community Center-300 Centennial Way, Tustin CA Continue reading→

Financial Aid Family Night at Santa Ana High School set for Jan. 14

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Entertainment, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Tom Daly Leave a comment

Santa Ana High School – Financial Aid Family Night

Assemblyman Tom Daly, in partnership with Santa Ana High School, invites you and your student to attend a financial aid workshop this Wednesday evening:

Santa High School – Financial Aid Family Night
6:00pm, Wednesday, January 14th
Auditorium
520 West Walnut Street Continue reading→

OCDA seeks additional victims of Irvine-based company that sold bogus chips

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 00753194

Date: January 9,2015

OCDA SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF COMPANY ACCUSED OF MAKING MILLIONS SELLING BOGUS PRODUCT NATIONWIDE

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of an Irvine-based Internet sales company accused of selling a bogus car performance chip nationwide. In a civil consumer prosecution filed by the OCDA, GFORCE CHIPS (GFORCE) is accused of committing unlawful business practices and engaging in false advertising by selling a sham product marketed as a legitimate after-market car performance chip. The case was assigned yesterday, Jan. 8, 2015, for all purposes to Department C-16, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

GFORCE is owned and operated by 31-year-old Ravi Ghataode. Continue reading→

HireLive Career Fair set for Jan. 16 in Santa Ana

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Jobs, Santa Ana 2 Comments

HireLive is hosting an Orange County Career Fair on Friday, January 16, 2015 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, at the Embassy Suites – OC Airport, located at 1325 East Dyer Road, in Santa Ana.

Some of the companies registered for this event include: Forest Lawn Memorial, Orkin, Starwood Vacation, UniFirst, AAA, Hershey’s, PennySaver, Time Warner Cable, Ortho Mattress, The Word & Brown, Cintas, Capital Alliance, Farmers Insurance, Welk Resorts, WURTH USA, IOTEC, Raising Cane’s, Ricoh, Culligan Water, Southwest School, AKI Home, LGCY Power, US ARMY, and more.

Many of these companies offer some of the following: Continue reading→

Man facing felony charges after high speed chase in Westminster

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Public Safety, Westminster Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14WF4277

Date: January 9, 2015

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDERING FRIEND BY CRASHING TRUCK AND ASSUALTING TWO POLICE OFFICERS DURING HIGH SPEED PURSUIT

WESTMINSTER – A man is scheduled to be arraigned today for murdering a friend after assaulting two police officers and leading police on two separate high speed pursuits in Westminster. Javier Homero Montoya, 41, Riverside, is charged with one felony count each of murder, assault with a deadly weapon, evading peace officers while driving recklessly, evading peace officers while driving recklessly causing serious bodily injury or death, and two felony counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer. He faces a sentencing enhancement for a prior serious felony conviction in 2000 for committing a residential burglary in Riverside County. If convicted, Montoya faces a maximum sentence of 59 years to life in state prison. He is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for a continued arraignment hearing today, Jan. 9, 2015, in Department W-12, West Justice Center, Westminster. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Family and friends say goodbye to Marine who died in New Year’s Day crash

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Picture Courtesy of the Orange Plaza Patriots FB page

The Santa Ana man who died in a New Year’s Day head-on crash in East Whittier, Matthew George Tapia, a 24-year-old Marine, was lad to rest on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at Fairhaven Memorial Cemetery, in Santa Ana.

Tapia’s body was escorted by members of the Orange Plaza Patriot Guard, who honored him with a flag line and a salute. His Memorial Service was on Friday night at Calvary Chapel Tustin. A reader reported that it was standing room only and people had overflowed into the hallways while trying to attend the service.

After the service the motorcycle riding Patriot Guard, with flags flying and colored lights blinking, escorted Matthew’s body to the cemetery. Continue reading→

Sprinklers left running at the Park Santiago Lawn Bowling Center for over 48 hours

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Gerardo Mouet, Parks and Recreation, public works, Santa Ana, Water Leave a comment

Sprinklers have been running for over 48 hours at the Santa Ana Lawn Bowling Center, which is located at Santiago Park, off of Memory Lane, despite the rainy weather. Members of the Park Santiago Neighborhood Association have tried calling any number that made sense, to no avail. They also called the Lawn Bowlers – who mostly don’t live in Santa Ana.

The entire Lawn Bowling Center was also left unlocked on Friday night as well. Continue reading→

Will the new Norms Restaurant owner improve the Santa Ana location?

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business, Food, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

After more than 65 years of family ownership, Southern California’s iconic Norms restaurant chain has been sold. The flashing neon and 24-hour sizzling grills have been a Los Angeles institution since Norman Roybark opened his first location near the bustling music scene at Sunset and Vine in 1949 and will continue on under new owner Jim Balis, according to L.A. Magazine.

The Norm’s in Santa Ana has been on the corner of 17th and Main St. for as long as I can remember. They are open 24 hours and are always busy. Service can be spotty, as noted in Yelp, where they have only 2.5 stars. But their breakfast meals are awesome and I love that they serve soup and salad with many of their dinners. And you can’t beat their half a sandwich with soup and salad lunch. Continue reading→

Unum Sunglasses finishes 1st year by donating to Santa Ana Wrestling team

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alex Flores, Business, Charities, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Unum Sunglasses Celebrates First Year By Giving Back To The Community

Company contributes portion of sales to Santa Ana Wrestling team

January 10, 2015 (Santa Ana, CA) – Unum Sunglasses is celebrating its first anniversary with the accomplishment of its goal to give back a portion of its sales to the community.

The company behind the Aviator and Wayfarer sunglasses recently donated $1,500 to the Santa Ana Athletic Foundation that will help support the students on the Santa Ana Wrestling Team. The donation is part of Unum’s goal to foster a new generation of leaders who understand the power of community engagement. Continue reading→

Suspected DUI driver crashes during pursuit by Sheriff’s Deputies

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, irvine, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Suspected DUI Driver Crashes During Pursuit by Deputies

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – (January 10, 2015) – On Friday, January 9, 2015 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies initiated a pursuit of a 2002 Ford Explorer in the area of Toledo Way and Serrano Road. The driver of the vehicle was suspected by deputies of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Deputies pursued the vehicle for approximately (5) minutes through the cities of Lake Forest, Irvine and Mission Viejo. The pursuit terminated on southbound Trabuco Road near Carlota Road, Mission Viejo, when the vehicle was unable to negotiate a curve in the road and collided with an embankment.

As a result of the collision, the 18 year-old female driver was ejected from the vehicle and suffered life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she remains in grave condition. A 20-year old male passenger in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries and remains hospitalized; an 18 year-old female passenger in the vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from an area hospital. Continue reading→

Eight measles cases confirmed in Orange County

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana 2 Comments

For Immediate Release: January 9, 2015

Contact: Nicole Stanfield nstanfield@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

Eight Confirmed Measles Cases in Orange County

MMR Vaccination Recommended Due to Potential Public Exposure

(Santa Ana) – Orange County has eight confirmed cases of measles, in conjunction with the outbreak recently reported affecting multiple counties in California and Utah. The Orange County Health Care Agency expects that the measles outbreak will continue to spread, and reminds the public that the best way to prevent the measles is by getting vaccinated.

The most recent cases spent time in public locations in Orange County while contagious, increasing the possibility that Orange County residents may be exposed to measles. For a current list of potential exposure locations and times, please visit the Health Care Agency website at www.ochealthinfo.com/measles. The website will be updated as additional exposure locations are identified. Continue reading→

Cholula’s Bakery apologizes but their health record has been bad for awhile

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Drugs, Health and Medical, Restaurants, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Cholula’s Bakery has posted an apology on their Facebook page in the wake of this week’s scandal that saw many of their customers sickened after they consumed their Rosca de Reyes bread. Here is their apology:

First off and foremost we would like to apologize to all of our customers who experienced strange symptoms after eating our rosca de reyes cake. Our small business has been in operation for over 14 years and we have never seen anything like this; at the same time we don’t want anyone to think that for any reason we are attempting to bypass our responsibilities.

There are steps we need to take and at this moment our small business is collaborating with the health department to solve this problem, and our employees are also working hard to ensure our business is safe and in good condition to continue providing our loyal customers the quality product they come to purchase. Again, we are apologetic and in a way ashamed this happened to our customers.

As soon as we are informed what caused these rare side effects, you will be informed too.

Continue reading→

There was a synthetic drug in Cholula’s Bakery’s Rosca de Reyes bread

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Disease, Drugs, Food, Health and Medical, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department
For Immediate Release: January 9, 2015
Contacts: nstanfield@ochca.com, (714) 834-2178; abertagna@santa-ana.org, (714) 245-8029

Advisory: Foodborne Illness Investigation at Cholula’s Bakery

(Santa Ana) – One January 6, 2015 the Orange County Health Care Agency closed Cholula’s Bakery in Santa Ana and began a foodborne illness investigation after receiving several reports of illness related to eating Rosca de Reyes Bread distributed by the bakery on January 5 and 6, 2015.

Based on preliminary laboratory results from product samples that indicated the presence of a synthetic drug in the bread, the investigation will be handed back to the Santa Ana Police Department for criminal investigation. Confirmatory laboratory results are expected in one to two weeks. Persons who believe they have consumed the tainted bread are encouraged to contact the Santa Ana Police Crimes Against Persons Unit at (714) 245-8390. Continue reading→

OCDA claims that teen died because he was exempted from a gang injunction

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana 2 Comments

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: January 8, 2015

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CHRISTMAS EVE MURDER OF JUVENILE DOCUMENTED GANG MEMBER IN SAFETY ZONE

SANTA ANA – Law enforcement is seeking additional information on a murder of a juvenile documented gang member inside a gang injunction safety zone on Christmas Eve. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) had filed a preliminary gang injunction in August 2014 against a Santa Ana criminal street gang, which named and sought to enjoin 17-year-old Angel Arellano, who was murdered inside the safety zone named in the injunction. At the time of the murder, Arellano was contesting the injunction and was not subject to its terms. There is a pre-trial scheduled on the injunction on Jan. 13, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., in Department C-14, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On the night of Dec. 23, 2014, Arellano and some fellow gang members were armed and looking for rival gang members in the safety zone named in the injunction. Before midnight, Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officers responded to a call of four to five shots fired on South Sullivan Street. While at the scene, SAPD officers were informed that Arellano had been taken and abandoned at Coastal Communities Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. Arellano was immediately transported to Western Medical Center Santa Ana in critical condition, where he later died as a result of his gunshot wounds. Continue reading→

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Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Lalloway selected as the OCTA’s Board Chairman

Free haircuts, food and clothing bags for the homeless on 2/7 in Tustin

Financial Aid Family Night at Santa Ana High School set for Jan. 14

OCDA seeks additional victims of Irvine-based company that sold bogus chips

HireLive Career Fair set for Jan. 16 in Santa Ana

Man facing felony charges after high speed chase in Westminster

Family and friends say goodbye to Marine who died in New Year’s Day crash

Sprinklers left running at the Park Santiago Lawn Bowling Center for over 48 hours

Will the new Norms Restaurant owner improve the Santa Ana location?

Unum Sunglasses finishes 1st year by donating to Santa Ana Wrestling team

Suspected DUI driver crashes during pursuit by Sheriff’s Deputies

Eight measles cases confirmed in Orange County

Cholula’s Bakery apologizes but their health record has been bad for awhile

There was a synthetic drug in Cholula’s Bakery’s Rosca de Reyes bread

OCDA claims that teen died because he was exempted from a gang injunction