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

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Benavides has received more gifts than the entire City Council

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Santa Ana 13 Comments

IMG_3814

Black Friday is just around the corner and I’m sure Councilman David Benavides is eagerly awaiting to see what gifts will be coming his way this year.  According to Benavides’ Form 700 filed with the FPPC, he raked in close to $900 in gifts in 2013.  Benavides haul was $545 greater than the next Councilmember on the list, Vince Sarmiento, who received $340 in gifts.

Here is a breakdown of the dollar amount of the gifts reported on the Form 700’s of all Santa Ana elected officials: Continue reading→

OCDA seeks additional victims of former teacher’s aide who had sex with a teen

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, OCDA, Orange Leave a comment

Richard Nolan Green

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14NF4345

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF FORMER TEACHER’S AIDE CHARGED WITH ENGAGING IN UNLAWFUL SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

FULLERTON – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) are seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a former teacher’s aide charged with engaging in an unlawful sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl. Richard Nolan Green, 28, Yorba Linda, is charged with one felony count each of unlawful sexual intercourse, lewd act upon a child, and oral copulation of a minor under 16 years old. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of four years and four months in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. He is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled for continued arraignment on Jan. 6, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton.

At the time of the crime, Green was a teacher’s aide for troubled youth in the Orange Unified School District. The victim in this case was not a student in the class where Green was teaching. Continue reading→

Liquor store clerk arrested for selling losing lottery scratchers and cashing in the winners

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

OCDA Seal

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF3866

Date: November 25, 2014

LIQUOR STORE CLERK ARRESTED FOR ILLEGALLY REDEEMING WINNING LOTTERY SCRATCHER TICKETS AND KNOWINGLY RESELLING LOSING TICKETS TO UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS

SANTA ANA – A liquor store clerk was arrested today and will be arraigned for illegally redeeming winning scratcher lottery tickets and knowingly reselling losing tickets to unsuspecting customers. Francis Bou Karam, 34, Newport Beach, is charged with one felony count of grand theft, one felony count of computer access fraud, and 23 felony counts of forgery with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000 and loss over $65,000. If convicted, Karam faces a maximum sentence of 18 years and four months in state prison. Karam is being held on $150,000 bail and must prove that the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. The arraignment date and time is to be determined.

Between Jan. 1, 2013, and Nov. 13, 2014, Karam worked as a clerk at Craig Liquor in Santa Ana. At the time of the crimes, Karam is accused of scratching off a small portion of lottery ticket scratchers, without purchasing them, to determine if they were winning tickets. This type of fraud is known as “pinning.” He is accused of redeeming the winning tickets for cash from California State Lottery (CSL) and reselling the losing tickets back to customers. Karam is accused of redeeming $50,000 in cash from winning lottery tickets and defrauding the CSL and unsuspecting customers of $100,000, which represents the combined retail value of the winning and losing lottery ticket scratchers. Continue reading→

Man convicted of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in a Santa Ana alley

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

Luis Antonio Garcia Morales

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12CF3351

Date: November 24, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES STABBING-MURDER OF FORMER GIRLFRIEND IN SANTA ANA ALLEYWAY

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of stabbing and murdering his former girlfriend in a Santa Ana alleyway. Luis Antonio Garcia Morales, 26, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of special circumstance murder by lying in wait. The sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon was found true. Morales faces a sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing Jan. 23, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-35, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On the evening of Nov. 13, 2012, Morales arranged to meet with 21-year-old Maria Isabel Cerrillo, with whom he had a previous romantic relationship, by pretending to be someone else. The defendant met his ex-girlfriend in an alleyway in Santa Ana, murdered her by stabbing her repeatedly, and then fled the scene. The victim died from multiple stab wounds. Continue reading→

Emerging Non Profit Dance Company to Perform at the Patchwork Show

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Dance, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Embark Dance Theatre

Media Contact: Kaitlin Wright, (661) 350-7541, kaitline13@gmail.com

Emerging Non Profit Dance Company to Perform at Local Santa Ana Art Festival

Recent 501(c)(3) incorporated company, Embark Dance Theatre (EDT) will share modern dance with the community at the Patchwork Show on Nov. 30th.

Brea, CA — Nov. 25, 2014 — Orange County residents can catch a performance by dance company, Embark Dance Theatre (EDT), at the Patchwork artisan craft festival in downtown Santa Ana on 2nd and Sycamore St on Sunday, Nov. 30th. The Patchwork show gives local crafters, designers and artists a place to share their artisan crafts with the community and for the second time, Embark will add their creativity to the event.

Performing a 25 minute set of original choreography, Embark hopes to expose the community to modern dance and invite people to explore art in a uniquely accessible way. Continue reading→

U.S. Rep. Sanchez to visit the OC Children’s ARTS Center on Tuesday

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Education, Loretta Sanchez, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 1 Comment

Loretta Sanchez at Halloween

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez to visit the OC Children’s ARTS Center on Tuesday

OCCTAC President Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami is looking forward to welcoming Ms. Sanchez to explain our comprehensive community services approach and to discuss the needs of the families attending our Center for arts-based education and therapeutic and family services.

Congresswoman Sanchez is committed to facilitating job creation, reducing crime, supporting quality educational opportunities and increasing access to affordable health care for everyone. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Unum Sunglasses releases their new polarized aviator style collection

Posted on by Posted in Alex Flores, Business, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Aviator Unums Unum Sunglasses Releases New Polarized Aviator Style Collection

Popular fashion eyewear available in two colors and suits varying ages and tastes

November 24, 2014

(Santa Ana CA) – Unum Sunglasses announces the release of a new Aviator Style collection to join its brand of fashionable eyewear. The new collection is the second product released by the company which launched with its Wayfarer style sunglasses in the summer of 2013.

Aviator sunglasses are popular with the military and on university campuses, and are known for the signature curve of the lens that slightly wraps the temple of the face. Suitable for both younger and older crowds, Aviator sunglasses offer customers two color options, ‘Nocte’ – a classic black lens, and a midnight blue shade called ‘Frigus.’ Continue reading→

Santa Ana to receive another $1.5M in active transportation state funding

Posted on by Posted in california, Santa Ana, Transportation 1 Comment

CA Transportation Commission

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (CTC) AWARDS CITY AN ADDITIONAL $1.5 MILLION IN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

SANTA ANA, CA (November 24, 2014) – The City of Santa Ana was recently awarded an additional $1.5 million in Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 1 funding for two more projects by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

“Keeping our roadways safe for all modes of transportation is a major priority for the City. This is great news for the City because when combined with the six projects approved in August, it means the City will receive a total of about $4.8 million dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian improvements,” said Councilman Vincent Sarmiento. Continue reading→

Two young men shot in broad daylight in Councilwoman Martinez’ Ward

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Gangs, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana 11 Comments

Roosevelt Elementary School

Two men, both 18, were shot in the upper torso, on Friday in Santa Ana, at around 12:45 p.m. in the 700 block of East Chestnut Avenue, according to the O.C. Register. The men were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and they are expected to survive, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

The shooting happened on the north side of the campus of Roosevelt Elementary School.  It is highly disturbing that the incident occurred at mid-day.  The area in question is in Councilwoman Michele Martinez’ Ward 2.  She has previously admitted to selling drugs when she was a teenager and the local law enforcement associations opposed her reelection campaign this year. Continue reading→

Kombucha on Tap is now being offered in Santa Ana at CIVIC

Posted on by Posted in Food, Health and Medical, Restaurants, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Kombucha on tap

Kombucha on Tap is now being offered in Santa Ana at CIVIC. This is the first place in Santa Ana that you can get kombucha on tap. You can get it in bottles at grocery stores but on tap is brand new.  CIVIC is located at 1236 W. Civic Center, Suite C, in Santa Ana, just East of Bristol.

What is Kombucha and Why Drink It?

Kombucha on Tap is a live, raw, gluten-free, non-GMO, certified organic, fermented tea rapidly growing in popularity among health food lovers.  Kombucha has actually been around for thousands of years.  It originated in China in the third century B.C. Continue reading→

Thanksgiving Holiday travel tips from John Wayne Airport

Posted on by Posted in Airplanes, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

John Wayne Travel Tips

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT PROVIDES THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS

In anticipation of one of the most heavily traveled holiday periods, John Wayne Airport (JWA) offers travel tips to help passengers prepare for a safe and enjoyable holiday. Passengers traveling through JWA between Friday, November 21 and Monday, December 1 will experience higher-than-normal passenger traffic due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

This season, JWA is partnering with KeepOCSafe to encourage travelers to be aware of their surroundings and report questionable objects or activities. A giant red backpack will be on display in the Riley Terminal throughout the holidays to remind passengers and visitors, “If You See Something, Say Something.”

Tips for Passengers and Visitors: Continue reading→

SAPD homicide detectives are investigating the death of a two-year-old child

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

SAPD

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Santa Ana PD homicide detectives investigating death of 2 year old child

On 11/22/2014 at 1:45am officers responded to a medical aid call in the 2500 block of S. Linda Way.

The 2 year old boy was not breathing and pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide detectives were called to the scene and are currently investigating the circumstances. Continue reading→

SAPD DUI checkpoint set for 11/21 at 1400 S. Bristol

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana 2 Comments

SAPD DUI Checkpoint

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint Fri, Nov 21st, 2014, 9:00 PM-3:00 AM in the area of 1400 S. Bristol St.

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, November 21st, 2014. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 3:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 1400 S. Bristol Street, Santa Ana, CA.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver. Continue reading→

Poll – will you vote for Do or Correa in the First Supervisorial District?

Posted on by Posted in 2015 Elections, Andrew Do, Democratic Party, Janet Nguyen, Lou Correa, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Andrew Do and Janet Nguyen

 Pictured: Andrew Do and Janet Nguyen

There might be a half dozen candidates interested in replacing Supervisor Janet Nguyen in the First Supervisorial District – but make no mistake about it, this race will come to two candidates – Andrew Do (Nguyen’s former Chief of Staff) and Lou Correa.

Do has already lined up the support of Supervisor Nguyen, along with Supervisor Pat Bates, Senator and Congresswoman-Elect Mimi Walters and Congressman Ed Royce. This means the OC GOP establishment is firmly lining up behind Do – not Garden Grove Councilman Chris Phan.

Correa already had about $600K in his campaign war chest – but now he also has the support of the Orange County Employees Association (the OCEA) and he has the backing of two high profile Republicans – OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and OCDA Tony Rackauckas. Continue reading→

Seven AK-47’s found during traffic stop lead to two arrests

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Newport Beach, Orange County 2 Comments

AK-47 assault rifles

Newport Beach Police Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE #111814

Subject: Two Arrested for Firearms Charges

Contact : Jennifer Manzella, Press Information Officer, 949-644-3662, jmanzella@nbpd.org

On Friday, November 14, 2014 at approximately 8:48 pm, a Newport Beach Police Department Officer observed a green Dodge Caravan leaving a gas station near the intersection of Bristol Street South and Irvine Avenue with expired registration and an equipment violation. The officer conducted a vehicle stop for the listed violations, and contacted the two occupants of the vehicle (Cardiel and Gurule, listed above). The officer determined that Cardiel was driving on a suspended license and that Gurule was on probation. While being questioned, both suspects appeared extremely nervous.

Continue reading→