New Santa Ana

Mother ruled sane when she tried to kill her two kids by stabbing them while they slept

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Westminster Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 09WF1952

Date: November 3, 2014

MOTHER FOUND SANE FOR PREMEDITATING AND DELIBERATELY CARRYING OUT ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HER TWO YOUNG CHILDREN BY STABBING THEM WHILE THEY WERE ASLEEP

*Previous jury found her guilty of attempted murders

SANTA ANA – A mother was found by a jury Friday to have been sane and had premeditated and deliberately carried out the attempted murder of her two young children by stabbing them while they were asleep. Thuy Thi Le, 43, Westminster, was found guilty by a jury Feb. 4, 2014, of two felony counts each of attempted murder, and child abuse and endangerment with sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a deadly weapon and committing great bodily injury. This case was a retrial of the sentencing enhancement for premeditation and deliberation related to her attempted murder conviction as a former jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, finding 11 to one for the sentencing enhancement to be true. A unanimous jury found the sentencing enhancement to be true on Oct. 27, 2014, which makes the punishment an indeterminate “to life” sentence. Le faces a maximum sentence of two life sentences plus five years in state prison at her sentencing Jan. 16, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-39, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

LAPD officer charged with lewd acts with a girl and exposing himself in Huntington Beach

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Huntington Beach 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

November 5, 2014

Case # 14WF4144

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF LAPD OFFICER ARRESTED ON CHARGES FOR ATTEMPTED LEWD ACT WITH 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND INDECENT EXPOSURE TO FIVE FEMALE VICTIMS

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) and the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) are seeking potential additional victims of a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer arrested on charges for attempting to commit a lewd act with a 12-year-old girl and indecent exposure to five female victims in Huntington Beach. Ryan Eric Galliher, 33, Huntington Beach, is charged with one felony count of attempted lewd act upon a child under 14 years old, one felony count of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a lewd act, five misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, and one misdemeanor count of engaging in lewd conduct. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. Galliher is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 5, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster.

At the time of the crimes, Galliher was employed as an officer with the LAPD. Continue reading→

Two elderly pedestrians struck by an OCTA bus in Downtown Santa Ana

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, OCTA, Santa Ana, Seniors Leave a comment

Photo courtesy of Anthony Bertagna, SAPD

Two elderly pedestrians were hospitalized after being hit by an OCTA bus in Santa Ana around 6:30 pm, on Wednesday, at the intersection of 4th and Ross streets, according to Anthony Bertagna with the Santa Ana Police Department, according to KABC.

One of the victims, described as a man in his 70s, was in critical condition with head trauma, and his female companion, a woman in her 60s was in serious condition but expected to survive, according to Bertagna, as reported by KTLA. Continue reading→

Poll – who should replace Janet Nguyen in the First Supervisorial District?

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2015 Elections, Janet Nguyen, Lou Correa, Orange County, Santa Ana 6 Comments

[poll id=”15″]

Janet Nguyen’s victory this week in the race for the 34th State Senate District means that she is going to vacate her seat in the First District of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, in January.

What this means is that there will be a Special Election, probably in February, to replace Nguyen.

I ran into Lou Correa at Sal Tinajero’s Election Night Party and he said he was definitely running. But there are going to be quite a few other candidates and as I understand it this will be a winner takes all election. Continue reading→

The SAPD is seeking help in identifying man who robbed a Wells Fargo Bank

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Robbery Detectives Request Public Assistance in Identifying Suspect in Bank Robbery

Location: Wells Fargo Bank 3925 South Bristol Street

Suspect Description: Male, Black, 25-31 years old, 5’7”, wearing a grey beanie and grey sweat pants

Details: On November 5, 2014 at 12:07pm the suspect entered the Wells Fargo Bank at 3925 South Bristol Street. Once inside the suspect handed a note to a teller demanding money from her cash drawer. The teller complied with the suspect’s demand and gave him an undetermined amount of US currency from her cash drawer. The suspect fled the bank on foot. Continue reading→

Why Quirk-Silva and Solorio lost in the 2014 General Election

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Democratic Party, Fullerton, Janet Nguyen, Jose Solorio, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

By the OC Politics Blog

Orange County Democrats were ecstatic when former Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva knocked off Chris Norby in 2012, in the 65th Assembly District. They partied hard but the party is over now that former Ed Royce staffer Young Kim has trounced Quirk-Silva in the 2014 General Election.

This was not a casual loss for the Democrats. It may well end up costing them their super majority in the State Assembly – an uncertain matter as several Assembly seats are still in close contention.

Make no doubt about it – retaining the 65th Assembly District was the major goal of the Democratic Party of Orange County in the 2014 General Election. They failed – and there are several good reasons for that. Continue reading→

A look at the final Santa Ana voting results in the 2014 General Election

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Alex Padilla, David Benavides, David Cavazos, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Roman Reyna, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, SAUSD 3 Comments

Mayor Pulido’s daughter kept tabs on the election results on Election Night

I met with Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido last night at his Election Night Party. He was relieved that he was winning but was worried he wouldn’t garner more than 50% of the vote. His 11-year-old daughter was checking the election results on her IPad last night. She has quite an interest in politics – and perhaps she will be running for office after she finishes college.

Pulido ended up with 50.7% of the vote while his challenger Roman Reyna only mustered 6,778 votes, or 33.6% of the vote. The unknown third mayoral candidate, Mark I. Lopez, netted 15.8% of the vote – likely from those who couldn’t bear voting for the other two candidates.

The bad news for Pulido was that his team of City Council challengers – Alex Padilla, Mike Gonzalez and Mirna Velasquez, all lost. If there is any good news it is that the incumbent who did the worst was David Benavides. While his colleague Michele Martinez got less votes than Benavides she had three opponents while Benavides squared off against one challenger – Padilla. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s incumbents leading in the 2014 General Election early returns

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Adam Nick, Alex Padilla, David Benavides, Gilad Salmon, Janet Nguyen, John Palacio, Jose Solorio, Loretta Sanchez, Lou Correa, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Mike Gonzalez, Mirna Velasquez, Politics, Rene Gomez, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Shuntele Andrews 6 Comments

The early returns are in with regard to today’s General Election. So far the incumbents are leading in all of the Santa Ana City Council races. It is early yet but in what should prove to be a low turnout election this first batch of votes can foreshadow the evening’s results. These are the early absentee votes – representing the most frequent voters.

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido is thoroughly trouncing Councilman Roman Reyna, with over 52% of the vote versus only 32% of the vote for Reyna. Clearly Reyna’s campaign was undone by his unwise decision to hang out with gang bangers.

In Ward 2 the incumbent, Michele Martinez, is leading with 53.8% of the vote in a crowded field. Shockingly Gilad Salmon is in second place with 21.3 % of the vote. Not surprisingly the sole Republican in the race, salsa dancer Rene Gomez, is in dead last with 9% of the vote. Continue reading→

U.S. Rep. Sanchez to host an Election Night Watch Party in Anaheim

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Anaheim, Democratic Party, Loretta Sanchez, Politics Leave a comment

U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez is hosting an Election Night Watch Party on Nov. 4, 2014, starting after the polls close at 8 pm.

Join Team Sanchez as they watch election night returns come in. They will have tacos made at the event.

Location: At Campaign Headquarters Continue reading→

Halloween hit and run driver is facing only 17 years in prison

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Jaquinn Bell, 31, Orange, was charged today with three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, one felony count of hit and run with permanent injury or death, one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license, with sentencing enhancements for personally inflicting great bodily injury, and fleeing the scene of a crime after committing a vehicular manslaughter.

If convicted Bell faces a maximum sentence of only 17 years in prison. The People will request today that he be held on $1 million dollars bail at his arraignment today. Continue reading→

Memorial fund set up by the City for the families of the Halloween hit and run victims

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Charities, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana 2 Comments

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: CITY OF SANTA ANA ESTABLISHES MEMORIAL FUND TO BENEFIT THE FAMILIES OF LEXI AND LEXANDRA PEREZ AND ANDREA GONZALEZ

SANTA ANA, CA (November 4, 2014) – Many concerned employees and residents have expressed interest in donating to the families of Lexi and Lexandra Perez and Andrea Gonzalez. In response to this, the City has set up a memorial fund to help the families of the three victims.

PAYROLL DEDUCTION: Employees have the option to donate directly from their paycheck with either a lump sum or extended donations for one month, two months or longer. To donate directly from your paycheck, please contact Payroll. Continue reading→

Team Pulido to host an Election Night Party tonight at The Robbins Nest

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Alex Padilla, Elections, Miguel Pulido, Mike Gonzalez, Mirna Velasquez, Politics, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Team Pulido is hosting an Election Night Party on Nov. 4, 2014, starting at 8:30 pm, at The Robbins Nest, in Downtown Santa Ana, at 214 N. Sycamore St.

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido has provided considerable support to City Council challengers Mirna Velasquez, Alex Padilla and Mike Gonzalez. All of them will be at the Election Night Party tonight. Continue reading→

SAPD police officers chase a homicide suspect who ends up crashing in Anaheim

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Anaheim, Crime, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Homicide Investigation Leads to Pursuit and Fiery Crash

TUSTIN, Calif. – (November 4, 2014) – On Monday, November 3, 2014 at approximately 7:00 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 18400 block of Warren Avenue for a report of a shooting. Deputies arrived and discovered a female adult, suffering from a gunshot wound. The female victim was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced deceased. Homicide investigators responded and initiated an investigation of the incident.

During the preliminary stages of the homicide investigation, information was learned involving a white SUV vehicle that may have been related to the shooting. Information about the vehicle, license plate and connection to the homicide, was provided to neighboring law enforcement agencies. The Santa Ana Police Department located and attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle. The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued, terminating with a single vehicle collision with a wall on North Rio Vista Street at East Frontera Street in the city of Anaheim. The vehicle erupted into flames on impact with the wall, killing the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Continue reading→

SAUSD School Board candidate Andrews to host an Election Night Party

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Shuntele Andrews Leave a comment

Former Valley High School Teacher Shuntele Andrews, a leading candidate for the SAUSD School Board, is hosting an Election Night Party on Nov. 4, 2014, starting at 7 pm.

The event is sponsored by the Santa Ana Educators’ Association and will be held at 2107 N. Broadway, Suite 305, in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Weedmaps.com tries to split the vote on Measure CC in Santa Ana

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Drugs, Marijuana, Politics, Santa Ana 13 Comments

Orange county NORML and California Cannabis Coalition members stand with patients for Yes on CC

Orange County NORML and California Cannabis Coalition members stand with patients for Yes on CC

Weedmaps.com Tries to Split Vote on Measure CC in Santa Ana

By Craig Beresch, California Cannabis Coalition

Tomorrow, the voters of Santa Ana, CA will be faced with two choices: Vote for Measure CC, a citizen promoted initiative, or vote for Measure BB, a City Council initiative promoted and paid for by a murky organization named Ghost Management Group LLC.

Ghost Management Group LLC’s financial support and backing of the City Council’s measure can be seen in the Form 460 filed with election officials and shown here as a pdf file. You can see that Ghost Management Group LLC is listed as operating at 41 Discovery in Irvine, CA. Now, put the following URL in your browser http://justinhartfield.me/. At that link you can see Mr. Justin Ross Hartfield, the Chief Executive Officer of Weedmaps.com and General Partner at “Ghost Group, a holding company of various marijuana assets”. Note that he and his companies are located in Irvine, CA. Continue reading→

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