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!

266 OC couples married on Valentine’s Day!

Posted on by Posted in Hugh Nguyen, OC Clerk-Recorder, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Old OC Courthouse

Hugh Nguyen, OC Clerk-Recorder
For Immediate Release Feb. 14, 2014
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500

266 Couples Married on Valentine’s Day!

A record number of couples – 266 – were married this Valentine’s Day in civil ceremonies performed by Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen and his Deputy Clerks at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department’s three marriage locations – breaking the long standing Valentine’s Day record of 173 couples wed in 1997.

Ceremony rooms were available at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at the department’s branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills. This year, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen extended operating hours for all three marriage locations in an effort to accommodate the anticipated high demand. Continue reading→

DTSA’s Memphis closes with a scare as a guy pulls a knife

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, David Benavides, Phil Bacerra, Santa Ana Leave a comment

20140206_204845

The Memphis at the Santora partied one last time last night, as they are closing down.  But the night ended ominously as a suspect pulled a knife on David Hastie, a partner at the Memphis, which is located in Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA).

David wrote about this on his Facebook page – see the comments in the pictures below.  Apparently David manned up and took the knife away from the suspect.  David called the SAPD and he is pressing charges against the miscreant.  And good news – David wasn’t hurt although I am sure his nerves were frazzled. Continue reading→

Is a major harassment scandal involving female cops brewing at the SAPD?

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Rojas, Santa Ana 7 Comments

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I got a tip yesterday from an anonymous source who said that the Santa Ana Police Department is dealing with a harassment scandal that will dwarf what happened when former Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante got arrested after allegedly harassing women at his workplace at the County of Orange.

According to my source, a female SAPD commander was locked out of the SAPD HQ after numerous complaints about her behavior with other female cops. Continue reading→

The SAUSD announces their Classified Employees of the Year

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD 1 Comment

SAUSD Classified Employees of the Year

The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) has announced their Classified Employees of the Year, as follows: Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities: Juan Guerrero – Plant Custodian at Community Day School; Office and Technical: Luis Prado – Computer Technician at Valley High School; Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance: Rosa Ramirez – Instructional Assistant Special Education at Diamond Elementary School; and Support Services and Security: Anne Le – Translator Interpreter for the English Learner Programs. Continue reading→

The SAUSD is seeking Measure G Bond Oversight Committee members

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

sausd logo

SAUSD Seeks Bond Oversight Committee Members

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Education for the Santa Ana Unified School District seeks applications to fill a total of six seats on the Bond Oversight Committee.The purpose of the Bond Oversight Committee is to oversee the expenditure of Measure G funds and to communicate its findings to the Board and the public in order to promote the proper expenditure of school bond funds as voters intended and the efficient completion of projects. Continue reading→

Irvine Police are looking for a pervert who exposed himself to two girls

Posted on by Posted in Crime, irvine Leave a comment

Irvine Child Annoyance Suspect

City of Irvine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE #2/13/2014

Subject: Irvine Police Seek Suspect of Child Annoyance and Indecent Exposure

Contact : Julia Engen, Lieutenant 949-724-7112, jengen@cityofirvine.org

IRVINE, CA (February 13, 2014) Wednesday night, the Irvine Police Department received information that two 15-year-old girls were approached while walking home from school earlier in the day near West Yale Loop and Warner Avenue. The girls separated at approximately 3:20 p.m. as the first victim walked into her residential area. The suspect pulled up to the curb in a dark sedan and motioned for her to approach the car through his closed passenger window. The girl did not approach and continued into her home. Continue reading→

Alex Flores wants everyone to own a pair of his Unum Sunglasses

Posted on by Posted in Business, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Loretta Sanchez Unum

Santa Ana resident Alex Flores started his new business, Unum Sunglasses, almost on a whim when he realized he wanted to be able to say, when asked what he does, that he is a business owner.  Recently Flores took another leap of faith, quitting his day job to be able to spend all his time selling Unum sunglasses.

Flores has a small office in Downtown Santa Ana.  We met recently to talk about his business venture over coffee at the Gypsy Den Café.  (My favorite is their Dirty Chai – a combination of Chai Tea and Espresso). Continue reading→

Things to do in and around Santa Ana on Valentine’s Day 2014

Posted on by Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Green Parrot Valentine's Dinner

The OCTA’s Measure M is on track according to a new independent review

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

Measure M

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Measure M On Track, Independent Review Finds

Half-cent sales tax is driving force behind local transportation improvements

ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee has determined that Measure M is being delivered as promised to Orange County voters for the 23rd consecutive year.

The committee held its annual Measure M public hearing this week and unanimously found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the ordinances that were approved by voters first in 1990 and renewed in 2006. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez tries desperately to sign OC residents up for ObamaCare

Posted on by Posted in Health and Medical, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

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

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2014

MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, 202-731-7627, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ FOCUSES ON GETTING OC COVERED WITH IN PERSON ENROLLMENT

Garden Grove, Calif. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today led a rally in Santa Ana launching “Countdown to Enroll OC,” her effort to connect Orange County residents with certified, in person bilingual health insurance enrollment services through Covered California.

“Covered California’s enrollment deadline, March 31st, is a big day that’s less than fifty days from now,” said Rep. Sanchez. “That’s why I’m launching the Countdown to Enroll OC. From now until March 31st, I will be doing everything I can to connect Orange County residents with in person, bilingual enrollment support. We are putting the emphasis on signing up in person, right here, right now.” Continue reading→

Inmate who shot a 67-year old Santa Ana woman denied parole

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

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2014

PAROLE DENIED FOR INMATE CONVICTED OF KILLING 67-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN 2000 DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

SANTA ANA – The Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, denied parole for a man convicted of killing a 67-year-old woman in a drive-by shooting in 2000. Carlos Eduardo Sanchez, 30, is currently being held at Calipatria State Prison, Calipatria. Sanchez was sentenced Sept. 20, 2002, to 15 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty of one felony count of second degree murder. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Sonia Balleste.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Olivieri was present to oppose Sanchez’s parole. The inmate will be eligible for his next parole hearing in 2019. Continue reading→

Deadline to comment on the City’s 5-Year Strategic Plan set for 2/14

Posted on by Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Strategic Planning Forum

City of Santa Ana

Community Reminder: Deadline to Submit Comment on 5-year Strategic Plan Draft is Friday, 2/14/14 at 5 PM

SANTA ANA, CA (February 13, 2014) – The Santa Ana Mayor and City Council are in the process of developing a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan to guide our city towards the future. A copy of the draft document has been posted online. In order to better serve our community, the draft document is available for review in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Everyone is encouraged to read the document and to provide comment online at http://www.santa-ana.org/strategic-planning/community-overview/comments.asp. Continue reading→

SigAlert issued on Eastbound 17th after a lady drives into a tree and dies

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Santa Ana Leave a comment
Not the same incident but this was a similar one

Not the same incident but this was a similar one

At 11:16 AM, SAPD officers were dispatched to a possible fatal traffic collision near the intersection of 17th and Newhope, according to an SAPD press release.

The collision involved a single vehicle being driven by a female adult (60’s) which struck a tree in the center median.

The SAPD has issued a SigAlert for Eastbound 17th street Newhope to Harbor Blvd until further notice. Continue reading→

Boys and Girls Club’s Youth of the Year wins a scholarship and recognition

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment
Liz Cruz, Jesse Barrios, and Martha Trejo and Daisy Monjaras

Liz Cruz, Jesse Barrios, and Martha Trejo and Daisy Monjaras

Every year, the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana sets out to find a well-respected, well-rounded, morally strong, and academically focused Club member to represent the organization as their Youth of the Year.

The stakes were high this year, their panel of judges had to choose only one winner from the five highly qualified teen finalists.

They are proud to announce Daisy Monjaras, a 17-year-old Club member, who has a great moral compass, strong communication skills, and a passionate heart, was selected as this year’s Youth of the Year! Continue reading→

Win great prizes at the OC Fair Imaginology Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead competitions

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Education Leave a comment

Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead

MEDIA/PRESS CONTACT: Robin Wachner, Communications Dept., OC Fair & Event Center, (714) 708-154

OC Fair Imaginology Event Challenges Students to Go “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead” With Free Competitions

Entry deadline is March 21. Open to children grades pre-K to 12.

Costa Mesa, Calif. (February 11, 2014) – The OC Fair & Event Center’s Imaginology event is challenging local students to demonstrate their abilities in the S.T.E.A.M. curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) with a variety of free competitions. All entries need to be registered online at ocfair.com/steam by Friday, March 21, 2014. All qualified entries will be on public display during the Imaginology event April 11-13 and all division winners will receive cash awards.

The Imaginology free contests and projects offered this year include: Continue reading→