Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: January 2012

Councilwoman Martinez’ Assembly campaign eclipses $100,000 in fundraising

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, california, Democratic Party, Elections, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana 8 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2012

Contact: Lupe De La Cruz, Office: (714) 564-0130

Councilwoman Martinez Eclipses $100,000 Fundraising Mark

Santa Ana, California – Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez raised over $100,000 between announcing her campaign in September 2011 and December 31, 2011. The figure includes $15,700 in loans from Martinez.

“Michele has gained the early support of people from all walks of life and throughout Orange County,” said Campaign Manager Lupe De La Cruz. “We have focused on raising money locally and our grassroots campaign is gaining momentum with each passing day.” Continue reading→

The California Democratic Party rescinds Julio Perez’ endorsement!

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, Democratic Party, Elections, Julio Perez, Labor, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Ruh roh!  It looks like uber-liberal union hack Julio Perez DID NOT get the California Democratic Party endorsement after all.  Here is a press release from the California Democratic Party explaining why Perez FAILED:

To: Interested Parties
From: Chris Myers and Dennis Raj
Re: Assembly District 69 Pre-­‐Endorsement Conference Results
Date: January 27,2012

Preliminary results: Continue reading→

Santa Ana staff rejects Floral/Fisher Park NIMBYs’ demand to fence off trail

Posted on by Posted in Bicycles, Civic Affairs, Nature, Neighborhood Associations, Parks and Recreation, Paul Walters, Planning, Santa Ana 24 Comments

The Public Right of Way is 156 ft at its widest, runs 24 feet wide most of the length and the narrowest is 17 ft wide at Jack Fisher Park

The City of Santa Ana’s acting City Manager has made public a memo that is not good news for the Floral/Fisher Park NIMBY’s who want to fence off the unfinished Santiago Creek bike trail that runs through their neighborhood.  According to the memo, “Staff does not recommend fencing access to the area as it may result in other unintended consequences, such as creating a dead-end trail configuration and limiting access to the Police and Fire Departments, and will not be the most effective way of dealing with the issues raised by the neighbors.”

Here is the complete memo:

MEMORANDUM To: Paul Walters, Interim City Manager
Date: January 27, 2012
From: Mark Lawrence, Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Subject: OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUES RELATED TO A NEIGHBORHOOD REQUEST TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO THE FOOTPATH RUNNING BETWEEN JACK FISHER PARK AND THE CLASS I BICYCLE PATH THAT TERMINATES AT THE 5 FREEWAY Continue reading→

New OSHA classes now being held at CSUF and Taller San Jose, in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Education, Fullerton, Labor, Military, Santa Ana, Veterans Leave a comment

CSUDH OSHA classes are now being held in Orange County in partnership with California State University Fullerton, Environmental Health & Safety Department.  Most of the courses are being held at CSUF, others are being held at Taller San Jose, in Santa Ana.  10% discount to members of the military, unions, safety organizations, and veterans!  For questions, call 888-4LA-OSHA (888-452-6742) or e-mail osha@csudh.edu.

Classes include: Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana to host a community graffiti clean-up day on Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Entertainment, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana, Volunteer Leave a comment

Community: City of Santa Ana Scheduled to Host a Community Graffiti Clean-up Day

SANTA ANA, CA (January 11, 2012) – In promoting the City’s graffiti abatement efforts, Santa Ana Public Works in collaboration with residents, community volunteers/ organizations, and city contracted graffiti removal crews will host a Community Graffiti Clean-up Day, this Saturday, Jan. 28.

Frazee Paint / The Comex Group will provide “Take-Away” materials and supplies for the graffiti abatement efforts. The City contractor, Graffiti Protective Coatings, will provide five additional trucks at no additional cost to accomplish removal of graffiti from utility poles citywide. 7-Eleven is donating coffee and donuts along with water to keep the volunteers hydrated. The graffiti clean-up day will begin at the Memorial Park stage area and will proceed throughout the various surrounding neighborhoods. Continue reading→

SAPD to conduct a DUI checkpoint on Saturday, near 17th & Tustin

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 4 Comments

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, January 28th, 2012

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, January 28th, 2012. It will begin at 7:30PM and is scheduled to conclude at 1:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2000 E. 17th Street, in the City of Santa Ana (Editor’s Note: this is not too far from The Quill Lounge). Continue reading→

Great Park to host 2012 U.S. Dept. of Energy Solar Decathlon

Posted on by Posted in Energy, Federal Government, irvine, Orange County, Parks and Recreation 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 26, 2012
CONTACT: TIM SHAW, 949-724-6258
Great Park Selected as Site of U.S. Department of Energy 2013 Solar Decathlon

IRVINE – The United States Department of Energy today announced that the Orange County Great Park has been selected as the site for the 2013 Solar Decathlon. With the award, the Great Park will work with the Department of Energy to stage the event and showcase energy-efficient housing and clean energy technologies. Continue reading→

Sen. Correa to host free tax prep on Feb. 8, for low income taxpayers

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, Lou Correa, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

State Senator Lou Correa and State Controller John Chiang, in conjunction with the Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Orange County and Legal Aid Society of Orange County invite you to attend a free 2011 Income Tax Preparation for individuals and families, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program for taxpayers with annual incomes of $49,000 or less.

Learn more about how you may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit Program and other constituent services!  Wednesday, February 8, 2012, from 2pm to 7pm at the Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Orange County, located at 1920 Old Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Continue reading→

Moorlach wants to house the homeless in the old Santa Ana bus station

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Seniors, Transportation, Working Families 8 Comments

New Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach has challenged “officials from the city of Santa Ana over his plans to use a defunct bus station in the midst of Santa Ana’s downtown to feed, and potentially house, homeless people,” according to the Voice of OC.

Our County government has done a poor job of serving the homeless.  They freeze at night for lack of beds and four of them were killed in recent weeks by a serial killer.  But hasn’t the City of Santa Ana been impacted enough by this? Continue reading→

SAPD seeks public assistance in finding more victims of alleged rapist

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Request Media and publice assistance an identifying additinal victims in serial rape case. Suspect in custody.

Arrestee: Jose Luis Capacete, Age 39, 5’7”, 145, thin build, blk/brn, short hair
Vehicle(s): Chrysler, Town and Country, 2001, dark green mini van, license plate #5KSM113. Honda Accord, black, 4-Door, 1997, license plate #6GMX802

SYNOPSIS: On 12-24-11, Capacete picked up a female on Harbor Blvd, in the City of Santa Ana. Once the victim was inside Capacete’s vehicle, Capacete produced a handgun and a taser. The victim’s hands were tied behind her back and she was sexually assaulted in the van. Evidence left at the scene led detectives to investigate suspect Capacete. A search warrant was performed at the suspects residence in the city of Baldwin Park where items were recovered as evidence leading detectives to believe that there are additional victims. To date two of the additional victims have been identified and detectives are following up. Continue reading→

KOCE’s Real Orange to feature the Santiago Creek bike trail controversy

Posted on by Posted in Bicycles, Family, Nature, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Southern California’s PBS TV station, KOCE , is airing a story this Friday night about the controversy regarding the pending completion of the bike trail in Santiago Creek.  A group of residents in Santa Ana’s Fisher Park Neighborhood are trying to stop the bike trail and are advocating for having the area fenced off from the public.  The KOCE feature will present both sides of this story.

KOCE is going to air this segment on Thursday night at 5:00pm and 11:30pm on “Real Orange” on PBS SoCal, and it will be  repeated on Sunday night at 5:00pm and 11:30pm. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez responds to Pres. Obama’s State of the Union Speech

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Federal Government, Loretta Sanchez, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 47th Congressional District
PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT: Adrienne Watson 202-309-0825

SANCHEZ STATEMENT ON STATE OF THE UNION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) released the following statement after President Obama’s State of the Union speech tonight.

“Tonight the President outlined his vision for our great country. I was glad a majority of his speech focused on our economy and the changes we must implement in order to get us back on track. A growing divide exists within our middle class, and this divide will continue until we implement real reform to our tax structure – both for families and for corporations. We must put into place a fair tax structure that eliminates tax breaks for the top two percent of income earners – the rich must pay their fair share. Continue reading→

No Gustavo, Michele Martinez and I did not sell out to Miguel Pulido

Posted on by Posted in 2006 Elections, 2008 Elections, 2010 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Carlos Bustamante, Claudia Alvarez, Dave Ream, Democratic Party, Elections, Julio Perez, Latinos, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 14 Comments

The OC Weekly’s Gustavo Arellano is a huge fan of far-left Democrat Julio Perez – one of four Democrats vying for the 69th Assembly District.  That’s fine.  What is not cool is Gustavo’s continued allegation that Santa Ana Council Woman Michele Martinez “sold out” to Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.  That is not just untrue – it is complete B.S.

The reality is that Martinez was elected to Ward 2 on the Santa Ana City Council by running AGAINST Pulido’s handpicked candidate, the useless Tino Rivera (a Republican who switched to the Democratic Party for that race).  That was a tough race – Martinez was unknown and vastly underfunded.  The other candidates included a Com Link Board Member, Evangeline Gawronski, who ran a credible campaign; a candidate, Tish Leon, who took out a loan on her house; and Rivera.  Martinez punked them all, garnering 32.6% of the vote, according to Smart Voter.

Think about it – Martinez began her career in politics by taking out Pulido’s handpicked lame candidate.  This is a sell out?  Really? Continue reading→

John Wayne Airport announces 22nd student art contest winners

Posted on by Posted in Airplanes, Arts and Culture, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2012

Contact: Jenny Wedge, (949) 252-5182 (office), jwedge@ocair.com

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 22ND ANNUAL STUDENT ART CONTEST

SANTA ANA, Calif. – John Wayne Airport has announced the winners of its 22nd Annual Student Art Contest themed “Silent Flight.” Jasmyne Kon and Alexander Kang received top honors as Grand Prize winners in this year’s contest.

Winning art work illustrated the artist’s vision of “Silent Flight.” Continue reading→

The O.C. Railroad Crossing safety enhancement program is now complete

Posted on by Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jan. 23, 2012

Orange County Railroad Crossing Safety Enhancement Program is Now Complete!

Local elected officials, project city staff and OCTA celebrate the successful completion of the
Railroad Crossing Safety Enhancement Program with special “No Train Horn” signs for cities with established quiet zones.

OCTA is excited to announce that all work for the Railroad Crossing Safety Enhancement Program is now complete! Continue reading→