Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: January 2012

Walmart not planning to fill the Food for Less vacancy in NE Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Business, Development, Planning, Santa Ana 14 Comments

Walmart is opening two new stores in Orange County, in Irvine and in Huntington Beach, according to the O.C. Register.  Walmart also recently opened a new superstore in Anaheim.  But there is no truth to the rumor that they are planning to open a store at the vacancy created when Food for Less closed their store in northeast Santa Ana, on Grand and 17th, according to Karen Haluza, a Planning Manager at the City of Santa Ana.

Haluza confirmed via email that there are in fact no current applications to fill that vacancy. Continue reading→

Press conference regarding alleged homeless killer, Itzcoatl Ocampo, on 1/17

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, homeless, Lawyers, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: January 16, 2012
Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TONY RACKAUCKAS: MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO: Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas, and representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Anaheim Police Department, Placentia Police Department, and Brea/Yorba Linda Police Department.

Continue reading→

Exhibit X at the ARTery closing exhibition on Jan. 28

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact – Michael Ziobrowski, 714.862.7894

January 28, 2012 (COSTA MESA, CALIF) – X Is The Weapon presents “EXHIBIT X at the ARTery – CLOSING NIGHT”
a group exhibition showcasing the intersection of Art & Music Culture.

The closing reception will take place at the ARTery on the grounds of the LAB anti-mall in Costa Mesa, CA from 6-11pm. Continue reading→

Volunteer opportunities in Orange County, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Churches and Religion, Orange County, Santa Ana, Volunteer Leave a comment

“On Monday we honor the life and work of a great man, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said U.S. Rep. Sanchez in a press release issued yesterday. “Most importantly we reflect on the ideals of equality and justice which Dr. King championed. Dr. King believed that all people are created equal and he challenged our nation to ensure justice under law for everyone, regardless of the color of their skin. He asked Americans to bridge barriers and work together to help each other succeed.

“Let us honor Dr. King by working to strengthen our communities. Dr. King was a significant champion for volunteering and giving back to our communities, therefore I urge you to join me in honoring his legacy by helping your neighbors and those less fortunate. Through our actions, the work of Dr. King lives on.”

Now in its 13th year, community members can make their “day off” a “day on” with a Day of Service. Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through meaningful service. This year OneOC  will partner with local agencies to offer volunteer opportunities that address critical community issues. There is no better time to get involved and make a difference!

Continue reading→

Occupy Orange County to target our courts on Friday, Jan. 20

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Occupy Orange County, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Just when we thought the Occupy movement in Orange County was dead, or at least on its way out, it is back.  Apparently there is going to me a national protest at over 200 courthouses on Jan. 20 (the press release is below), including Santa Ana, the Orange County seat, which has federal and state courts, as well as a federal appeal court.

Occupy’s main beef this time is a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down those provisions of the McCain–Feingold Act that prohibited all corporations, both for-profit and not-for-profit, and unions from broadcasting “electioneering communications. Continue reading→

Sign up now for Santa Ana Little League’s Spring Baseball

Posted on by Posted in Baseball, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities Leave a comment

It’s time to play ball in Santa Ana – spring Little League baseball teams are forming now!  There are four Little Leagues in Santa Ana: Northeast, Northwest, Santiago, Southeast and Southwest.  The last three leagues don’t have websites but you can click here to get contact info for each of them, from California Little League, District 30.

“A growing body of research is showing the social and economic benefits of participation in youth sports to be surprisingly large and overwhelmingly positive. Other things being equal, if a kid plays sports, he will earn more money, stay in school longer, and be more engaged in civic life,” according to The American.

Here is the sign-up info for Northeast Santa Ana Little League (click here for the online Northwest sign-up info): Continue reading→

Grand reopening of El Centro Cultural de Mexico starts at 5 pm tonight

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Dance, Education, Entertainment, Latinos, mexico, music, Native Americans, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Come Celebrate the Grand Reopening of El Centro de México in our new space in Downtown, Santa Ana!

El Centro has a new home, located on 313 N. Birch Street the Veterans Hall Building, where we will continue offering multiple of free classes, workshops, programs, and lectures. We invite the community Saturday, January 14th to celebrate with us the Grand Re-Opening of El Centro Cultural de Mexico. Starting at 5 PM there will be a showcase of all our programming and later in the evening at 8 PM a Baile and Fandango. Continue reading→

Reward offered by the SAPD for wanted gang homicide suspects

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Paul Walters, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: WANTED HOMICIDE SUSPECT & UNSOLVED 2011 GANG HOMICIDES

The Santa Ana Police Department Gang Unit investigated six gang related homicides in 2011. Four of the six homicides were solved with a total of seventeen suspects arrested. Two cases remain unsolved and one suspect remains at large. The Santa Ana Police Department offers up to $50,000 for information on gang-related homicides and assaults resulting in the arrest of the suspects. Continue reading→

Revenge has driven Amezcua ally Barragan to run for the 69th A.D.

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Elections, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana, UMAVA (United Mexican-American Veterans Assoc.) 9 Comments

Santa Ana resident Francisco J. Barragan is finally getting the chance to avenge his pal Alfredo Amezcua’s brutal loss to Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido in 2010.  Barragan announced yesterday at the Orange County Young Democrats meeting that he is “entering the 69th Assembly District race,” according to the Liberal OC blog.

“After seeing the other candidates I think I have something unique to offer,” Barragan told the Liberal OC. “I wanted to have all the pieces of my campaign in place before announcing, but this meeting pushed up my announcement.” Continue reading→

Councilwoman Michele Martinez’ Assembly campaign kick-off set for Jan. 14

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Elections, Entertainment, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana, Volunteer 5 Comments

Santa Ana Council Woman Michele Martinez, the leading candidate for the 69th Assembly District, has announced the grand opening of her campaign office and a Volunteer Precinct Walk Kick-Off, on Saturday, January 14, from 9 am to 2 pm.  Here are the details:

Please join Team Martinez for a Campaign Office and Volunteer Precinct Walk Kick-Off On Saturday, January 14, 2012, 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

  • Welcome and Program: 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
  • Volunteer Precinct Training: 10:00 A.M.- 10:20 A.M.
  • Precinct Walking: 10:30 A.M.- 2: 00 P.M.
  • Barbeque and Entertainment: 2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Continue reading→

Update: SAPD to shut down the Santa Ana Culture Carnival

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

UPDATE: The organizers of this event failed to pull a permit from the City of Santa Ana.  Our sources report that the event is going to be shut down as the venue is not zoned for this use.

An art show, a concert, a warehouse party. Whatever you want to call it, it doesn’t matter, because on January the 13th, from 7 pm to 2 am, there will be a building in Santa Ana filled with everything necessary for an unforgettable night. Great bands, and some of the best up and coming artists (local and international) will be on display. There will be food, there will be drink, there will be live screen printing and live graffiti being created by the best LA has to offer.

This will set a new precedent for what you expect from an event. Once you go to your first, you will always be waiting for the next.  Culture Carnival.  At 2710 S. Shannon St., in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Solorio tries to slow the demise of redevelopment agencies

Posted on by Posted in Democratic Party, Jose Solorio, Politics, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 5 Comments

For Immediate Release: January 12, 2012
For More Information Contact: Carol Chamberlain – office: (916) 319-2069, mobile: (916) 804-5355

State Assemblyman Solorio Co-Authors Legislation to Slow Down Demise of Redevelopment Agencies
Huge need for affordable housing and local economic development tools justifies urgency legislation

SACRAMENTO – State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), in an effort to wind down redevelopment agencies in a deliberate and responsible way and to not force them to immediately liquidate assets, has signed on to urgency legislation that would accomplish those feats. Continue reading→

SAPD DUI/License checkpoint this Friday at 1500 E. McFadden

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Entertainment, Public Safety, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Thursday January 12, 2012, 10:55 AM
Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, January 13th, 2011. It will begin at 7:30P

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, January 13th, 2011. It will begin at 7:30PM and is scheduled to conclude at 1:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 1500 E. McFadden Avenue, in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Correa announces new 2012 state laws

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Lou Correa, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Below is a list of the new state laws that took effect on January 1, 2012, courtesy of State Senator Lou Correa.

  • Towing & Impounding Cars: New legislation requires that when a car is stopped at a sobriety checkpoint and the only offense of the driver is being unlicensed, that “authorities make a reasonable attempt to identify the licensed and registered owner of the vehicle” and release the car to the licensed and registered owner or “to a licensed driver authorized by the vehicle’s registered owner.” If the licensed and registered owner or the licensed authorized driver are not available, the law allows authorities to remove the vehicle and the registered owner can retrieve the vehicle with proof of a valid driver’s license the following day. The implementation of this law will vary by jurisdiction. Continue reading→