New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: February 2014

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

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

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 February 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Santa Ana Leave a comment

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 February 12, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

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 February 12, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Education Leave a comment

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→

OC Clerk-Recorder to team up with the Globetrotters on Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, OC Clerk-Recorder, Orange County, Santa Ana, Sports Leave a comment

Thunder Law

Hugh Nguyen, Orange County Clerk-Recorder
NEWS RELEASE, For Immediate Release Feb. 11, 2014
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500

Harlem Globetrotters and Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen Team Up to Spread the Love on Valentine’s Day

Harlem Globetrotters superstars Wun Versher and Thunder Law will be visiting the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s marriage unit at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana on Valentine’s Day from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Globetrotters will be helping Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen host this year’s Valentine’s Day event.

The Globetrotters will be passing out red roses and welcoming couples looking to “tie the knot” on this special Valentine’s Day. Clerk-Recorder staff has been working hard to ensure that customers experience a memorable wedding day. Continue reading→

Garden Grove man convicted of execution-style murder of Stanton pair

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA, Stanton Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10ZF0087: February 11, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF EXECUTION-STYLE DOUBLE MURDER OF STANTON SALES ASSOCIATE AND SECRETARY

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of the double-murder of a Stanton sales associate and his longtime secretary. Hilbert Pineil Thomas, 42, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of two felony counts of special circumstances murder for multiple murders, murder during the commission of robbery, and murder during the commission of burglary. He was also found guilty of one felony count each of second degree robbery, second degree commercial burglary, and the unlawful taking of a vehicle. Continue reading→

Charter School Board Member charged with stealing a record $750K

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # TBA: February 11, 2014

BOARD MEMBER CHARGED WITH STEALING $750,000 IN LARGEST CHARTER SCHOOL THEFT IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY

SANTA ANA – A former board member for a charter school district has been charged with stealing $750,000 in the largest charter school theft in California history. Jeremy Landau, 43, Sherman Oaks, is charged with 13 felony counts of money laundering, two felony counts of misappropriation of public funds, and one felony count of conflict of interest in a sale and purchase, with sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing over $100,000 in loss, property loss over $200,000, and fraudulent transactions over $150,000. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 14 years and eight months in state prison. Landau is being held on $750,000 bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He is expected to be arraigned Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Judge rules that Pham’s alleged killers must stand trial on murder charges

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 2 Comments

A judge has ruled that two women will stand trial on murder charges in connection with the death of a 23-year-old woman left unconscious and fatally injured after a fight outside a Santa Ana nightclub, according to the O.C. Register.

A judge ruled there was enough evidence to try Vanesa Zavala and Candace Brito. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death last month of Annie Hung Kim Pham, according to the S.F. Chronicle. Continue reading→

OCDA to oppose parole of man who killed a Santa Ana grandma in a drive-by

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2014

OCDA TO OPPOSE PAROLE OF INMATE CONVICTED OF KILLING 67-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN 2000 DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

SANTA ANA – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas is opposing the parole of a man convicted of murdering a 67-year-old Santa Ana 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. Sanchez is scheduled for a parole hearing tomorrow, Feb. 11, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. at the prison before the Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Olivieri will appear at the hearing to oppose Sanchez’s parole. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez to host an ObamaCare/Covered California rally on Feb. 13

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Health and Medical, Loretta Sanchez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

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

ADVISORY, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2014

MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, 202-226-8373, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ TO HOST COVERED CA RALLY LAUNCHING ‘COUNTDOWN TO ENROLL OC’

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) will host a rally with Covered California’s Executive Director Peter Lee launching “Countdown to Enroll OC,” her effort to connect Orange County residents with certified, in person bilingual health insurance enrollment services through Covered California this Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. PST at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC), 1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard, Santa Ana, CA 92701-2690. Continue reading→

ObamaCare event to be held in Santa Ana on Feb. 11 at Latino Health Access

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Health and Medical, Santa Ana Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2014

Media Contact: Press@BarackObama.com

OFA-CA Volunteers Holding Event to Encourage Local Community Members to “Be Covered on the 1st”

Millions of Americans Already Benefiting from Affordable Care Act

Santa Ana, CA – This Tuesday, February 11, local OFA volunteers will be taking part in a national day of action to make sure fellow community members have the tools and information they need to get enrolled in quality, affordable health insurance.

Millions of Americans are enrolling in health coverage through the new health insurance marketplace that fits their budgets and covers their needs, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. There is still time to sign up, and OFA is dedicated to having the one-on-one conversations with neighbors, friends and family members that help them get the information they need to enroll. Continue reading→

Details about the vicious murder of Kim Pham emerge at preliminary hearing

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Vietnamese 21 Comments

Candace Brito, 27, and Vanesa Zavala, 25, appeared at a preliminary hearing as Pham’s family member wore buttons with the victim’s likeness. Both women had pleaded not guilty to murder, according to KTLA. A judge will decide if there is enough evidence to send two women to trial on charges they stomped and kicked a 23-year-old woman to death in a fight outside a popular California nightclub.

Patricia Navarro, a veteran Santa Ana homicide detective, said a witness reported seeing Vanesa Tapia Zavala, 25, join in a fight that started with a verbal altercation. Zavala and Candace Marie Brito, 27, both office workers from Santa Ana, have pleaded not guilty to murder charges, according to the OC Register. Continue reading→

Bingo Nights to support local artists set for Monday nights at Chapter One

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Charities, Entertainment, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Chapter One: the Modern Local is hosting Bingo Nights on Mondays in February, in their Red Room, to benefit local artists. The next bingo night is set for Monday, February 10, 2014, at 7 pm. Gamble & Drink Beer knowing that you are giving back a part of what you spend to support community art in Santa Ana. Here’s your chance to contribute! Money well spent!

The Santa Ana Community Artist Coalition is the organizer of this event. Continue reading→

Snake Night at the Santiago Park Nature Reserve set for March 28

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Nature, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 2 Comments

SNAKE NIGHT @ CITY OF SANTA ANA: SANTIAGO CREEK WILDLIFE AND WATERSHED CENTER, SANTIAGO PARK NATURE RESERVE

The Santiago Creek Wildlife and Watershed Center, at the Santiago Park Nature Reserve, is hosting a “Snake Night” on Friday, March 28, 2014, at 6 pm.

Have questions about local snakes? Watch a FREE educational presentation by Kevin Erbas-White, an Educational Specialist from the North American Field Herping Association (N.A.F.H.A.), “Using Satellites to Distinguish Rattlesnake Habitat Preferences.” Continue reading→

OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens endorses Jeff Ferguson for OC Judge 2014

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Courts, Orange County, Politics, Sandra Hutchens Leave a comment

Jeff Ferguson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 714-313-7824

OC SHERIFF SANDRA HUTCHENS ENDORSES JEFF FERGUSON FOR OC JUDGE 2014

Sandra Hutchens, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner, endorsed Jeff Ferguson for OC Judge this week. Ferguson is a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Orange County.

“I am deeply gratified by Sheriff Hutchens belief in my committment to public safety and the fair administration of justice,” said Ferguson. “Our safe streets has been my top priority as a prosecutor, and will remain my top priority as a judge.” Continue reading→