New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: March 2014

Dogs will pack OCTA buses for day of training on April 5

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in buena park, OCTA, Pets, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2014

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

NEWS ADVISORY: Dogs Will Pack OCTA Buses For Day of Training

WHAT: Dogs riding buses. More than 100 service animals and their handlers are expected to attend a unique training event on April 5 that will help them get accustomed to navigating the public bus system.

Handlers will work with their therapy and service animals – including Golden Retrievers, Labradors, poodles and more – continually boarding, riding and exiting an Orange County Transportation Authority bus so they can get familiar with large groups of people, loud noises and unfamiliar sights and sounds. Participants also will get access to the Knott’s Berry Farm theme park, where they will encounter the sounds of whizzing rollercoasters, children running toward their favorite rides and plenty of other activity. Continue reading→

Driver who was on meth to face trial for killing a cyclist in a hit and run

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14CF1047: March 31, 2014

DRIVER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF METHAMPHETAMINE TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR KILLING CYCLIST IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH

SANTA ANA – Driver under the influence of methamphetamine is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for killing a cyclist in a hit-and-run crash. Sommer Nicole Gonzales, 18, Tustin, is charged with one felony count each of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, driving under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury, hit and run with death, possession of a controlled substance, one misdemeanor count of use and under the influence of a controlled substance, one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance paraphernalia, and sentencing enhancement allegations for inflicting great bodily injury, and fleeing the scene of a crime. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 15 years and eight months in state prison for the felonies and one year and six months in Orange County jail for the misdemeanors. The defendant is being held on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-57, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Distracted driver to face trial for car crash that killed a woman on the 405

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jorene Ypanto Nicolas

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12WF0170: March 31, 2014

DISTRACTED FREEWAY DRIVER TO FACE TRIAL FOR KILLING MOTORIST BY CRASHING AT 80 MPH INTO CAR STOPPED IN TRAFFIC

SANTA ANA – An inattentive driver faces trial tomorrow for killing a motorist by crashing into the victim’s car at approximately 80 mph after failing to notice that traffic had come to a stop. Jorene Ypanto Nicolas, 31, San Diego, is charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison if convicted. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department C-28, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. on April 27, 2011, Nicolas is accused of speeding northbound on Interstate 405 near Edwards Street in a Toyota Prius. She is accused of being distracted and inattentive while driving and failing to notice that the traffic ahead had come to a complete stop. Continue reading→

Get a sneak peek at a Santa Ana-inspired Play at Santa Ana College on 4/2

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Plays, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Dialogue/Diálogos Invites You to a Sneak Peak of Santa Ana-inspired Play at Santa Ana College Theatre Arts Department on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at 6:30 pm.

Residents of Santa Ana have shared their stories with South Coast Repertory playwright-in-residence José Cruz González to create a play. Join us for a staged reading of the FIRST draft, read by Santa Ana community members! Participate to help shape the final product—a professional stage play presented in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Irvine man convicted of raping women in Irvine and in Newport Beach

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine, Newport Beach, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11HF1885: March 27, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN IN IRVINE AND NEWPORT BEACH

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of sexually assaulting two women in Irvine and Newport Beach. Travis Dewayne Batten, Jr., 31, Irvine, was found guilty by a jury of two felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count each of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense during the commission of first degree burglary, sodomy by force, sexual penetration by foreign object by force, and kidnapping to commit a sex offense. The sentencing enhancement allegations for committing sexual offenses during the commission of a burglary and tying up or binding a person were found true. Batten faces a maximum sentence of 120 years to life in state prison at his sentencing, May 23, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

The 3rd Annual International Woman’s Day event is set for today in Santa Ana

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Santa Ana, Women Leave a comment

The 3rd Annual International Woman’s Day in Santa Ana is set for today, Saturday, 3/29, from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm at El Centro Cultural de Mexico, located at 313 N. Birch Street, Suite C, in Santa Ana.

Santa Ana brings you an educational, social, community event, to recognize woman’s struggles and victories, by sharing information, skills, knowledge, love, music and more. Workshops,conversations, poetry and speakers.

Insurgencia Femenina- 90.7fm, Copwatch Santa Ana , Slam School for Girls- Poets.and more! Clothes exchange/ donation,bring three or more items of clothes, shoes, or accessories to donate to womans shelter. We will be accepting clothes from 4:00-7:00pm. Bring your 3 items for donation recieve a ticket, then from 7:30-10:00pm bring ticket back to exchange for 2 items. We will donate all items to a local woman’s shelter. Continue reading→

2nd Annual Making the Cut Live Hair Show to name OC’s top stylist on 3/31

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Second Annual Making the Cut Live Hair Show Competition to Name Orange County’s Top Stylist

Created by Scott Fontana, in Association with Cristophe Salon Newport Beach, Hair Stylists to Compete Live On-Stage at The Observatory in Santa Ana on March 31

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – March 28, 2014 – Scott Fontana, celebrity stylist and owner of Cristophe Salon Newport Beach, has released the date of the second annual Making the Cut live hair show competition to name Orange County’s Top Stylist 2014. On March 31, 2014, six finalists will compete live on-stage at The Observatory in Santa Ana to showcase their talents in front of hundreds of local community members for the chance to win the title of OC’s Top Stylist 2014, as well as $2,500 cash and other prizes. Continue reading→

Barrio Writers to sign and read from their book today at Frida Cinema

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Literacy, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 1 Comment

The Frida Cinema is hosting a a Book Signing & Live Reading by the Barrio Writers from Summer 2013 today, Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 2 pm., at 305 East 4th St., in Downtown Santa Ana.

In the Summer of 2009, thirty students came together to form the first Barrio Writers chapter in Santa Ana, California, a non-profit reading and writing program that aims to empower teens through creative writing, higher education and cultural arts. The first edition BW Book was published in June 2010.

Since then, five summers have passed, four summers of youth works have been released & now more students have been published in the 5th Edition Barrio Writers, A Collection of Works by Teens for Teens, Teachers & Our Communities. Continue reading→

View the film of the first U.S. women to fight in combat at the S.A. Library

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Santa Ana, Women Leave a comment

Join the Santa Ana Public Library as it presents, Lioness, the untold story of the first group of women soldiers in US history to be sent into direct combat.

The film will be followed by a brief Q&A with Air Force veteran, Lt. Col. Carla Marcinek and Army veteran, Samantha Sanchez.

This program is FREE and open to the community. Continue reading→

Progressive voter registration drives seeks field director in Santa Ana

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Jobs, Liberals, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Progressive Voter Registration Drives Seeks Field Director (Santa Ana)

Compensation: $4000 per month. Salaried, full time, non-profit organization

Progressive non-profit organization is looking to hire a motivated and ambitious liberal to manage the day-to-day operations of a door-to-door voter registration program in the Santa Ana area. This is a full-time salaried position scheduled through November 2014.

Continue reading→

5.3 M earthquake felt in Santa Ana

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

M5.3 – GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA, CALIFORNIA

A Magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck on March 29, 2014, at 9:09 pm, 2 miles from La Habra, here in Orange County. It was widely felt in Los Angeles and here in Santa Ana.

Here is the Preliminary Earthquake Report courtesy of he USGS Earthquake Hazards Program: Continue reading→

Santa Ana man gets prison term for hit and run that killed a senior

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0131: March 28, 2014

MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR KILLING PEDESTRIAN IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to four years in state prison for killing a pedestrian by crashing into the victim with his car and then fleeing the scene. Victor Manuel Arredondo Anaya, 28, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury, Feb. 5, 2014, of one felony count of hit and run causing death and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 10, 2013, Anaya was driving a BMW heading southbound on Orange Avenue approaching Stanford Street in Santa Ana. He hit 75-year-old Miguel Ceja, who was lawfully crossing in an unmarked crosswalk on Orange Avenue. Anaya struck the victim’s left side with his car, causing Ceja to crash onto the hood of the car and hit his head on the windshield. Ceja then struck the left side mirror before being thrown from the vehicle and tumbling into the driver’s door of a parked car. Anaya failed to stop to assist the victim and continued driving. Ceja was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez to promote ObamaCare enrollment again this Saturday in Santa Ana

Posted on March 27, 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: March 27, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, 202-226-8373, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

CONGRESSWOMAN LORETTA SANCHEZ CONTINUES TO “ENROLL OC” BEFORE COVERED CA DEADLINE

Saturday Santa Ana Enrollment Event One of Few Before Deadline

Garden Grove, Calif. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) will continue her effort to “Enroll OC” by hosting an enrollment event this Saturday, March 29, 2014, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm PST at the Orange County Employees Union Offices, 830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, CA, 92701.

Congresswoman Sanchez launched “Enroll OC” in February to connect Orange County residents with certified, in person bilingual health insurance enrollment services through Covered California. Over 20 events across Orange County have helped residents who face hurdles to enrollment like language barriers, lack of computer access or complicated financial situations. Continue reading→

The SAUSD will hold a Student Food Show to find out what foods appeal to kids

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Entertainment, Food, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

SAUSD Media Advisory: Voice Your Choice: Student Food Show

THE EVENT: The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) will hold a Voice Your Choice: Student Food Show to get students engaged and to provide their feedback on the menu selections offered at SAUSD school sites. Students will participate in a variety of taste testing and surveys to assist the District in adding nutritious food selections that are appealing to young people. The participants will include elementary and high school students Continue reading→

Floral Park announces their 22nd Annual Home and Garden Tour

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Nature, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana 3 Comments

PRESS RELEASE PR Contact: Linda Schulte

Tel (714) 742-1845

FLORAL PARK ANNOUNCES 22nd ANNUAL HOME & GARDEN TOUR

SANTA ANA, CA, February 1, 2014 – The Floral Park Neighborhood Association (FPNA), one of the most architecturally distinctive neighborhoods in Orange County, will celebrate its 22nd annual Home & Garden Tour on April 26-27, 2014. The event will showcase the broad range of architectural styles and gardens that are the hallmark of the neighborhood. Over 100 neighborhood homes are now listed in the Santa Ana Register of Historic Properties. Since the first Home & Garden Tour in 1993, more than 200 homes and gardens in Floral Park have been opened to visitors from the United States and Europe.

Located in the northern tip of Santa Ana, Floral Park and its homes have been featured in publications such as The Orange County Register, Orange County Home, Orange Coast, Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion, Southern California Home and Outdoor, The LA Times, and OC Metro. Floral Park was named “Best Neighborhood” in the Orange County Register’s 14th Annual People’s Choice Best of Orange County, and Neighborhood of the Year in 2005 by Neighborhoods USA (NUSA), primarily as a result of the annual Home and Garden Tour and its example of what a volunteer effort can bring to building a community. Continue reading→