New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: October 2014

Michele Martinez owes the Santa Ana Police Officers Association an apology

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Civic Affairs, Michele Martinez, Mirna Velasquez, Public Safety, Santa Ana 20 Comments

Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez was not endorsed this year by either the Santa Ana Police Officers Association or the Orange County Deputy Sheriffs Association but that has not stopped her or her friends from pretending otherwise.

Martinez is using a picture of herself with police officers on her campaign website and a PAC that supports her just sent out a mailer this week using the same picture – and the same message.

This is fraud. Martinez was rejected by our leading law enforcement associations for a reason – she has been on the wrong side of crime fighting and our police officers just don’t trust her any more. Nor should we. Continue reading→

Santa Ana scumbag who molested little girls he met at church is going to prison

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Churches and Religion, Crime, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release

Case# 14NF1995

October 17, 2014

MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO GIRLS BETWEEN AGES 9 AND 12 AFTER MEETING THEM AT CHURCH AND BEFRIENDING THEIR FAMILIES

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 30 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting two girls between ages 9 and 12 after meeting them through church and befriending their families. David Elifar Verduzco, 35, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Oct. 1, 2014, of three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, one felony count of sexual penetration with a child 10 years or younger, one misdemeanor count each of child annoyance and disorderly conduct. The sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and lewd acts on multiple children were found true.

At the time of the crime, Verduzco was a parishioner of Agape House of Prayer in Anaheim, where he was a worship team leader and gave electronic keyboard lessons. The defendant met both of the victims and their families at the church and befriended them. Continue reading→

Solorio didn’t turn his back on them – they’re GOP hacks and Jannies!

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Garden Grove, Janet Nguyen, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 43 Comments

Have you seen the Solorio Turned his Back on Us billboard? You know the one with that fellow with a heavy beard? Well it turns out the entire campaign is a complete fraud. The people featured on the Solorio Turned his Back on Us campaign are all part of an extended family – of a young lady named Maribel Marroquin. And she is the Latino Engagement Coordinator at the Lincoln Club of Orange County, a conservative business organization that generally supports Republicans, not Democrats.

Pictured on the website are: Continue reading→

The SAUSD will provide free subsidized meals to all kids in 2014/15

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Food, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2014

Contact: Mark Chavez, Nutrition Services Director, 714-431-1900/Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer, 714-673-4995

SAUSD to Participate in Either Provision 2 or the Community Eligibility Provision

Santa Ana Unified School District today announced that all school sites will be participating in either Provision 2 or the Community Eligibility Provision under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs during the 2014-15 school year.

Under these provisions, all students will be served lunch and breakfast at no charge at the following sites: Continue reading→

Janet Nguyen campaign donors are under investigation by the FPPC

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Crime, Jose Solorio, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Vietnamese 1 Comment

Folks in Little Saigon know they have to bribe Janet Nguyen with bags of money

The state’s Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating nearly a dozen people for political money laundering in connection to campaign contributions to county Supervisor and state Senate candidate Janet Nguyen according to Thy Vo and Nick Gerda at the Voice of OC.

The FPPC has issued 11 subpoenas to donors who made contributions to the political committee Friends of Supervisor Janet Nguyen between 2011 and 2012, as part of an investigation involving political contributions made in the name of persons other than the true contributor, according to court records, according to the Voice of OC. Continue reading→

SAPD DUI check set for 10/17 at 900 E. 1st. ST.

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA POLICE ADVISORY:

The SAPD will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on October 17, 2014, at 900 E. First Street, from 9:00PM to 3:00AM.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.
Continue reading→

Orange County anti-gang curfew sweep results in arrest of 31 juveniles

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2014

LAW ENFORCEMENT NET 31 JUVENILES IN 6TH ANNUAL OC GRIP CURFEW SWEEP

ORANGE COUNTY – Over 180 law enforcement officers from 19 agencies netted 31 juveniles in violation of city curfew laws last night in the 6th annual curfew sweeps by the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP). OC GRIP aims to prevent juveniles from being victims of or participants in gang crimes by identifying at-risk youth, increasing school attendance, and decreasing gang activity.

Last night and early this morning, officers patrolled Orange County cities and unincorporated areas for children ages 17 and under out in public past curfew, in violation of city laws. Curfews in Orange County begin at 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m., depending on the city, and last until 5:00 a.m. the following day. Minors are prohibited from being in public during these hours unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian or are subject to circumstantial exceptions made for minors participating in employment, educational, or emergency activities. Continue reading→

OC Grand Jury applications are now being accepted

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, OC Grand Jury Leave a comment

OC Grand Jury applications are now being accepted

By OC Supervisor Todd Spitzer

(Portions courtesy of the Orange County Superior Court)

The Orange County Superior Court is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 Orange County Grand Jury. A new 19-member Grand Jury will be empaneled for a one-year term that begins July 1.

As mandated by the California Constitution, the Grand Jury has three basic functions: weighing criminal charges and determining whether indictments should be returned; weighing any allegations of misconduct against public officials to determine whether to present formal accusations requesting their removal from office; and acting as the public’s “watchdog” by investigating and reporting on the affairs of local government. Most of the Grand Jury panel’s time is spent performing civil oversight of local government by reviewing and evaluating county and city agencies, schools, and special districts within the county. Continue reading→

Recap of the SAUSD School Board candidates forum

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Angie Rosario Cano, Cecilia Aguinaga, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, Everlena Oliver, John Palacio, Mike Dalati, Rigo Rodriguez, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Shuntele Andrews, Valerie Amezcua 7 Comments

A friend of mine who is a teacher was at the SAUSD School Board candidates meeting tonight. She said that Valerie Amezcua (pictured above) was one dimensional. She also felt that Mike Dalati was out of his league and apparently he ducked out before the question and answer session.

Amezcua has already lost in two previous SAUSD School Board elections. She lost by 75 votes to high school dropout Roman Reyna in 2008 and she lost again in 2012 by 537 votes to Jose Alfredo Hernandez. Continue reading→

International Educators’ Hall of Fame Awards set for 11/14 at Chapman University

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Orange, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Youth-on-the-Move Education International, Inc./International Educators’ Hall of Fame

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2014

Twenty-first International Educators’ Hall of Fame Awards: First in Orange County

Orange – For the first time in Orange County, Youth-on-the-Move International Educators’ Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony will take place at Chapman University on Friday, November 14, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Paul and Daranne Folino Theater, Marion Knott Studios, 283 N. Cypress Street, Orange, California 92866. There will be over 20 humanitarian educators honored for their impact in education. Several inductees are from Orange County and include Dr. Lawrence B. deGraaf, CSUFullerton; Barbara Hill, Santa Ana Unified School District; Dr. Kogee Thomas, UC Irvine; Mr. Sal Tinajero,Fullerton Schools; Mr. Johnny L. Williams, Santa Ana Unified School District; and among others are Dr. Erlinda Martinez, President Santa Ana College; Huell Howser, California’s Gold (posthumously); The Leon Owens Foundation; Executive Chief, Ugo Allesina of Prego’s Restaurant, Irvine and Dr. Bede Ssensalo, from Uganda teaching at both CSULong Beach and Cypress College.

The event is open to the public. Additional information and tickets are available at educatorshalloffame.org, at eventbrite.com or by calling 714-628-9844. Continue reading→

Victim shot near Sepulveda Elementary School

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Investigate Non-Fatal Shooting In The Area Of Doreen Way & Edinger Avenue

Santa Ana Police are investigating a non-fatal shooting which occurred at approximately 1:30 PM in the area of Doreen Way & Edinger Avenue. The lone victim sustained a gunshot wound and has been transported to a local hospital for treatment. Continue reading→

The SAPD is now hiring part time and full time officers

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Jobs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The City of Santa Ana is currently hiring Correctional Services Officers on a Part-Time basis (Bilingual and Non-Bilingual). Click here to apply. This job pays $20.01 – $24.32 Hourly.

This a part-time position. The incumbent(s) will work up to 20 hours per week. Work schedule is to be determined and open for discussion. This recruitment is open until further notice. Therefore, it can close at any given time and without notice. You are encouraged to apply immediately!

Bilingual fluency is not required at this time. Applicants interested in receiving bilingual pay, which is an additional $0.73/hour, must be fluent in both English and any one of the following languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Samoan, Hmong, Korean, or Cambodian. Continue reading→

The founding of Santa Ana to be celebrated on Oct. 25

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Food, Historical, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Members of the Tongva and Juaneño/Luiseño nations long inhabited the area we now know as Santa Ana. In 1810, year of the commencement of the war of Mexican Independence (1810–1821), Jose Antonio Yorba, a sergeant of the Spanish army, was granted land that he called Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Yorba’s rancho included the lands where the cities of Olive, Orange, Irvine, Yorba Linda, Villa Park, Santa Ana, Tustin, Costa Mesa and unincorporated El Modena, and Santa Ana Heights, are today. This rancho was the only land grant in Orange County granted under Spanish Rule.

After the Mexican-American war ended in 1848, Alta California became part of the United States and American settlers arrived in this area. Claimed in 1869 by Kentuckian William H. Spurgeon on land obtained from the descendents of Jose Antonio Yorba, Santa Ana was incorporated as a city in 1886 with a population of 2000 and in 1889 became the seat of the newly formed Orange County. (Source – Wikipedia)

Now for some reason the founding of Santa Ana is being celebrated with an event called “Plaza Founders” on Saturday, October 25, 2014, from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm, at the northwest corner of French St. and Fourth St. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Community Budget Outreach meeting set for Oct. 29

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: Public Invited to the City’s Community Budget Outreach & Strategic Plan Update on October 29 from 6 – 7:30 pm

SANTA ANA, CA (October 15, 2014) – The future looks bright in the City of Santa Ana! From a financial turnaround to decreased unemployment, the City of Santa Ana has made tremendous progress over the last year. Home to eight of the 100 fastest growing companies in Orange County and a decreasing crime rate, the City has steadily moved closer to achieving the goals set after extensive community outreach in the City’s Five-Year Strategic Plan.

The public is encouraged to attend the City of Santa Ana’s Community Budget Outreach and Strategic Plan Update on Wednesday, October 29 from 6-7:30 pm at the City Council Chambers to learn more about the City’s progress. Continue reading→

Armed men rob the OC Recording Company recording studio in Santa Ana

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD ROBBERY DETECTIVES REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING VEHICLE USED IN ARMED ROBBERY

SYNOPSIS: On 10/07/14, at about 2218 hrs., three male blacks entered The OC Recording Company recording studio under the pretense of recording an album. The owner/victim told the male black suspects he was not aware of an appointment at that time, but requested they wait outside. The suspects then entered the business and produced handguns.

The suspects tied up the owner/victim and a second employee/victim of the recording studio. As both victims were tied up, the suspects questioned the victims about the value of their studio equipment and location of a safe. The victims cooperated with the suspect requests. During the robbery, the suspects stole several pieces of high- end studio equipment, which included microphones, guitars, and miscellaneous computer equipment. Continue reading→