New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: March 2015

Permit process for Lyft and Uber approved for John Wayne Airport

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

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

Process Approved for Transportation Network Companies to Serve John Wayne Airport

(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors has approved an operating permit that will allow Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), which include “ridesharing” services such as Uber and Lyft, to begin serving John Wayne Airport.

Under regulations set by the California Public Utilities Commission, TNCs may not operate at airports unless specifically authorized by the airport authority. Board approval of the TNC permit process will lead to TNC drivers being able to pick up passengers who have arranged for rides as well as drop off passengers. Continue reading→

Two suspects arrested in the El Zocalo Restaurant murder case

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Homicide Detectives Arrest Two Suspects in El Zocalo Restaurant Murder Case

Victim: Jose De Jesus Mendoza Maria (32) Los Angeles

Suspect 1: Viyey Castaneda (29) Santa Ana (No Photo available)
Suspect 2: Anastacio Castaneda Rios (45) Santa Ana (No Photo available)

Location: El Zocalo (Restaurant) – 301 N. Tustin

Summary: On 3/2/15 at approximately 12:47 a.m , patrol officers responded to the El Zocalo Restaurant located at 301 N. Tustin regarding an unknown trouble call. Upon their arrival, officers discovered multiple gunshot victims at the scene. One victim was deceased at the scene and (4) other people were transported to area hospitals. CAP/Homicide Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Continue reading→

Man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend, who was a CSUF student

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Fullerton, OCDA Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 07NF2414

Date: March 3, 2015

MAN CONVICTED OF 1994 STABBING MURDER OF EX-GIRLFRIEND AND LOCKING HER BODY IN TRUNK OF HER CAR

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of stabbing and murdering his ex-girlfriend and locking her body in the trunk of her car in 1994. Samuel Agustin Lopez, 43, Placentia, was convicted by a jury of one felony count of murder and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. He faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on May 1, 2015, at 9:00a.m., inDepartment C-34, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Samuel Lopez’s cousin, Xavier Francisco Lopez, 43, Anaheim, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder involving the infliction of torture. He faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled for jury trial on March 20, 2015, in Department C-34, Central Justice Center. Continue reading→

Man gets death sentence for killing Irvine family members of his ex-girlfriend

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine, OCDA Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 07NF2178

Date: March 3, 2015

MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDERING EX-GIRLFRIEND’S FATHER AND SISTER BEFORE SETTING THEIR BODIES AND HOME ON FIRE AND ATTEMPTING TO KILL HER MOTHER

*One co-defendant was sentenced and another co-defendant is awaiting re-trial in this case

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to receive the death penalty for murdering his ex-girlfriend’s father and sister and attempting to kill her mother. The two murdered victims were set on fire and the third victim was left in a coma after suffering life-threatening injuries. Iftekhar Murtaza, 30, Van Nuys, was found guilty by a jury Nov. 22, 2013, of two felony counts of murder, one felony count of attempted murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, the special circumstance sentencing enhancements for multiple murders, and murder during the commission of kidnapping were found true. The same jury recommended the death penalty for Murtaza on Dec. 16, 2013.

Co-defendant Charles Anthony Murphy Jr., 30, Mission Hills, was found guilty by a jury Dec. 12, 2012, of two felony counts of special circumstances murder, one felony count of attempted murder, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder. The sentencing enhancements for multiple murders, murder during the commission of kidnapping, and murder for financial gain were found true. Murphy was convicted in his third re-trial, as a previous jury was unable to reach a verdict and the second re-trial was declared a mistrial. He was sentenced to life in state prison without the possibility of parole on Jan. 17, 2014. Continue reading→

Woman arrested following domestic dispute

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine Leave a comment

Irvine Police Department Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE: 03-03-15

Subject: Woman Arrested Following Domestic Dispute

Contact : Farrah Emami, Public Information Officer, 949-724-7112, FEmami@cityofirvine.org

IRVINE, CA – The Irvine Police Department (IPD) has arrested a woman following a domestic dispute. Debra Gardner, 57, was taken into custody after IPD responded to a residence on the 600 block of Hayes in Irvine regarding a single shot fired.

At approximately 5:15 p.m. on March 2, 2015, Gardner entered the residence of a male victim, with whom she was previously in a romantic relationship. The suspect was armed with a firearm. Gardner and the victim began to struggle in the doorway of the apartment, and a single shot was fired into the apartment. The shot hit an interior wall and no one was injured by the round. Continue reading→

21st Annual Parent Conference for SAUSD parents set for March 14

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Entertainment, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

SAUSD Parent Conference to Provide Valuable Resources for Student Success

SANTA ANA CA- March 3, 2015 – Parents of the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) are invited to attend the 21st Annual Parent Conference on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Villa Fundamental Intermediate School, located at 1441 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701. “Our theme this year is “Together, Supporting SAUSD Students.” This theme is fitting because we know that it takes parents and guardians in partnership with teachers, school staff, and district administration to ensure that students are receiving the best educational experience possible,” said Superintendent Rick Miller, Ph.D.

The event will feature a host of workshops and seminars, and community resources that are specifically designed to aid parents in supporting their student’s success. This event is free, and transportation is being provided from each school in the district to the location. Please visit the Santa Ana Unified School District website at www.sausd.us for pick up times. Continue reading→

Segerstrom and Aitken to be honored at tonight’s City Council meeting

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Picture courtesy of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: MAYOR & COUNCIL TO HONOR CITIZENS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AT TONIGHT’S CITY COUNCIL MEETING

SANTA ANA, CA (March 3, 2015) – The public is invited to attend the City Council Meeting as members of the City Council will recognize community members for their outstanding service to the City of Santa Ana.

The Mayor will present a proclamation in memory of Henry T. Segerstrom for his extraordinary contributions to the City of Santa Ana. Mayor Pulido will also present Ashleigh Aitken with the Exceptional Service Award for her outstanding service to the Santa Ana community. Continue reading→

Councilman Benavides returns to KidWorks to serve as a Director

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, David Benavides, Santa Ana 12 Comments

Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides has been named Executive Director of KidWorks, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit that now serves over 800 children, teens and parents through weekly programs and over 4,000 community members annually from three learning centers, according to OC Metro Magazine.

This is not Benavides’ first go-around at KidWorks. According to his official bio, “During his college years, he was introduced to KidWorks, a Santa Ana based non-profit organization which focuses on mentoring and empowering at-risk youth and families in some of the most under-resourced neighborhoods of Orange County. Initially moving to Santa Ana for an 8-week internship with KidWorks, David later became the Director of the non-profit for over six years. During his tenure, David prepared the organization for growth and later continued providing leadership as Board Chairman for over five years.” Continue reading→

Teachers now accused of sex, booze and drugs on the beach with students

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Beaches, Crime, Education, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15HF0219

Date: March 2, 2015

ADDITIONAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST TWO TEACHERS FOR UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND ILLEGALLY PROVIDING ALCOHOL AND COCAINE TO UNDERAGE STUDENTS DURING CAMPING TRIP AT SAN CLEMENTE BEACH

NEWPORT BEACH – Additional charges were filed today against two high school teachers for unlawful sexual intercourse and illegally providing alcohol and cocaine to a group of underage students after organizing a camping trip at San Clemente Beach. Melody Suzanne Lippert, 38, Covina, is facing additional charges of one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse, one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, and a sentencing enhancement for being four years or older than the minor, in addition to the original previous charge of one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Co-defendant Michelle Louise Ghirelli, 30, West Covina, is facing additional charges of one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse, one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, one felony count of oral copulation of a minor, and a sentencing enhancement for being four years or older than the minor, in addition to the original previous charge of one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Continue reading→

Why is Benavides ignoring a racist comment by one of his Commissioners?

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Affordable Housing, African Americans, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Development, Phil Bacerra, Planning, Santa Ana 31 Comments

David Benavides and Phil Bacerra

Agenda Item 13C is on tomorrow night’s Santa Ana City Council agenda, regarding the recommended reappointment of Phil Bacerra to the Ward 4 seat on the Santa Ana Planning Commission. Bacerra’s reappointment, which is being brought forward by Councilman David Benavides, was voted down by a 4-3 vote of the city council last December. Questions regarding Bacerra’s failing to properly disclose ex-parte communications were at the center of that debate.

However it is comments made by Bacerra on the dais during the May 12, 2014 public hearing on an affordable housing development called the “Depot at Santiago,“ that is being built by award-winning developer C&C Development, that raises questions as to why the council would agree to support Bacerra’s reappointment now. In the audio from the May 12th meeting Bacerra can be heard comparing the proposed development to the notorious Cabrini-Green housing project in Chicago. Continue reading→

Shooting at El Zocalo results in one death and several injuries

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Restaurants, Santa Ana 5 Comments

A confrontation at El Zocalo Mexican Grill and Seafood, located at 301 N. Tustin Ave., in Santa Ana, ended violently early Monday morning when a gunman fatally shot one man and a crowd of customers and security guards subdued the shooter and another attacker, according to the L.A. Times.

Two men were also shot, but are expected to survive, and were taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana with another man whose head was injured, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

Man shot near apartment in Ward 5

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 1 Comment

A Santa Ana man was shot outside an apartment complex at the 2000 block of West Myrtle Street on Saturday afternoon, according to the O.C. Register.

The man is thought to have been shot after having a verbal fight with someone out side his apartment after which he made his way to his second-floor apartment, with a single gunshot wound. Continue reading→