New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: May 2015

Santa Ana car thief busted after a brief chase but his passenger got away

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A suspected car thief got busted on Sunday morning after an SAPD police officer tried to stop a reportedly stolen gray Acura MDX just before 6:40 a.m., as it traveled southbound on South Fairview Street near West McFadden Avenue, according to the O.C. Register.

Of course the suspect refused to stop so the chase was on. The driver took off on West McFadden Ave., for about two miles, before he turned right on South Harmon Street. Then he stopped in a residential neighborhood at around 600 South Harman, and the cops caught him and arrested him on suspicion of possession of stolen property. Continue reading→

Driver crashed head on into an SAPD police cruiser on Saturday night on Bristol

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD Police Cruiser crashes in Santa Ana

Photo from a video shot by Joel Gonzales

An SAPD police cruiser driving northbound in the 600 block of South Bristol Street, crashed head-on into another vehicle, in an intersection, while racing to respond to an alleged shooting on Saturday night, at around 6:10 p.m., according to the O.C. Register.

The patrol car had its lights and sirens on at the time of the crash, according to the SAPD. The police officer was turning westbound on West Willits Street when a driver heading southbound on Bristol did not stop at the intersection. Continue reading→

New mySantaAna smart phone app makes it easy to report maintenance issues

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, public works, Santa Ana, Waste 1 Comment

The City of Santa Ana has launched a “mySantaAna” Smart Phone application that allows residents with iPhone and Android phones to point, click and send photos of maintenance issues such as graffiti, illegal dumping, potholes, sidewalk defects, street signs, street sweeping, trees, street light repair, weeds, storm drain, water pollution, hazardous waste, animal services, shopping cart removal and transient debris.

iPhone and Android users may download the “mySantaAna” application for free from the iPhone App Store and Google Play Android Market by searching for the keyword “mySantaAna”. Once installed, users will simply open the application and follow the prompts to take pictures of the issue and then tap “submit”. Using built-in global positioning system technology, “mySantaAna” will attach a location to the picture and route the information to the appropriate City department for resolution.
City staff and Vendors will now be able to respond like a business, using better technology, encouraging efficiency and faster response times. Continue reading→

Watch the Shrek Jr. Musical, live, at Santa Ana H.S. on June 5 for only one dollar

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Education, Entertainment, Musicals, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities 1 Comment

Santa Ana High School performing arts and Heninger Elementary School present “Shrek Jr. The Musical” at the immaculate Santa Ana High School Bill Medley Auditorium on Friday, June 5, 2015 7:00 p.m. Pre Sale: $1.00 for general admission and $5.00 for VIP seating! Santa Ana High School is located at 520 West Walnut Street, in Santa Ana. To get tickets contact David De Leon at this link.

He may be a big, scary, green ogre to the rest of the world, but as they story reveals, he’s really just a big fellow with a big heart. It is great if Shrek is a solid singer, but most importantly, snag a young man who is an excellent actor with comedic chops. Continue reading→

The OCTA’s youth summer bus pass is now on sale

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Santa Ana, Transportation, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2015

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

OCTA Offers 30-Day Youth Summer Pass

Teens encouraged to “De-Zombify” this summer by taking OCTA buses to Orange County attractions

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is encouraging local teens to “De-Zombify” this summer by getting out into the sunshine and exploring Orange County’s many attractions using the OCTA Youth Summer Pass.

For the past 14 years, OCTA has provided a summer bus pass for those 18 and younger as part of a youth ridership program.

For the first time, it’s being offered to youth ages 6-18 as a 30-day pass. A pass costs $20 and is valid for unlimited rides for 30 consecutive days between June 1 and Sept. 30. Continue reading→

Two men facing charges for pimping and pandering throughout Orange County

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

May 28, 2015

Case # 15WF0912

TWO MEN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR TRAFFICKING, PIMPING, AND PANDERING FOUR WOMEN AND ONE MINOR GIRL FROM TEXAS TO ORANGE COUNTY

*Defendants’ preliminary hearing was heard last week and additional charges were filed based on new information

SANTA ANA – Two men are scheduled to be arraigned today on charges for trafficking, pimping, and pandering five women and one minor girl from Texas to Orange County. Lynn Anthony Bishop, 45, Houston, Texas, and Henry Ray Perry, 33, Burbank, were previously charged with one felony count each of human trafficking, pandering by procuring, human trafficking of a minor, pimping a minor, pandering with a minor over 16 years old by procuring, four felony counts of pimping, and three felony counts of pandering.

The defendants have been additionally charged with one felony count of pimping and two felony counts of pandering. Bishop faces a sentencing enhancement for a prior strike conviction for committing a robbery in 2000 in Harris County, Texas. Perry faces a sentencing enhancement for a prior federal prison conviction for transporting for prostitution in 2012 in Texas and serving a separate prison term of one year and more and not remaining free for a period of five years. If convicted, Bishop faces a maximum sentence of 56 years in state prison and Perry faces a maximum sentence of 29 years in state prison. They are each being held on $1 million bail and must prove the funds are from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. They are scheduled to be arraigned today in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

The SAPD arrests a bank robbery suspect named Justin Thomas Yrrarazaval

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Justin Thomas Yrrarazaval

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Santa Ana Police Department Arrests Suspect For Bank Robbery

Location: Schools 1st Bank (2115 N. Broadway)

Arrested: Justin Thomas Yrrarazaval (20) Santa Ana

On 5-29-15 at 9:00 A.M., an SAPD Patrol Officer observed suspect Yrrarazaval walking in the 1300 block of North Spurgeon Street. The Officer believed Yrrarazaval was the same suspect he observed on surveillance video during a bank robbery at Schools First Bank (2115 N. Broadway,) on 5-28-2015.

Robbery Detectives responded to the officer’s location and transported the suspect to the Police Department where he was questioned about his involvement in the Bank Robbery. Yrrarazaval was booked into Santa Ana Police Jail on the charge of CPC 211 – Bank Robbery. Continue reading→

Sample the SAUSD’s new healthy school menu options on May 30

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Entertainment, Food, Health and Medical, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer, (714) 558-5555 office, (714) 673-4995 mobile

Media Advisory

May 30: SAUSD’s “Voice Your Choice” Food Show

Thousands to sample and vote on healthy school menu options

(May 28, 2015) – An estimated 3,000 students and parents will taste test and vote on potential new school cafeteria food items for the Santa Ana Unified School District as part of the first “Voice Your Choice” school menu food show to be held Saturday, May 30, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Godinez Fundamental High School, located at 3002 Centennial Road in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Teens invited to apply for the OCTA Teen Council

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2015

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

Teens Invited to Apply for OCTA Council

Applications are open to Orange County high school students and are due July 31

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is accepting applications for its teen council, a group that allows high school students to participate in transportation-related discussions and projects with their peers and OCTA staff.

Applications are due by July 31 and can be found at www.octa.net/teencouncil, and at some Orange County high school administrative offices. Continue reading→

Gang member wanted in series of O.C. robberies is arrested in Mexico

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Fugitive wanted in robbery series arrested in Mexico

Arrested – Wanted Suspect: Ernesto Guerra (20)

Detectives obtained information that suspect Ernesto Guerra was hiding in the city of Jalisco, Mexico with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Mexican law enforcement authorities. Suspect Ernesto Guerra was arrested and brought back to Santa Ana, where he was booked for the robbery series. Continue reading→

Mendez Fundamental teacher Sharon Romero is the O.C. Teacher of the Year

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Al Mijares, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Sharon Romero and Al Mijares. Photo credit: OCDE

Sharon Romeo Named Orange County Teacher of the Year for 2016

By the Orange County Department of Education

The “prize patrol” bus loaded with OCDE administrators, media and sponsors continued the journey announcing the five 2016 Orange County Teachers of the Year this morning. Sponsors are on hand with prizes including Disney park passes and a $500 check from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. Each winner will also receive a $15,000 prize from the the Dr. James Hines Foundation, established by OC residents Bill and Sue Gross, at a dinner in the teachers’ honor in November at the Disneyland Hotel.

We now bring you the story of the next winner: Sharon Romeo. Continue reading→

Local company loses their warehouse to a fire caused by oily rags

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Fires, OCFA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana warehouse of the Red Hill Construction company, located at 1431 E St Andrew Place., caught fire on Thursday morning after rags soaked in a wood-staining chemical spontaneously combusted overnight, according to the O.C. Register.

Thirty Orange County Fire Authority firefighters arrived at the scene at 7:11 a.m., and extinguished the fire. The fire caused $150K damage to the building and $200K damage to its contents. Continue reading→

Mayor Pulido will honor the Little Sparrow Café at the next City Council meeting

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Miguel Pulido, Restaurants, Santa Ana 5 Comments

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: Mayor Pulido Honors the Highly Acclaimed Little Sparrow Café

Mayor Miguel Pulido will present the owners of the Little Sparrow Café with the Exceptional Service Award for their outstanding contributions to the City of Santa Ana at Tuesday’s City Council Meeting.

Armed with a dream to create a better food culture in Orange County, Bruce Marsh and his wife, Santa Ana native, Naseem Aflakian, partnered with Jenny Le to open the “Little Sparrow Cafe,” a French inspired bistro in Downtown Santa Ana in May 2013. Despite having no formal training in the restaurant business, they converted a vacant café space on Main and Third into an award winning culinary hotspot. Continue reading→

The year 1968 comes alive at the Bowers Museum starting on June 13

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Historical, Santa Ana 4 Comments

MEDIA CONTACT:

Victor Payan, Latino Audience Engagement Specialist, e: Vpayan@bowers.org, p: 714.567.3645

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE YEAR 1968 COMES ALIVE IN AN EXTRAORDINARY NEW EXHIBIT AT THE BOWERS MUSEUM JUNE 13-SEPTEMBER 13

Major multimedia exhibit will explore twelve months of relentless, culture-shifting, life-changing, memory-stamping events

Santa Ana, CA (May 28, 2015)—The year 1968 was a turning point for a generation coming of age and a nation at war, and the aftermath can still be felt today. The Vietnam War, protests and assassinations were on the news. Peace signs, love-ins and psychedelic rock were on the scene. From the darkest hours to the incredible highs, the year 1968 comes alive in an extraordinary new exhibit at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana June 13 through September 13, 2015. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man reportedly high on drugs when he crashed into several businesses

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Crime, Drugs, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster Leave a comment

A Santa Ana man identified as 48-year-old Tuan Anh Truong of Santa Ana was arrested Wednesday afternoon after police said he crashed a stolen vehicle into three Santa Ana businesses and a home before leading police on a 20-minute chase that ended in Westminster, according to the O.C. Register.

The SAPD started getting calls at around 1:30 pm in the afternoon that a man behind the wheel of a white GMC Sierra truck was driving unsafely and crashing into several businesses. Continue reading→