Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: April 2016

Get a coupon for $4 off the Bowers Museum Mummies of the World exhibit at Chronic Tacos

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Deals, Food, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Get Wrapped Up with Mummies of the World and Chronic Tacos

Experience the World’s Largest Exhibition of Mummies and Savor California-Inspired Mexican Fare with New Cross Promotion

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Chronic Tacos, the California-inspired Mexican Grill, and Bowers Museum, Orange County’s finest arts museum, embark on an upcoming cross-promotion that highlights the debut of the nationally recognized collection: Mummies of the World: The Exhibition. Starting now, guests who dine at any Orange County Chronic Tacos location will receive a coupon for $4 off an adult ticket for Mummies of the World. Guests attending the Mummies of the World exhbit at Bowers Museum will also receive vouchers with a special code to text to receive a free taco with the purchase of a drink.

“Now in our 14th city, we’re excited to finally open our doors in Orange County,” said Marcus Corwin, President of American Exhibitions Inc. “We are excited to be working with Chronic Tacos, a partner who shares our values in giving back to the local communities that we work in.” Continue reading→

Another hip DTSA restaurant closes as North Left goes the way of The Crosby

Posted on by Posted in Business, Crime, Food, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The North Left, the downtown Santa Ana restaurant that replaced The Crosby after the awful murder of one of their patrons, who was literally kicked to death outside the restaurant by two women in 2014, has closed their doors according to the O.C. Register.

The owners, Phil Nisco, Chris Alfaro and Marc Yamaoka, hired Ryan Adams, a Laguna Beach chef at Three Seventy Common, to oversee the new operations at North Left, which opened pretty quickly after The Crosby shut down. Continue reading→

Hometown Buffet has closed their location on South Bristol Street

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One of the Hometown Buffet locations in Santa Ana (at 2321 South Bristol St.) has closed down, just weeks after their parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to the O.C. Register.

HomeTown Buffet’s parent company, Ovation, third Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing in eight years last month. They may close up to 300 locations of restaurants that include Old Country Buffet, Ryan’s, Fire Mountain and Tahoe Joe’s, according to CNBC. Continue reading→

Man badly injured in a car-to-car shooting near Mater Dei High School

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

An unidentified man was shot twice and critically injured in Santa Ana on Tuesday evening, according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting apparently happened at around 6:30 p.m. at the 1300 block of South Bristol Street, according to the SAPD.

A man in his 30s was found by SAPD police officers sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with two gunshots wounds to his upper body. Continue reading→

Realtor arrested for defrauding escrow customers in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Arrest Suspect Real Estate Fraud – Believe There May Be Additional Victims

On April 5, 2016, Santa Ana Police Department Economic Crimes Detectives arrested Andres Pacheco, 39, of Yorba Linda, for the theft of over a half million dollars. Pacheco was arrested at the Orange County Courthouse after making an appearance on an unrelated case.

Andres Pacheco is a Real Estate Broker and owner of Franklin Equity Corporation/Signature Escrow, based in Santa Ana. In July of 2015, Santa Ana Police Economic Crimes Detectives were contacted by a victim, who claimed he was defrauded by Pacheco. The investigation revealed Pacheco’s escrow company was holding $186,000 in escrow, pending completion of a real estate transaction. When the real estate transaction was cancelled, the victim was due his $186,000; however Pacheco’s escrow company failed to return the money. Continue reading→

80-year-old missionary charged with molesting young girls in Tustin

Posted on by Posted in Churches and Religion, Crime, Santa Ana, Tustin 2 Comments

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF0858

Date: April 5, 2016

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF 80-YEAR-OLD MISSIONARY CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSULTING TWO GIRLS UNDER AGE 10

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Tustin Police Department (TPD) are seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of an 80-year-old missionary charged with sexually assaulting two girls under the age of 10. Douglas Dale Whinery, 80, Tustin, is charged with four felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, and two felony counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger, with a sentencing enhancement allegation for committing lewd acts upon multiple victims. If convicted, Whinery faces a maximum sentence of 100 years to life in state prison. Whinery was arraigned today, and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on April 12, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At the time of the crime, Whinery was a former pastor and missionary and was actively involved at Olive Crest Church in Santa Ana, Foothills Church in Rancho Santa Margarita, and Grace Church in Yorba Linda. The defendant had access to children. Continue reading→

Noble Franklin Race for Courage, Rock and Roll Street Fair & 5K run set for 5/14 at Saddleback H.S.

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Noble Franklin Race for Courage and Rock and Roll Street Fair – May 14, 2016

Come join in the fun and rock out at Noble Franklin Race for Courage and Rock and Roll Street Fair and 5k race with live bands, great food, and games! 5k only registration fee: $10. 5k registration plus event t-shirt fee: $20. The event will be held at Saddleback High School, located at 2802 S. Flower St., in Santa Ana.

Register at Noble5k.org. Proceeds to benefit Saddleback High School’s student programs and scholarships. Continue reading→

The SAUSD needs your help as they search for a new School Superintendent

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education (SAUSD) would like your input in regards to the search for a new superintendent, and they have requested the help of Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates to help them with the process.

As one of the initial steps in the process, the Board would like to seek the input of staff, parents, community members, and even students, on the desired characteristics and skills that are critical for the next superintendent of SAUSD. Input can be provided in two ways. Continue reading→

Free Santa Ana Community Emergency Response Team training starts on 4/16

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City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training begins April 16th

In the event of a major disaster or a more common emergency, learn how to care for yourself, your family and your neighbors until help arrives in.

The City of Santa Ana is holding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training to provide residents with information and skills to sustain themselves and to assist others when emergency responders can’t respond or until help can arrive. The course is open to all adult residents of Santa Ana, and to teenagers attending with a parent, who can attend all 3 days of the program. Class size is limited! Continue reading→

2016 Primary Election candidates forum set for 4/14 at Santa Ana College

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Connect to Council is hosting a 2016 Primary Election Candidates Forum at Santa Ana College on Thursday, April 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The first panel will feature 1st District Orange County Board of Supervisor candidates and the second panel will include
the 46th District U.S. Congressional Representative candidates.
Continue reading→

Amber Alert issued as violent and dangerous suspect from L.A. kidnaps his child

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Los Angeles County, Orange County Leave a comment

California Highway Patrol

Alert: AMBER ALERT ACTIVATION

THIS MESSAGE IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES:

LOS ANGELES, VENTURA, SAN DIEGO, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO AND IMPERIAL.

ON APRIL 4, 2016, AT 1315 HOURS, AYDEN AVALOS WAS ABDUCTED BY HIS FATHER FROM LOS ANGELES, CA.

AYDEN AVALOS IS AN 18 MO OLD HISPANIC MALE WITH BLACK HAIR AND BROWN EYES, WEARING UNKNOWN CLOTHING. Continue reading→

DUI driver facing a murder trial for killing a 5-year-old girl in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12CF1907

Date: April 1, 2016

DRUNKEN DRIVER TO FACE TRIAL FOR MURDERING 5-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND INJURING SISTER AND MOTHER BY DRIVING THROUGH RED LIGHT AND CRASHING IN CROSSWALK

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver is scheduled to face trial on Monday for murdering a 5-year-old girl and severely injuring the child’s sister and mother by crashing into them in a crosswalk after driving through a red light. Jessicah Louise Cowan, 37, Lake Hughes, is charged with one felony count each of murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, hit and run with permanent injury or death, hit and run with injury, two felony counts of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, two felony counts of driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more causing bodily injury, and an infraction for possession of marijuana while driving. Cowan also faces allegations and sentencing enhancements for causing bodily injury to Eloisa M. and Grisea M., having a blood alcohol content of .20 % or more, fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter, and causing great bodily injury. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Monday, April 4, 2016, at 9:15 a.m. in Department C-35, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Over 180 bilingual volunteers needed for a Santa Ana Citizenship Fair on 4/9

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City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: OVER 180 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CITIZENSHIP FAIR / LLAMADO A 180 VOLUNTARIOS PARA FERIA DE CIUDADANÍA

The City of Santa Ana, in partnership with OCCORD, the Orange County Labor Federation, the Public Law Center and NALEO, is proud to present a FREE Citizenship Fair on Saturday, April 9th at the Southwest Center from 9 am to noon (2201 W McFadden Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704).

There is a need for 180 volunteers, including legal assistance, general volunteers and and Spanish interpreters to help during the fair. To volunteer to be a Spanish interpreter or provide legal assistance contact Roxanna Rosas with PLC at (714) 541-1010 x 264 or rrosas@publiclawcenter.org or visit http://www.publiclawcenter.org. Continue reading→

Mayor Pulido to honor Santa Ana College President Martinez, who is retiring in June

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Education, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: MAYOR PULIDO HONORS SANTA ANA COLLEGE PRESIDENT, DR. ERLINDA MARTINEZ, AS SHE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT IN JUNE

Mayor Miguel Pulido will recognize Dr. Erlinda Martinez, the president of Santa Ana College (SAC), who recently announced she will retire in June of this year. Her retirement marks the culmination of a career in education spanning over four decades. Dr. Martinez has worked at five community colleges and served as president of Santa Ana College for the last 11 years.

An institution which recently celebrated its centennial birthday, Santa Ana College is the region’s community college of choice, a reliable local partner and leader in four-year transfers, known for its excellence, student advancement and access to affordable academic opportunities. Continue reading→

Waste Not OC named model public health practice by the National Assn. of County and City Health Officials

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Food, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Waste Not OC Named Model Public Health Practice by National Association of County and City Health Officials

Waste Not OC, a coalition working to combat food insecurity in Orange County, has been selected as a model practice by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) after demonstrating exemplary and replicable qualities in response to a local public health need.

In Orange County, one in five people faces food insecurity on any given day. To address this growing social problem, the County of Orange Health Care Agency’s Public Health Officer spearheaded the creation of a coalition of food banks, health care representatives, restaurants, food distributors, and community leaders called Waste Not OC. The organization is a public-private partnership with the goal of eliminating hunger and reducing food waste by facilitating surplus food donations from food-producing facilities to local pantries. Continue reading→