Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: June 2016

Downtown Santa Ana Street Breakfast set for June 12

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Santa Ana Street Breakfast set for June 12

On Sunday, June 12th, 2016 a tasty meal that celebrates the resiliency and spirit of the Santa Ana community will be provided by your downtown business district partners and the City of Santa Ana. With a centralized kitchen in the middle of La Calle Cuatro (4th Street) we will highlight our amazing chefs from our downtown restaurants as well as Valley High School’s Culinary Academy who will cook for the Santa Ana community in the middle of the street.

The Historic Street Breakfast Concept: Imagine the radical beauty of over 1,000 community members sitting down on a Sunday morning to break bread together in the middle of our downtown in Santa Ana, preparing to start their day? Without a doubt, eating together as a community is revolutionary and an amazing way to show our civic pride. Inspired by the brilliance of the Historic Fiesta Del Oro Street Breakfast organized by the Santa Ana Breakfast Club in 1933, we are restarting the tradition by hosting a community street breakfast featuring tasty chilaquiles and good ol’ fashioned pancakes. Continue reading→

The early election returns show Correa in the lead for the 46th Congressional District

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The early returns show that Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez and incumbent First District Supervisor Andrew Do are headed for a November runoff election as they are currently in the top two in the race for the First District, according to the O.C. Voter Registrar.

Do is leading with 13,790 votes while Martinez so far has 9,732 votes. Garden Grove Councilman Phat Bui is behind them both with 7,003 votes. Continue reading→

Santa Ana 4th of July fireworks update

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City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: SAPD Reminds You to Have a “Safe and Sane” 4th of July / El Departamento de Policía Le Recuerda Que Tenga un 4 De Julio “Seguro y Sano”

As our Nation’s Independence Day approaches, the Santa Ana Police Department would like to remind everyone that only fireworks bearing the “Safe and Sane” seal are allowed for use within the city limits during the following days and hours:

  • July 1st – Noon to 10:00 pm
  • July 2nd & 3rd – 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
  • July 4th – 10:00 am to 9:00 pm

Continue reading→

Free DTSA lunch trolley set to begin on Tuesday

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City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Free DTSA Lunch Trolley Set to Begin on Tuesday

The City of Santa Ana and the Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) Restaurant Association are happy to announce the launch of the DTSA Lunch Trolley on Tuesday, June 7th. The free trolley service will operate Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30 am-1:30 pm.

The trolley will provide an alternative transportation option for Civic Center visitors and staff who would like to explore the many dining options downtown, without having to drive or worry about looking for parking. The trolley will run in a continuous loop approximately every 15 minutes. Continue reading→

The Delhi Center will host a Summer Enrichment Day Camp from June 20 to Aug. 18

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The Delhi Center, in partnership with Active Learning and MASA, is hosting a Summer Enrichment Day Camp in English and Spanish from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 20 through August 18, 2016. This day camp is for children from ages 6 to 13. Lunch and snacks will be provided daily.

The summer day camp will include visual and performing arts classes, media arts training, and an end of summer talent show.

Participants will learn interviewing and storytelling techniques and will explore the arts, culture and the use of mixed media to create a film to showcase the rich history of their lives and their community. Continue reading→

Middle College High School student recognized for her volunteer work as a Big Sister

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Big Brothers Big Sisters Names Inaugural ‘Angelitos Award’ Recipients

New award recognizes teen volunteers for dedication to the organization’s High School Bigs mentoring program

SANTA ANA, Calif., June 2, 2016 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, Orange County’s premier youth mentoring organization, is launching a new award named in honor of local auxiliary group Angelitos de Oro. The auxiliary is a major supporter of High School Bigs, one of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ three one-to-one mentoring programs offered to children facing adversity.

Receiving the inaugural award are two dedicated teen volunteers through High School Bigs. The program matches high school students one-to-one with children at local elementary schools in weekly site-based sessions facilitated by a BBBS program specialist. During these sessions, matches discuss academic achievement, self-esteem, bullying and relationship-building. Continue reading→

Young man from Santa Ana earns the Dean’s Award at Westmont College

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Evan Kramer of Santa Ana earned the Dean’s Award for excellence in the classroom, superior contributions to an intercollegiate athletic team, and deep faith in Christ.

Kramer, a cross country athlete, was president of Westmont’s chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an economics honor society. The Westmont Golden Eagle winner earned All-GSAC honors in cross country at the GSAC Championships and was named the GSAC Cross Country Runner of the Month in September. He served as an intern with the James L. Stamps Foundation and in the missions’ ministry at the Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa. He volunteered as the junior high worship leader and was a camp counselor at Forest Home Christian Camps and a cross country coach with Foothill High School in Santa Ana. He earned a degree in economics and business with a minor in communication studies and a 3.44 GPA. Continue reading→

OCDA prosecutor and investigator recognized for fighting financial fraud

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: June 3, 2016

OCDA PROSECUTOR AND INVESTIGATOR RECEIVE AWARDS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FINANCIAL CRIMES INVESTIGATORS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Deputy District Attorney Donde McCament and Investigator Jennifer Friedl of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) were recognized this week by the Southern California Chapter of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) for their outstanding commitment and exceptional performances in combatting insurance fraud. Friedl received the prestigious Rick Brady Financial Crimes Investigator of the Year award, and McCament received the William D. Neumann Prosecutor of the Year Award.

Each year, the IAFCI honors those prosecutors and investigators who demonstrate an outstanding dedication to advancing the ideals of criminal justice and fighting financial crimes. Continue reading→

Two Santa Ana men and six others convicted of trying to hook up with prostitutes

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Date: June 3, 2016

EIGHT MEN CONVICTED OF LOITERING WITH INTENT TO COMMIT PROSTITUTION OR AGREEING TO ENGAGE IN PROSTITUTION

*Conviction details of sex purchasers are featured on the OCDA website

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) convicted eight men in May 2016 of loitering with the intent to commit prostitution or agreeing to engage in prostitution. The defendants in these cases approached a woman whom they believed to be a prostitute, or loitered in areas known for prostitution and human trafficking in Orange County. Each of the defendants below agreed to engage, or loitered with the intent to engage, in commercial sex with a woman and were subsequently arrested by law enforcement.

Defendant/Conviction/Sentence: Continue reading→

Man charged with pimping a 13-year-old girl in Santa Ana

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF1494

Date: June 3, 2016

MAN CHARGED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING, PIMPING, AND PANDERING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN ORANGE COUNTY

*Victim in this case is the youngest filed victim since the HEAT Unit’s establishment in 2013

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged today with human trafficking, pimping, and pandering a 13-year-old girl in Orange County. John Wayne Calhoun, 30, San Bernardino, is charged with one felony count of human trafficking of a minor, two felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, one felony count of pimping a minor, and one felony count of pandering with a minor under 16 years old by procuring with sentencing enhancement allegations for human trafficking by force or fear and a 2012 felony conviction for inflicting corporal injury upon a spouse or cohabitant in San Bernardino County. If convicted, Calhoun faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. Calhoun is scheduled for a continued arraignment on June 24, 2016, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Santa Ana celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Custom Auto Service

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City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Advisory: Santa Ana Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Custom Auto Service

The City of Santa Ana congratulates the Robert Escalante family as they celebrate the Golden Anniversary of their business by declaring June 4, 2016 “Custom Auto Service Day” in Santa Ana. In 1966, Robert Escalante’s mentor, William Lauer, founded Custom Auto Service as a full service restoration facility, catering to owners of Packards, Studebakers and other fine collectable automobiles. Today, Custom Auto Service stands as a hallmark of the American dream at its landmark location at Third & French in the historic core of Downtown Santa Ana. The business operates out of a historic former electric car garage built in 1919 during the “roaring twenties”. In addition, Custom Auto Service is home to the Packards International Motor Car Club, whose mission is the preservation and promotion of all things Packard.

The event will kick off at 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 4th with many dignitaries on hand to celebrate and congratulate the three generations of the Escalante family who are involved in both civic life and the business community. Presentations and speeches are scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm. Custom Auto Service is located at 302 French Street, Santa Ana, CA. For press access, please contact Alma Flores at (714) 720-2109 or via email at aflores@santa-ana.org. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for a rapist who pretends to be an undercover cop

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Seeking Media and Public’s Assistance Identifying Suspect Responsible For A Series Of Sexual Assaults

The Santa Ana Police Department is seeking the media and public’s help identifying the person responsible for committing a series of sexual assaults. One assault occurred in August 2015, and two additional assaults occurred in January 2016.

Each of the assaults occurred on Harbor Boulevard near Hazard in Santa Ana and each involved victims who admitted to being prostitutes. In each case, the suspect approached the victim and claimed to be an undercover officer. After coaxing each victim into his vehicle, the suspect drove the victims to secluded locations where he sexually assaulted them. Continue reading→

Santa Ana is seeking to pay an artist up to $25K to paint a downtown mural

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City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: Downtown Mural Project – Call for Artist

The City of Santa Ana announces the “Downtown Mural Project,” an exciting opportunity for artists to contribute to the continued development of the City’s historic downtown. As part of a broader garage improvement plan, which also includes the installation of LED lighting and automated payment equipment, the City will make available $50,000 for artists to create murals on public parking garage façades. These funds are available to assist with project-related expenses, such as materials, liability insurance, city permits, and artist’s fees. The maximum grant amount for an individual project is $25,000. Interested candidates should respond to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) by June 30, 2016. Continue reading→

Santa Ana calls on residents and business to help make the streets safer for pedestrians and bikes

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City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Santa Ana Calls on Residents and Business to Help Make the Streets Safer for Pedestrians and Bicycles

Imagine a Central Santa Ana where walking and riding your bike is safe and stress free. That is what the City of Santa Ana is asking community members to do during a series of interactive workshops, bike tours, and walking tours from June 2 through June 4 and on Saturday, June 18 at the Southwest Senior Center (2201 W McFadden Ave, Santa Ana, CA · (714) 647-5306). They recognize that those who live, work, and play within the area are the real transportation experts and they need your help. Participants are welcome and encouraged to participate on all workshop days. So come on out and join us for great discussions, walks, and bicycle rides throughout Central Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Online volunteer tutors from businesses meet SAUSD 1st grade students for the first time

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2016

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

ONLINE VOLUNTEER TUTORS FROM BUSINESSES MEET FIRST GRADE STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME FACE TO FACE AFTER TUTORING THEM IN READING ALL SCHOOL YEAR

(Santa Ana) – With the goal of every child reading at grade level by the end of the third grade, the Santa Ana Unified School District, with the partnership of Innovations for Learning, and the support of Orange County United Way, launched “Read Santa Ana Read,” a volunteer program supporting nearly 250 first graders at reading at the beginning of the 2015- 2016 school year. Volunteer tutors from Wells Fargo and PIMCO will finally get an opportunity to meet the first graders face to face whom they have been tutoring in reading all year long on June 3, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at Walker Elementary School, located at 811 E. Bishop Avenue in Santa Ana, and June 7, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Madison Elementary School, located at 1124 East Hobart Street in Santa Ana. For 30 minutes once a week, business volunteers from the community have helped first graders in the Santa Ana Unified School District learn to read without ever leaving their desk. Through an online tutoring program, Tutormate, volunteers have been able to interact with our students remotely from their computers and tablets and tutor and encourage them to become strong readers,” said, Michelle Rodriguez, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning of the Santa Ana Unified School District. Continue reading→