New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: September 2016

The SAUSD’s 2016 Walk to School Day is set for Oct. 5

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Fitness and Safety Promoted at Walk-to-School Day – October 5, 2016

Kennedy Elementary School

Join the Santa Ana Unified School District, the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Santa Ana School Police and Santa Ana Police Department as they participate in the Annual International Walk to School Day. Students, parents, and community members will take part in this global event to bring awareness to the importance of practicing safe walking, biking, traffic skills, and physical activity on October 5, 2016. Continue reading→

The SAPD is conducting a training exercise in the Civic Center this morning

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, homeless, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Photo by Igmar Rodas

If you saw the caution tape around Santa Ana’s Civic Center this morning please don’t panic. It is just an SAPD training exercise, according to my sources.

The Civic Center has become a real problem over the past year as the homeless population has exploded. Just a few weeks ago an altercation between SAPD police officers and a homeless man led to a police shooting. The homeless man died as a result of his injuries. Continue reading→

A man tried to murder an SAUSD school police officer today after invading a home

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Drugs, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Vince Sarmiento 6 Comments

We have written quite a bit this year about the massive increase in violent crime in Santa Ana – and how shorthanded our police department is. What we don’t often talk about is how much our SAUSD School Police do to keep our community safe.

Today, for example, there was an outrageous episode that started just before 3 p.m., when the SAUSD School Police Dispatch got a call from SAUSD employees who were accosted by a male suspect while they were in a parked vehicle in the parking lot between one of our local elementary schools and one of our city parks. I am withholding their identity to protect my source – but I can tell you that this happened in Councilman Roman Reyna’s Ward. Continue reading→

Orange County older adult profile released by the O.C. Healthy Aging Initiative

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Seniors Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: September 29, 2016

Contact: Jessica Good, Public Information Officer, Media Line: (714) 834-2178, Email: JGood@ochca.com

Orange County Healthy Aging Initiative Releases Orange County Older Adult Profile

(Santa Ana, CA) – This week, the Orange County Healthy Aging Initiative (OCHAI) released the Orange County Older Adult Profile, 2016. The report was funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency and highlights key health, social and economic indicators impacting the health and well-being of Orange County older adults.

“This is the first comprehensive look at seniors that the County has led in collaboration with public, private and nonprofit partners who serve this population, in nearly 15 years,” said Dr. Helene Calvet, Deputy County Health Officer and OCHAI Co-Chair. “We hope this report raises awareness in the community of the needs of this growing population, so that we can work together to provide better resources and services to meet their needs.” Continue reading→

Memory Lane Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony set for Oct. 4

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Bicycles, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 1 Comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: Memory Lane Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony/ Ceremonia de Inauguración del Parque Memory Lane

SANTA ANA, CA – The City of Santa Ana invites you to the Memory Lane Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. Located along the Santa Ana River Bike trail and Memory Lane, this new half-acre park was created to offer recreational opportunities to the community and provide a charming rest stop for joggers, bicyclists and equestrian riders along the Santa Ana River.

Influenced by native landscaping including a river rock bio-swale basin to mimic the local river, Memory Lane Park is sure to become the little hidden gem in the center of the City. This modern recreational area includes hitching posts and watering units for horses; bike racks and fix-it equipment for bicyclists; as well as fully equipped play and fitness areas for general users. Along with these amenities, this enchanting park also includes picnic tables, drinking fountains, river rock shade structure, and a curving granite trail along native succulents and plants. Continue reading→

Genki Sushi launching their new Bullet Express with a Grand Opening on Oct. 7

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Food, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Genki Sushi, located at Santa Ana’s MainPlace Mall, is launching their new Bullet Express with a new Grand Opening on October 7. The grand opening festivities will include door prizes for the first 200 customers! The doors will open at 11 a.m.

This new ordering system will feature a touch screen – and the freshly made sushi will be delivered to your table on an express rail (as pictured above). Continue reading→

The Democratic Foundation of O.C. has endorsed Bruce Bauer for the SAUSD School Board

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Bruce T. Bauer, Democratic Party, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bruce Bauer, 949-293-5311, bruce@bauer4sausd.com

THE DEMOCRATIC FOUNDATION OF ORANGE COUNTY ENDORSES BRUCE BAUER FOR SANTA ANA SCHOOL BOARD

Santa Ana, CA – The Democratic Foundation of Orange County has endorsed Bruce Bauer in the race for the Santa Ana Unified School District Board. Bruce Bauer currently the Vice-Chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission.

Founded in 1983, the DFOC is comprised of a broad coalition of professional, business, labor, environmental, civil rights and political leaders who are dedicated to developing the financial resources to support an effective Democratic presence in Orange County. The DFOC is known for sponsoring high-profile events to increase the visibility of Democrats and Democratic ideas. In addition, the DFOC provides a forum to develop and discuss political and public policy issues of local and national importance. Continue reading→

The FBI says violent crime is up 51.87% and homicides are up 61.54% in Santa Ana

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Carlos Rojas, Crime, FBI, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Benavides and Tinajero left the Public Safety Committee meeting early to go hang out with Gavin Newsom

Did you know that our Santa Ana City Council Members rarely show up for their own public Committee meetings? The Voice of OC published an expose about this here. In that post they revealed that the Santa Ana Public Safety and Neighborhood Improvement Committee meetings on March 22, May 24 and July 26 were all canceled. This in a city that is in the grips of an unprecedented rise in violent crime!

The members of that Committee, which includes Council Members Sal Tinajero and David Benavides, finally held a Public Safety and Neighborhood Improvement Committee meeting yesterday. Incredibly they had not held a meeting of this Committee since January of this year. Their excuse is that they don’t have time for these meetings because they are a part-time City Council. (Their solution is their Measure PP – which will give them a 700% pay raise). Continue reading→

Property tax assistance now available for O.C. homeowners

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shari L. Freidenrich, (714) 834-7625, Treasurer@ttc.ocgov.com

DATE: September 27, 2016

Property Tax Assistance Now Available for Homeowners!

Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich announces the reinstatement of the California Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP) and that the application and accompanying information is available on the Office of the State Controller’s website at sco.ca.gov/ardtax_prop_tax_postponement.html, by calling 800- 952-5661, or by emailing the state at postponement@sco.ca.gov. Continue reading→

Transient sentenced to four years in prison after he broke into the S.A. Zoo and claimed to be Tarzan

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Mental Health, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Cases 15WF1740 & 15WF1737

Date: September 28, 2016

MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR TWO SEPARATE BURGLARY AND ROBBERY CASES

WESTMINSTER, Calif. – A man was convicted and sentenced yesterday to four years in state prison for two separate burglary and robbery cases. John Williams Rodenborn, 38, Huntington Beach, pleaded guilty to one felony count of second degree robbery and one felony count of criminal threats with sentencing enhancement for two prior felony convictions for burglary in 1996 in Placer and 1999 in Orange (Case 15WF1740). He also pleaded guilty to one felony count of second degree commercial burglary and one misdemeanor count of aggravated trespassing (Case 15WF1737). Continue reading→

Steven Nguyen endorsed for the RSCCD Board by three State Assembly Members

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Steven Nguyen Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: Date: 9/27/16

Contact: Scott Hart, (949) 230-6998

ASSEMBLY MEMBERS YOUNG KIM, MATT HARPER AND TRAVIS ALLEN ENDORSE STEVEN A. NGUYEN FOR RANCHO SANTIAGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT AREA 5

Santa Ana (CA)— Steven Nguyen, candidate for Rancho Santiago Community College District Area 5, announced today that he has been endorsed by Assembly Members Young Kim, Matt Harper and Travis Allen.

“I am proud to endorse Steven A. Nguyen in his race for Rancho Santiago Community College District,” said Assemblywoman Kim. “He has demonstrated his commitment to Santa Ana over the years and continually works to bring the community together. Steven has the vision to serve the RSCCD Board and Students.” Continue reading→

Friends of the S.A. Library book sale set for Oct. 7 and 8

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Civic Affairs, Literature Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: Friends of the Santa Ana Library’s Children and Young Adult Book Sale

The Friends of The Santa Ana Public Library will hold a Children and Young Adult Book Sale on Friday, October 7, 2016 and Saturday, October 8, 2016. The sale will take place in the Basement Book Store at the Main Library. The Main Library is located at 26 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, 92701.

On Friday, October 7th the sale will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Saturday, October 8th the sale will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and the famous $3-a-Bag sale will run from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Continue reading→

Campaign fundraiser for mayoral challenger Benjamin Vazquez set for Oct. 5

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Benjamin Vazquez, Luis Mier, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Valerie Amezcua 5 Comments

Perhaps the biggest knock on Santa Ana Mayoral challenger Benjamin Vazquez, besides his aggressively liberal politics, is the doubt that he can raise enough money to seriously contend against longtime Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. Vazquez is attempting to answer that doubt with a campaign fundraiser set for Oct. 5, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Robbins Nest, located at 207 W. 2nd St., in DTSA.

The Vazquez fundraiser is hosted by SAUSD Trustee Valerie Amezcua and her dad, former Mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua, a criminal defense attorney who regularly defends Santa Ana gangbangers in court; as well as Dr. Arturo Lomeli, a Dentist; Eddie Quillares (a local insurance agent); Luis Mier (a local bail bondsman); and Santa Ana City Councilman Sal Tinajero. Continue reading→

Construction and maintenance projects will disrupt Metrolink service in October

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Metrolink, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: Metrolink – Major Construction and Maintenance Projects to Impact October Weekend Service

Orange County, Inland-Empire County and 91/Perris Valley lines to be affected

Metrolink will experience major service interruptions the second, third and fourth weekends in October due to several coordinated major construction and maintenance projects that will improve safety and reliability for Metrolink passengers.

Scheduled annual maintenance will take place the weekends of October 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23, and will substantially impact service on the Orange County, Inland Empire-Orange County and 91/Perris Valley lines. Continue reading→

Body cameras and police hiring to be discussed at the Santa Ana Public Safety meeting on 9/27

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL MEETING

September 27, 2016, 4:30 P.M.

City Hall Ross Annex, Conference Room 1600, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California

AGENDA ITEMS

1. Approval of Minutes of the 2-22-16 Meeting

2. City Surplus Budget Review (Surplus Budget Presentation) – Francisco Gutierrez, Exec. Director, Finance and Management Services Agency {Strategic Plan Goal No. 4, 3b and 3c} Continue reading→