New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: October 2016

Mother’s Market will celebrate their 38th anniversary with a Harvest Fair in Santa Ana on 10/15

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Family, Food, Santa Ana Leave a comment

For Immediate Release

MOTHER’S MARKET & KITCHEN CELEBRATES 38TH ANNIVERSARY WITH HARVEST FAIR AND PUBLIC EVENT SATURDAY, OCT. 15

Public Invited to Participated in Free Event with Giveaways, Music, Samples, Food Tastings, Face Painters and More

COSTA MESA and SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 7, 2016 – Mother’s Market & Kitchen, a natural and organic foods retailer with seven Orange County locations, will celebrate its 38th anniversary with a special Harvest Fair and public event on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 at the company’s Santa Ana store located at 151 E Memory Ln. The special event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

At the event, Mother’s Market and its partners will offer many free samples from various store categories, including supplements, body care, grocery, food, produce, and tastings from its popular juice bar. Continue reading→

Two OCDA employees honored for partnering with O.C. Probation to stop truancy

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in OC Probation, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Deputy District Attorney Patti Sanchez, Courtesy of the O.C. Register

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: October 6, 2016

OCDA JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER DDA AND PARALEGAL RECOGNIZED BY OC PROBATION DEPARTMENT CHIEF FOR THEIR WORK ON TRUANCY RESPONSE TEAM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Deputy District Attorney Patti Sanchez and Paralegal Eleni Savvaides were recognized by Orange County Probation Department (OCPD) Chief Steven Sentman for their work on the Truancy Response Team at the Annual Chief’s Award Ceremony. Sanchez and Savvaides are currently assigned to the Juvenile Justice Center and were recognized on Oct. 4, 2016.

DDA Sanchez has represented the OCDA on the Truancy Response Team for over nine years, and Savvaides has served for more than two years. The Truancy Response Team is a collaborative group with representatives from Community Service Programs – Mental Health Provider, FACES Parenting Class, the OCDA, OCPD, Public Defender’s Office, Social Services Agency, and various school districts. The team focuses on at-risk youth who have chronic truancy issues in Orange County schools. Over 25 school districts participate in the Truancy Response Program to provide outreach to students and their families in school and in the home, with emphasis on preventing truancy and addressing chronic truancy using the collaborative court process. Each year, over 2,000 students and their parents receive guidance, instruction, and resources to prevent and address truancy behavior. Continue reading→

OCDA gang investigator recognized for collaborating with the O.C. Probation Dept.

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: October 5, 2016

OCDA GRIP INVESTIGATOR RECOGNIZED BY OC PROBATION DEPARTMENT CHIEF FOR HIS COLLABORATIVE WORK

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Investigator Kevin Ruiz was recognized by Orange County Probation Department Chief Steven Sentman for his collaborative work at the Annual Chief’s Award Ceremony. Investigator Ruiz is currently assigned to the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP) and was recognized yesterday, Oct. 4, 2016, as a collaborative partner representing the OCDA.

Investigator Ruiz has been in law enforcement for 40 years, retiring as a corporal in the Santa Ana Police Department Gang Unit before joining the OCDA. Investigator Ruiz trains probation officers on officer safety and search and seizure methodology, and has earned respect from his peers for his dedication and teamwork skills. With OC GRIP, Investigator Ruiz partners with police departments to provide education and recreational opportunities for at-risk students, which then increases school attendance and decreases gang activity. Most of these students had never participated in teams or programs outside of school due to a lack of resources or familial support. OC GRIP also supports students by holding hundreds of parent intervention meetings, faculty presentations and gang prevention education courses prepared and delivered by law enforcement agents. OC GRIP sponsored clubs and camps provide a safe, confidence-building environment for at-risk juveniles across the county. Continue reading→

The SAUSD school board candidates all agreed with each other at tonight’s forum

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Alfonso Alvarez, Beatriz Mendoza, Bruce T. Bauer, Democratic Party, Education, Mark McLoughlin, Politics, Rigo Rodriguez, Santa Ana, SAUSD 3 Comments

Latino Health Access hosted an SAUSD School Board candidates forum tonight. All of the candidates participated except for Cecilia Iglesias and Angie Cano.

Norberto Santana, the Editor of the Voice of OC, a digital publication, served as the event moderator. The questions however were not posed by him. Instead a panel of local intermediate and high school kids asked the questions. Continue reading→

The next SAUSD School Board Candidates Forum is set for Oct. 17

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Santa Ana Youth and Government is hosting an SAUSD School Board Candidates Forum on October 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 1532 E Chestnut, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

This is the 3rd candidates’ forum hosted by the Santa Ana Youth and Government Delegation.

I am told that all of the SAUSD School Board candidates will be appearing at this forum. They include: Continue reading→

Woman charged with forcing children to commit lewd acts in front of her

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Brandi Alma Valadez

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Case # 16CF2555

Date: October 6, 2016

WOMAN CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILDREN BY FORCING THEM TO COMMIT LEWD ACTS ON EACH OTHER IN FRONT OF HER

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A woman has been charged with sexually abusing children by forcing them to commit lewd acts on each other in front of her. Brandi Alma Valadez, 40, was charged on Oct. 3, 2016 with two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, two felony counts of forcible lewd acts on a child under 14, and two felony counts of child abuse, with a sentencing enhancement for multiple victims. The defendant has lived in multiple cities. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Valadez is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for a continued arraignment on Nov. 4, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

In August 2014, Valadez, who knew the victims and was in a position of trust, is accused of being aware that John Doe 1, who was under the age of 13, committed lewd acts on Jane Doe, who was under the age of seven, in her residence. The defendant is accused of forcing John Doe 2, who was under the age of 10, and Jane Doe to engage in lewd acts with each other. Valadez is also accused of sexually assaulting Jane Doe. The defendant is accused of abusing Jane Doe and John Doe 2 by willfully inflicting unjustifiable physical pain and mental suffering on the children. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana Library will celebrate their National Medal on Oct. 11

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Literature, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Santa Ana Public Library Celebrates the National Medal

SANTA ANA, CA – To honor the Santa Ana Library for being selected to receive a 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the Santa Ana Public Library will hold a celebration to commemorate this landmark achievement.

The event will take place on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Santa Ana Public Library. Guests will enjoy refreshments, special guest speakers, photo opportunities, and the chance to explore library programs and services. Those who attend will also have the opportunity to share their experiences with the library through interviews conducted by the Library of Congress affiliated StoryCorps. The event will be free and open to the public in gratitude for the community’s longtime commitment to the library’s mission. Continue reading→

Could campaign funds solve everybody’s rent woes in Santa Ana?

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Ana Urzua Alcaraz, Jose Solorio, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Ana Urzua Alcaraz and Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez

By: Ana Urzua Alcaraz, Courtesy of the Voice of OC

Learning about candidate Jose Solorio’s use of election funds to pay for his new apartment got me thinking about how many more people could use some funds to pay their owns rents this month.

Renters make nearly half of our City of Santa Ana, and in neighborhoods like Lacy, by the train station, it’s more like 94%. Homelessness lies at the feet of this housing crisis and has residents of my ward and others yearning for a solution. Housing insecurity is made real by an economic “recovery” that has not reached everyone equally. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Fair Housing Workshop set for Oct. 20 at City Hall

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Housing, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: FAIR HOUSING WORKSHOP / TALLER DE DERECHOS PARA INQUILINOS / FAIR HOUSING HỘI THẢO

The City of Santa Ana and Fair Housing Council of Orange County invite you to attend a Fair Housing Workshop on October 20, 2016, at 5 p.m. For more information click here. Continue reading→

The entire Santa Ana City Council has endorsed Bruce Bauer for the SAUSD School Board

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Bruce T. Bauer, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

SANTA ANA CITY COUNCILMEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSE BRUCE BAUER FOR SANTA ANA SCHOOL BOARD

Santa Ana, CA – The Councilmembers of the City of Santa Ana have unanimously endorsed Bruce Bauer in the race for the Santa Ana Unified School District Board. Bruce Bauer is currently the Vice-Chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission.

The City of Santa Ana City Council is composed of six members who are elected on a City-wide basis: Continue reading→

Supervisor Do is hosting a Town Hall meeting on Homelessness on 10/15

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Andrew Do, homeless, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is hosting a Town Hall meeting on Oct. 15, 2016 about Homelessness, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the County of Orange, located at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., in Santa Ana.

In the past year, Orange County has taken major steps to help the homeless and end the cycle of poverty:

• Appointed a New Homeless Czar to Cut Red Tape
• Supported Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans
• Opened an Emergency Shelter in Santa Ana
• Improved Patient Access to Mental Health Programs
• Broke Ground on the County’s First Year-Round Shelter Continue reading→

Celebration of DTSA’s selection as a Great Neighborhood set for Oct. 20

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Neighborhood Associations, Planning, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: Downtown Santa Ana Recognized As One of America’s Great Neighborhoods

The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce that its Downtown was recognized as one of five Great Neighborhoods in America by the American Planning Association (APA). Each year, as part of its Great Places in America program, the APA recognizes exceptional streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces in the United States. These places, according to the APA, demonstrate exceptional character, quality, and planning—attributes that enrich communities, facilitate economic growth, and inspire others around the country.

Regarding the distinction, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido states, “the best is yet to come in Downtown Santa Ana. Thanks to careful planning and dedicated leadership from elected officials and City staff, Santa Ana is poised to benefit from major infrastructure investments like the OC Street Car. The City’s foresight in adopting a Transit Zoning Code has prepared Santa Ana to leverage this investment by catalyzing new housing construction, promoting new economic development opportunities, and encouraging more sustainable transportation choices.” Continue reading→

The new transitional center for the homeless in Santa Ana is now open

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana’s Courtyard for the Homeless

Transitional Center for Civic Center Homeless Opens

A round-the-clock transitional center with emergency shelter beds and enhanced services for those without permanent housing who have congregated in the Orange County Civic Center has opened at the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal, which has been renamed “The Courtyard.”

About 225 lunches were served after the center opened Wednesday mid-morning; about 100 people reserved space to sleep overnight. Continue reading→

Man suspected of multiple burglaries arrested by the SAPD

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Arrests Wanted Suspect In GTA & Felony Evading Investigation. Suspect Booked On Additional Charges Of Commercial Burglary

Arrested: Maurice Alexander Topps (42) Laguna Woods

Suspect Maurice Topps was taken into custody on 10/3/2016 while SAPD officers were investigating a computer theft he was involved in at the Santa Ana College Campus.

Based on information gathered during this investigation, to date, Maurice Topps has been identified in at least seven commercial burglaries in the cities of Santa Ana, Orange, and Anaheim. Additional burglaries are being investigated, as well as investigative leads for additional suspects involved in the burglaries. Continue reading→

A Santa Ana man was killed in a car crash in Lake Forest on Saturday

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Photo Courtesy of the Seegmiller Law Firm

The Orange County Coroner’s office has confirmed that Jose Barraza-Soto of Santa Ana, 40, was killed last Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, when two-vehicles crashed in Lake Forest, near the Foothill Towne Centre, according to the Patch.

A 2016 Hyundai collided with a 1997 Ford F150 truck, which Barraza-Soto was driving, at around 2:20 a.m. at Alton Parkway and Towne Center Drive, according to the O.C. Register. Video of the crash scene is available here. Continue reading→