New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: October 2016

Civil rights leader Sylvia Mendez endorses Lou Correa for Congress

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, Lou Correa, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: October 4, 2016

Contact: Nina Tognazzini, (949) 933-7533, Shallman Communications

PROMINENT CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER STANDS WITH LOU CORREA

Congressional Candidate for CA-46, Lou Correa, Earns the Support of Respected Orange County Civil Rights Pioneer Sylvia Mendez

Santa Ana, CA — Following several critical endorsements from the Communication Workers of America, Laborers Local 652, and the California Democratic Party, today, former State Senator Lou Correa was officially endorsed by Sylvia Mendez, the Civil Rights leader who fought against racial segregation in Orange County schools in the 1940s.

In response to the endorsement, former State Senator Lou Correa released the following statement: Continue reading→

The Santa Ana Elks Lodge will host a Community Health Fair on Oct. 14

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Fitness, Health and Medical, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Elks Lodge #794 is hosting a Community Health Fair on Oct. 14, 2016, at 212 S. Elks Lane, in Santa Ana, in the Crystal Ballroom, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Flu shots will be offered at a reduced rate or an attempt will be made to coordinate with your Health Care Provider.

Free Screenings will be offered, including: Continue reading→

DTSA recognized as one of fifteen Great Neighborhoods in the U.S.

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Planning, Santa Ana Leave a comment

APA Recognizes the 2016 Great Places in America Designees

APA’s annual list recognizes 15 Great Neighborhoods, Streets and Public Spaces

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Planning Association (APA) today announced the country’s 15 Great Places for 2016 through the organization’s national flagship program, Great Places in America, which marks the kick-off of APA’s National Community Planning Month celebration.

As part of National Community Planning Month, Great Places in America recognizes unique and exemplary streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces — three essential components of all communities. These authentic places have been shaped by forward thinking planning that showcases affordable transportation options, promotes community involvement and accessibility, and fosters economic opportunity. Continue reading→

John Wayne Airport invites O.C. art students to enter their 27th annual art contest

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2016

Contact: Deanne Thompson, (949) 252-5182, dthompson@ocair.com

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT INVITES ORANGE COUNTY STUDENTS TO ENTER 27TH ANNUAL STUDENT ART CONTEST

SANTA ANA, Calif. – John Wayne Airport’s (JWA) 27th annual Student Art Contest is underway. All Orange County public and private school students, including home-schooled students, in grades kindergarten through 12 are encouraged to submit artwork inspired by this year’s theme, “Beyond the Clouds.” Entries should be submitted to the Orange County Department of Education, any Orange County Public Library Branch or participating city libraries, no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2016.

“John Wayne Airport has a vibrant arts program, displaying museum quality exhibitions in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal throughout the year,” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett. “The Student Art Contest Exhibition is one of the most popular, showcasing the talents of our community’s young artists.” Continue reading→

Man charged with attacking and trying to murder an SAUSD School Police Officer

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF2553

Date: October 4, 2016

MAN ARRAIGNED FOR ASSAULTING AND ATTEMPTING TO MURDER SCHOOL POLICE OFFICER BY GOUGING HIS EYE AND CHOKING HIM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged and arraigned yesterday for assaulting and attempting to murder a school police officer by gouging his eye and choking him. Enrique Martinez, 28, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of attempted murder on a peace officer, one felony count of attempted mayhem, one felony count of resisting an executive officer, one felony count of assault on a school police officer, one felony count of battery on a peace officer, one felony count of reckless driving while evading a peace officer, and one felony count of burglary. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Martinez is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Oct. 13, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

The SAPD receives a federal grant to hire more police officers

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Federal Government, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: Santa Ana Police Department Receives Third Consecutive COPS Grant Award of $1.25M

SANTA ANA – For the third year in a row, the Santa Ana Police Department was awarded $1,250,000 in grant funding for the addition of 10 police officers by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). This brings the total amount awarded to $3.75 million for the addition of 30 police officers over the past three years.

Mayor Pulido attested, “One of our top priorities is the safety of our community and we are committed to hiring more police officers.” Continue reading→

Applications are now being accepted for the O.C. Grand Jury

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, OC Grand Jury, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Superior Court of California County of Orange

News Release: October 3, 2016

Contact: Gwen Vieau, 657-622-7097, PIO@occourts.org

Apply Now to Be a Grand Juror!

Santa Ana, CA – The Superior Court of Orange County seeks qualified individuals to serve on the next Orange County Grand Jury. Assistant Presiding Judge Kirk Nakamura, who chairs the Grand Jury Recruitment/Selection Committee, said, “I encourage Orange County residents to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to work behind-the-scenes to improve Orange County.” He added, “I especially encourage residents of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Placentia, Santa Ana, and Westminster to apply as these cities, located in Orange County Supervisorial Districts One and Four, historically provide fewer applicants.”

What Does the Grand Jury Do? Continue reading→

Sarmiento praised Measure PP and voted to place the Council pay raise measure on the ballot

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Politics, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 2 Comments

Vincent Sarmiento

Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Vince Sarmiento, in typical fashion, now wants us to believe that he is opposed to the ridiculous Measure PP – the lame ballot measure that is designed to give the Santa Ana City Council Members a 700% raise. The measure was born out of a desire by the Council majority to help Council Member Roman Reyna pay his bills, as he can’t hold a steady job. And as a high school dropout with no discernible skills, Reyna can’t find a good job to begin with.

The problem with Sarmiento’s flip-flopping is that we have a public record to turn to – the minutes of the July 5, 2016 City Council meeting where Sarmiento not only voted to place Measure PP on the ballot – he also praised the measure.

Here is the city’s transcript of what Sarmiento said and did at the July 5 meeting: Continue reading→

The SAUSD will host a novice classic speech and debate tournament on Oct. 7

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Santa Ana Unified School District Intermediate Students Fall Novice Class Speech and Debate Tournament

Producing Our Leaders of Tomorrow through the Art of Speech and Debate

SANTA ANA, CA (October 3, 2016) – More than 300 intermediate students in the Santa Ana Unified School District will demonstrate their leadership and oratorical skills during the district’s Fall Novice Classic Speech and Debate tournament to be held October 7, 2016, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at McFadden Intermediate School, located at 2701 South Raitt Street in Santa Ana. “This is a great opportunity for our students to learn, be mentored, and to be supported by members of the community that have a keen interest in our students, leaders of tomorrow, succeeding,” said, Stefanie P. Phillips, Ed.D., Superintendent. Supported with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana, students will have the opportunity to write and memorize speeches and perform them in front of an audience to bolster their confidence and academic success while creating a path toward college. Continue reading→

RSCCD Trustee candidate Schauer endorsed by two education associations

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Labor, Matthew Schauer, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2016

Contact: Matt Schauer, (714) 486-9037

Matthew Schauer Endorsed By Coalition of Organizations In Race For Rancho Santiago Community College District

Santa Ana, CA –Candidate for Rancho Santiago Community College District, Trustee Area 1, Matthew Schauer, has earned the endorsement from both the Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District and the California School Employees Association 579. Schauer is the only candidate running in Trustee Area 1 with support from multiple education associations.

“To be endorsed by the people who are the backbone of the district is more important to me than seeking the endorsements of career politicians,” Schauer said. “I look forward to being a representative of the community when on the board and helping to bring needed reform to the district.” Continue reading→

Firefighters quickly knocked out a Santa Ana apartment building fire today

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Fires, OCFA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

firemen-at-1400-block-of-south-sycamore-street-in-santa-ana

Picture courtesy of the OCFA

A fire at an apartment in the 1400 block of South Sycamore Street began at around 12:20 a.m. today, but was quickly knocked down by O.C. Fire Authority firefighters, according to the OC Register.

The fire reportedly began in a second floor apartment. It was knocked down in about 15 minutes and did not spread to the rest of the building, according to the OCFA. Continue reading→

A homeless woman attacked a college student at the DTSA 2nd St. Promenade last week

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Santa Ana 3 Comments

DTSA 2nd Street Promenade

The homeless problem in Santa Ana is beginning to impact our local schools. In the latest incident, which occurred last Monday at around 6 a.m. in the morning, a female student at the CSUF Grand Central Arts Center was leaving the building, which is in DTSA at the 2nd Street Plaza, when a female homeless person immediately confront the student in an aggressive manner.

The victim asked that the individual leave her alone, but the individual got more aggressive to the point of hitting the student. The student then fled to the parking structure area, in hopes that security at the structure might assist, with the attacking individual still in pursuit. As police were called, the suspect fled before police could arrive and was of course not found once they did finally show up on the scene. Continue reading→

Why are the Rancho Santiago Community College Trustees still supporting their bad deal with Saudi Arabia?

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Arianna Barrios, Cecilia Aguinaga, Claudia Alvarez, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, Thomas Gordon, Tony Tapia, Zeke Hernandez Leave a comment

Saudi mistreatment of women

Why in the world would the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) get involved in a consulting contract to help run two technical schools in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia? It is a crazy idea – and it is wrong on so many levels. Yet the scheme, which was hatched by the RSCCD Foundation, is moving forward – but not as was expected.

The potential profit from the deal has also been reduced from $8 million to $2 million after negotiations with Saudi Arabian officials finished, according to the Santa Ana College Newspaper, El Don. Continue reading→

A man crashed his car into a wall and died at East Edinger and Cedar this morning

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Pheach Phath, a 66-year-old man died in a one-car collision on Sunday morning, after hitting a brick wall at the corner of East Edinger Avenue and Cedar Street, in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The SAPD heard about the crash early on Sunday morning, at 5:54 a.m. They reported that no other car was involved in this incident. Continue reading→

Over 800 crimes were reported in Santa Ana this week

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Crime, Jessica Byulnim Cha, Juan Villegas, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

crimes-in-santa-ana-for-the-week-of-9-25-16

Santa Ana crime summary for the week of 9/25/16, courtesy of Crimemapping.com

The elections are upon us and the Santa Ana City Council incumbents who are up for re-election – Vince Sarmiento and Roman Reyna, want you to believe that crime is going down in our city. However even though the SAPD does not report their crime log (unlike many other cities including Anaheim, Irvine and Fountain Valley), we can take a look at the crimes occurring in our city on Crimemapping.com.

Crimemapping.com reports that there were over 800 crimes committed in Santa Ana during the past week, from last Sunday through yesterday. These crimes included: Continue reading→