Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: February 2017

A woman was killed while paying respects to a man who died at a Santa Ana shopping center

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Gangs, Jose Solorio, Orange, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Investigating Homicide By Vehicle 1900 Block Of North Grand Avenue

Victim: Trisha Irene Verdugo (27) Orange

On Thursday, February 9, 2017, at 10:41 PM, SAPD Officers responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree store located at 1900 North Grand Ave.

Upon arrival, officers located a 27-year old adult female, Trisha Irene Verdugo of Orange, down in the parking lot with multiple injuries. Verdugo died at the scene as a result of her injuries. Continue reading→

OC Public Works launches a major project to combat floods in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Orange County, Public Safety, public works Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carrie Braun, Public Information Mgr., 714-788-8060, Carrie.Braun@ocgov.com

OC Public Works Flood Control Channel Maintenance and Security Project

Santa Ana, CA (February 8, 2017) — Beginning today, the County of Orange Public Works Department is beginning a Flood Control Channel Maintenance and Security Project adjacent to the County maintenance road along the east side of the Santa Ana River in Orange. The project area will stretch from Orangewood Ave. to just south of the Garden Grove Freeway (22), at levee slopes under the east and west sides of the Santa Ana Freeway (5) and under the east side of the Garden Grove Freeway (22).

The project will focus on three priorities to ensure the County is prepared for flood-fighting activities: storage of rocks and sand, upgraded fencing, and levee repairs. Continue reading→

The OCTA is trying to find federal funds to pay for the O.C. Streetcar

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 9, 2017

Two O.C. Transportation Projects on State Priority List for Federal Funds

The I-405 Improvement Project and OC Streetcar among 51 projects forwarded to federal government for funding consideration

ORANGE – Two major Orange County transportation improvement projects were included Wednesday on a priority list that the Governor’s office says should be considered in the development of a federal infrastructure funding package.

The list of projects prioritized for federal funding from across California includes the I-405 Improvement Project, which runs from SR-73 in Costa Mesa to the county’s border with Los Angeles, and the OC Streetcar, which will run through the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted of shooting and murdering his sister’s boyfriend

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

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0763

Date: February 9, 2017

MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS SISTER’S BOYFRIEND BY SHOOTING HIM BEFORE FLEEING TO MEXICO

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted today of murdering his sister’s boyfriend by shooting him before fleeing to Mexico. Adan Rodriguez Leon, 34, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of first degree murder, and a sentencing enhancement for personal discharge of a firearm causing death was found to be true. Leon faces a maximum sentence of 52 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on April 14, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-44, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

A man was found shot to death behind a vacant Food 4 Less store in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Jose Solorio, Orange, Santa Ana 2 Comments

The former Food 4 Less supermarket located at 1900 N. Grand Ave. has been vacant for many years and now 23-year old Joseph Frank Garcia, a resident of Orange, has been found shot to death behind that store, according to the SAPD.

The body was found in an alley late on Wednesday night, at around 10:30 p.m., by a security guard. The victim is a man who appeared to be in his 20s, according to the SAPD.  Continue reading→

New free monthly programs debut at the Santiago Park Nature Center

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Nature, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The City of Santa Ana is hosting a number of new programs at the Santiago Park Nature Center, including three types of events reoccurring monthly: guided nature walks, volunteer habitat restoration projects, and children’s book readings, such as:

  • Naturalist Nature Walks – 1st Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Habitat Restoration Days – 3rd Saturdays: 9 a.m. to Noon
  • Creekside Critters Storytime – Fridays: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Continue reading→

Funds needed to help pay for the funeral of a Thorpe Fundamental student who died in a car crash

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On Feb 5, 2017 Melissa Guadalupe Hernandez, a student at Jim Thorpe Fundamental, lost her life in a tragic car accident. Hernandez was riding in a Honda Civic, with her father, when their car was broadsided by a Toyota Camry, according to the SAPD.

Melissa was a vibrant 9 year old girl full of life. She was dearly loved and will be tremendously missed. Her parents are struggling to cope emotionally and financially.  Continue reading→

Santa Ana gangbanger nicknamed Termite convicted again of murdering a father of three

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

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 11CF0862

Date: February 7, 2017

GANG MEMBER CONVICTED OF MURDERING INNOCENT 51-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF THREE

*Defendant was previously convicted but granted a new trial

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A jury found a criminal street gang member guilty today of murdering an innocent 51-year-old father of three. Eric Vasquez Ortiz, 27, Santa Ana, was found guilty of one felony count of second degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for participation in a criminal street gang. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on June 2, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Sergio Avila Cabezas, 29, pleaded guilty on July 31, 2012, to one felony count each of voluntary manslaughter and participation in criminal street gang activity, with a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. Cabezas was sentenced to six years in state prison on Jan. 24, 2014.
Continue reading→

An elderly man with dementia is missing in Fountain Valley

Posted on by Posted in Fountain Valley, Public Safety, Seniors Leave a comment

Fountain Valley Police Department

Advisory: The Fountain Valley Police Department is asking for the public’s help with locating a missing person.

Update – this missing person has been found, according to the Fountain Valley Police Dept.

On February 7, 2017, at 3:00 pm, Jerry White left his residence in the area of Edinger and Magnolia and went for a walk.

White never returned. White suffers from Dementia and frequently walks around his neighborhood. This is the first time White has gone missing. Continue reading→

Santa Ana non profits can now apply for Community Development Block Grants

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: SANTA ANA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR NONPROFITS

The City of Santa Ana announces the availability of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for nonprofit organizations. The program supports cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- to moderate- income persons.

Funding will be available to experienced nonprofit organizations for the provision of public services that include an emphasis on crime prevention, intervention, and/or suppression efforts for children, youth and/or families. Programs will be funded from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA: Continue reading→

Three gangbangers arrested by the SAPD and drugs, weapons and bulletproof vests are seized

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Drugs, Gangs, Garden Grove, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Advisory: Gang Unit Investigations Leads To The Recovery Of Weapons, Narcotics, Ballistic Vests & The Arrest Of Three Documented Gang Members

Arrested:

  • Gilbert Deleon (43) Garden Grove Resident
  • Jose Lopez (21) Garden Grove Resident
  • Pedro Fernandez (42) Placentia Resident

Continue reading→

Why is the Santa Ana City Council wasting time opposing Trump while gangs run amok in our city?

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, David Benavides, immigration, Juan Villegas, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Crime in Santa Ana from 2.5 to 2.7.17, courtesy of CrimeMapping.com

The Santa Ana City Council voted 4-2 last night to prepare a resolution condemning President Trump’s executive orders withholding funds from sanctuary cities and barring immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S., according to the O.C. Register.

The only Council Members who opposed this pointless measure were Mayor Miguel Pulido and Councilman Juan Villegas. Councilmember Michele Martinez left before the matter was voted upon. Continue reading→

The new OCTA 53Xpress bus will speed up commutes on Main St. from Santa Ana to Anaheim

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 7, 2017

53Xpress Route to Speed Up Main Street Commute

New weekday service will have fewer stops along Route 53 between Anaheim and Santa Ana

ORANGE – Working, shopping or dining along Main Street is about to become more convenient, thanks to the Orange County Transportation Authority’s new OC Bus limited-stop 53Xpress service.

The new service, launching Monday, Feb. 13, runs along Main Street through downtown Santa Ana, with fewer stops along the popular Route 53 to speed up the commute for those riders traveling longer distances. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council will consider an anti-food truck ordinance on Tuesday night

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Food, Food Trucks, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

The Santa Ana City Council is considering a proposed ordinance that will make it very difficult for food trucks to do business in Santa Ana. The hearing will be held on Tuesday night. Click here to read the staff report.

City traffic engineering staff found that vending trucks in the vicinity of schools, parks and community centers encouraged children to cross streets mid-block, and that lines could block sidewalks and force pedestrians to detour onto the street, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→