Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: January 2018

Santa Ana man arrested for allegedly a couple and burning their tent

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fires, homeless, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives And OCFA Arson Investigators Make An Arrest In Attempted Murder/Arson Case

Suspect/Arrested: James Anthony Lawlor (35) Santa Ana

On Friday, 01/19/2018 at 8:20 am, SAPD officers responded to the vacant lot in the 1300 block of West Tolliver for a tent fire. Officers located the fire and two victims, one male and one female, who advised they were inside their tent when the suspect, who they described as male Hispanic, 35-40 years old, wearing black slacks and a black coat, approached their tent. The suspect then told the occupants they had 15 minutes to leave the area or he would return with his Glock handgun. The male occupant in the tent stuck his head out to talk to the suspect and was immediately kicked twice on the head by the suspect. Continue reading→

You are going to need the new DMV Real ID to board domestic flights by 2020

Posted on by Posted in california, Federal Government, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Senator Janet Nguyen Alerts Residents to New Identification Requirements to Board Domestic Flights

(Garden Grove, CA) State Senator Janet Nguyen is informing California residents that beginning January 22, 2018, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be offering REAL ID compliant driver licenses and identification cards. As mandated by the REAL ID Act of 2005, a REAL ID, U.S. Passport or military ID will be required by the federal government to board domestic flights or to access some federal facilities starting on October 1, 2020.

“If you use your driver’s license or ID card to get through airport security or to access a federal facility this will soon change,” said Senator Janet Nguyen. “As a state, we are working diligently to meet the new standards set by the federal government and will be making available REAL ID compliant driver licenses and identification cards at all DMV locations throughout the State of California.” Continue reading→

The City of Santa Ana shut down Sky High and another illegal pot dispensary today

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Drugs, Marijuana, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Sky High Holistic, an infamous medical marijuana dispensary that sued the City of Santa Ana and got an award of $100K after SAPD police officers raided them back in 2015, was raided again today as Santa Ana Code Enforcement and police officers finally closed down the illegal business, according to the O.C. Register.

The lawsuit in 2015 was due to the fact that several SAPD police officers busted Sky High’s video equipment while eating their granola bars. They also threatened a disabled woman. Continue reading→

$1.9B I-405 improvement project to kick off on Jan. 26

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

$1.9 Billion I-405 Improvement Project Kicks Off

The largest highway project under construction in the state to deliver relief on busiest stretch of highway in the nation

The Orange County Transportation Authority, in cooperation with Caltrans, is leading the I-405 Improvement Project between State Route 73 in Costa Mesa and Interstate 605 at the Orange County border with Los Angeles County.
The $1.9 billion project, funded with a combination of local, state and federal funds, will be the largest highway project under construction in California. Continue reading→

Nonprofit offers free bilingual childbirth prep classes in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Family, Santa Ana, Women Leave a comment

MOMS ORANGE COUNTY OFFERS FREE CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASSES FOR ENGLISH AND SPANISH-SPEAKING EXPECTANT PARENTS

Four-Week Sessions Available Throughout 2018, Beginning February 6 to Help Expecting Orange County Couples Have Healthy Babies

Santa Ana, Calif. (January 19, 2018) – MOMS Orange County, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit dedicated to helping mothers and their families have healthy babies, is pleased to announce the start of its four-class childbirth preparation series for English-speaking participants beginning Feb. 6 at its main office in Santa Ana. The series repeats throughout 2018 with classes in Spanish offered during alternating months. Continue reading→

The OC Supervisors direct $15M for mental health housing to aid the homeless

Posted on by Posted in Andrew Do, homeless, Mental Health, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Chairman Andrew Do and Vice Chairman Shawn Nelson directed the Orange County Health Care Agency to use $15 million of available unspent Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds for mental health housing projects. This funding is aimed at increasing the number of mental health housing units available in Orange County to house chronically homeless individuals with severe mental illnesses.

The directive was introduced by Chairman Andrew Do and seconded by Vice Chairman Shawn Nelson, both of whom have worked collaboratively to bring this to the Board of Supervisors. The Board approved the motion unanimously. This additional funding will be critical in completing future projects for MHSA Housing. Continue reading→

Eduardo Ramirez identified as the man who was fatally struck by a Metrolink train on Wednesday

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, OC Coroner, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD, Transportation Leave a comment

The Orange County Coroner has identified Eduardo Ramirez, 48-years-old, as the man who died when he was struck by a Metrolink train this past Wednesday, some time before 4:30 a.m., at the 1100 block of Fairhaven Ave., in Santa Ana.

Ramirez was declared dead at 4:31 a.m., at the scene. Continue reading→

A pregnant woman was shot in a parked car near Kidworks last night

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Pregnant woman shot near Kidworks

Somebody shot a pregnant woman who was sitting in a parked car at the 1900 block of West Myrtle Street, in Santa Ana. last night at about 8:37 p.m., according to the O.C. Register.

She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The woman and her unborn child are expected to survive.  Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Com Link Forum to address homelessness at a Jan. 25 meeting

Posted on by Posted in homeless, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Thursday, January 25th at 7 p.m. – Join Santa Ana’s Communication Linkages Forum for a meeting to learn more about what is being done to address:

  • Addressing homelessness in all areas of our city including a homelessness panel discussion
  • Update on the status of proposed city ordinance to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s – Granny Flats)
  • Update on the status of proposed city ordinance to regulate mobile food vendors
  • Healthcare – flu update
  • “Neighbor to Neighbor” Segment & Announcements

Continue reading→

Hundreds of SAUSD students are participating in a speech and debate tournament today

Posted on by Posted in Education, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Hundreds of students to participate in SAUSD Speech & Debate Middle School Tournament Jan. 20

The program has grown to serve 600 students and sent a delegation to the National Speech and Debate competition for the first time in 2017, where five students placed nationally.

Hundreds of students from the Santa Ana Unified School District’s (SAUSD) national award-winning Speech and Debate team will showcase their skills during the upcoming Speech & Debate Middle School Tournament this weekend. Continue reading→

A Santa Ana man who allegedly killed a woman with his van has died in custody

Posted on by Posted in buena park, Crime, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Nelson Ward Jr., a 62-year-old Santa Ana resident, won’t be charged with murder after allegedly runninv over a woman in a hotel parking lot in Buena Park, back in 2015, because he died in mid-November while in custody, of natural causes, according to the O.C. Register.

Ward Jr. was charged with murder as well as assault with a deadly weapon or instrument likely to produce great bodily injury, after he allegedly killed 32-year-old Jessica Carvajal at about 1:20 a.m., on Sep. 12, 2015, in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn at 7000 Beach Blvd., in Buena Park. Continue reading→

A man crashed into a tree after he was shot in the face while driving in Santa Ana early this morning

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A man survived being shot in the face this morning, Jan. 19, as he drove his pickup truck in Santa Ana, east on Edinger Ave. The shooting caused the victim to lose control of his vehicle and he crashed into a tree, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim, who was not identified by the police, was taken to a local hospital and he is expected to survive, according to the SAPD.

The man was driving his truck, which is clearly marked as a construction company vehicle, at 5:45 a.m. , east on Edinger between Pacific Ave. and Bristol St. He was suddenly shot – and he apparently did not see who did it or what direction the bullet was fired from.  Continue reading→

Woman arrested for DUI crash that killed a Santa Ana man back in 2016

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a woman for murder following a 2016 vehicle collision where she was found to be driving under the influence.

On Oct. 1, 2016, at approximately 2:15 a.m. Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies and the Orange County Fire Authority responded to an injury traffic collision on eastbound Alton Pkwy between the 241 toll road and Towne Centre Drive in the city of Lake Forest.

Deputies located two involved vehicles, a Hyundai sedan and a Ford pickup with major damage. The male driver of the Ford pickup was identified as Jose Barrazasoto (12-29-75) of Santa Ana. Barrazasota was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female driver of the Hyundai sedan was identified as Jacie Cornish (8-30-93) of Foothill Ranch, who suffered minor injuries and was admitted to the hospital. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Michele Martinez announces her campaign for Mayor

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Civic Affairs, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA MAYOR PRO TEM MICHELE MARTINEZ ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR

Santa Ana, CA — Santa Ana City Councilmember and current Mayor Pro Tem Michele Martinez announced her campaign for Mayor of Santa Ana today. Martinez is currently serving in her third term on the City Council.

In announcing her campaign, Martinez released the following statement: Continue reading→