Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza

The Santa Ana City Council majority wants to hire a new City Manager who was a total disaster at the City of El Monte

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Raul Godinez, Santa Ana 8 Comments

As you may know the Santa Ana City Council has been searching for a new City Manager – ever since they had to dump their previous City Manager, the overpaid David Cavazos. The City Council majority, comprised of Council Members Michele Martinez, Sal Tinajero, Vince Sarmiento and David Benavides, has now offered the job of permanent city manager to Raul Godinez, a former Santa Ana public works director who now manages public works for the much smaller city of Lynwood, according to the Voice of OC.

The Voice of OC also reported that Councilman Jose Solorio went along with the choice of Godinez. However it is probably the case that he saw the writing on the wall as the Council majority appears to be fixated on hiring Godinez. Continue reading→

DTSA 2017 5K Run set for Oct. 21

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

City of Santa Ana

Community: Get Fit at the DTSA 5K Run! / ¡Ponte en Forma en la Carrera DTSA de 5K!

SANTA ANA – Join us for the fourth annual Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) 5K Run! This free event will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. beginning on Main and Fourth Street. Test your endurance and speed as you pass by Santa Ana historical landmarks including the Orange County Courthouse, Eddie West Stadium and Old City Hall. First, second and third place winners in both the men and women’s divisions will receive a custom plaque and all participants will receive a custom medal to commemorate the event. Post – race refreshments and healthy snacks will be provided to race participants.

Those interested in participating in the free 5K run are encouraged to pre-register for an opportunity to receive a free event t-shirt. T-shirts and participant medals are limited and will be provided while supplies last. To register for the free 5K Race, visit https://register.chronotrack.com/r/33049. Continue reading→

Avoid outdoor exercise due to the Canyon 2 fire in Anaheim

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Environment, Fires, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SCAQMD Continues Smoke Advisory for Canyon 2 Fire

This advisory is in effect today, Tuesday, Oct. 10, through Wednesday morning, Oct. 11.

SCAQMD will issue an update if additional information becomes available.

A brush fire, named the Canyon Fire 2, is burning in Orange County near Gypsum Canyon, Anaheim Hills and towards the cities of Tustin and Orange. The burn area is reported to be 7,500 acres this morning, with 5 percent containment. Smoke is currently heavy in the vicinity. Breezy winds from the east will transition to a sea breeze from the southwest starting around 11 a.m. Smoke and ash impacts will be greatest in the vicinity of the fire and downwind into portions of Orange County this morning and likely into Riverside County this afternoon, depending on evolving fire conditions. Air quality may
reach Unhealthy levels or higher in areas directly impacted by smoke.

Areas of direct smoke impacts and Unhealthy air quality include portions of: Continue reading→

A Santa Ana home was damaged after a two car collision early on Sunday morning

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

A two-car crash that ended on the front porch of a Santa Ana home sent three people to the hospital, with one person critically injured, on Sunday, according to the O.C. Register.

Officials first responded to the collision that occurred on the 100 block of East Edinger Avenue between midnight and 1 a.m., according to KTLA. Continue reading→

Man gets 25 years to life in prison for the cold case murder of a woman in Santa Ana in 2007

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

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 15CF2751

Date: October 6, 2017

MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR COLD CASE MURDER OF WOMAN WHOSE BODY WAS LEFT IN SANTA ANA PARKING LOT IN 2007

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison today for the cold case murder of a woman whose body was left in a parking lot in Santa Ana in 2007.

Defendant: Jose Esteban Cardenas Zuniga, 41, Mammoth Lakes

Found guilty by a jury on July 20, 2017 of: First Degree Murder

Sentence: 25 years to life in state prison

Circumstances of Case: Continue reading→

Orange County commemorates the first anniversary of their first year-round homeless shelter

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

County Commemorates One-Year Anniversary of The Courtyard, County’s First Year-Round Homeless Shelter

Santa Ana, CA (October 5, 2017) — Today, the County of Orange commemorated the one-year anniversary of its first County homeless shelter, the Courtyard Transitional Center in Santa Ana. Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Andrew Do, First District, who was instrumental in bringing the Courtyard to fruition, visited with staff and residents at the shelter to signify the milestone.

“The Courtyard was a response to a homelessness crisis in the Santa Ana Civic Center, and it has made a significant impact on the lives of the individuals who have taken advantage of the resources provided,” said Supervisor Do. “We have seen tremendous success in the last 12 months, with more than 153 people from the Courtyard connected to housing and more than 125 who are employed. I have no doubt that we will continue to see people coming to the Courtyard as the first step in ending their homelessness.” Continue reading→

Civic Center pedestrian traffic rerouted due to construction

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

Civic Center Pedestrian Traffic Rerouted Due to Construction

Santa Ana, CA (October 5, 2017) — Pedestrian traffic has been rerouted surrounding the Building 16 construction area to ensure the safety of those walking through the Civic Center in Santa Ana.

The County has installed fencing along the Building 16 construction area and is installing additional easy-to-follow directional signs to help pedestrians navigate through the Civic Center. The Promenade (also known as the Walk of Honor), which previously extended from Ross St. to N. Broadway, will be closed until late 2019. A map of the impacted area is available at bit.ly/2gbFnQk. Continue reading→

What you need to know if you are considering a divorce in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

WHAT PAPERS DO I NEED FOR MY DIVORCE?

Thirty three people file for divorce in Orange County every day, according to the Orange County Register. The national divorce rate is about 50 percent. In California, it’s 60 percent.

If you are thinking about getting a divorce you might think that there is one set of paperwork to fill out, file, and the divorce becomes final six months later. However that is not true. Continue reading→

OC Health Care Agency reports the season’s first influenza case

Posted on by Posted in Disease, OC Health Care, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OC Health Care Agency Reports Season’s First Influenza Case

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed our county’s first case of influenza, signaling that flu season is officially here and serving as a reminder that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated.

Influenza is a seasonal contagious respiratory illness which can be caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue. Flu illness can be severe, leading to missed school or work, hospitalization and even death. Continue reading→

Enjoy a safe family event on Halloween at Santa Ana United Methodist Church

Posted on by Posted in Churches and Religion, Entertainment, Family, music, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Santa Ana United Methodist Church is hosting a Trunk or Treat and Harvest Festival on Oct. 31, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 2121 N. Grand Ave., in Santa Ana, in their back parking lot. This church is located next to Northeast Santa Ana Little League and Sierra Prepatory Academy.

Come out dressed as your favorite video game character and level up on your candy! Enjoy a safe and family friendly Halloween night with games, music and lots of candy. Continue reading→

Former SAPD Police Chief Rojas’ lawsuit against the City of Santa Ana should be disregarded because he was incompetent

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Rojas, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Gerry Serrano, the President of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association has responded to the ridiculous lawsuit filed by former SAPD Police Chief Carlos Rojas, with this statement:

“I’m shocked and dumbfounded that Rojas would make such false accusations and continue to damage our city and community. The truth, that the Police Officers Association knows is he was incompetent and had lost the confidence of the rank and file; a vote of No Confidence was initiated, personnel matters were mismanaged and he was unable to implement an effective community oriented policing philosophy. Continue reading→

The SAPD is investigating whether recorders used at the Kidseum had bodily fluids on them

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Santa Ana Police Department Investigating Information Provided by State Attorney General’s Office.

The Santa Ana Police Department is currently assisting the California State Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in the collection of recorders that may have been exposed to bodily fluids.

A recorder is a wooden flute-like musical instrument used by children. Based on information provided by the Attorney General and Postal Inspectors, the Santa Ana Police Department was able to identify approximately 55 children that took a musical class at Bower’s Kidseum on June 27, June 28, or July 22, 2017. The classes were taught by an independent contractor not employed by Bower’s Kidseum, who is not being identified at this time. Continue reading→

Missing Santa Ana grandfather with dementia found in Costa Mesa

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Critical Missing Person Located

Teofilo Fuentes Gallegos, 80-years old, a critical missing person, has been located by the Costa Mesa Police Department. Gallegos was transported to Hoag Hospital as a precaution. His family has been notified. Continue reading→

Santa Ana grandfather with dementia missing since yesterday afternoon

Posted on by Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A Santa Ana grandfather named Teo Gallegos, who has dementia, disappeared yesterday at around 3 p.m. He got out of the house while the his granddaughter was showering.

Gallegos is a male Hispanic, 5’04”, 180 lbs., with gray hair and brown eyes, according to the SAPD. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket, gray pants, and dark colored loafers.  Continue reading→