Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza

The SAUSD responds to the arrest of Asst. wrestling coach Jaime Orendain

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Jaime Orendain

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santa Ana Unified School District’s Statement on the Arrest of Jaime Orendain

SANTA ANA, CA (August 30, 2017) – Santa Ana Unified School District was notified, August 30, 2017 that Jaime Orendain, an assistant coach of the Santa Ana High School Boys Varsity Wrestling team and an activity supervisor, was arrested and booked for allegations of sexual misconduct with a former student.

These allegations are being taken seriously and are in direct conflict of the District’s zero-tolerance policy relating to staff misconduct, in which all district employees are held at the highest ethical standards. This includes reporting any suspicious activity involving abuse or neglect of a child directly to authorities, as mandated by law. Failure to do so is a criminal violation of the law. Continue reading→

Santa Ana High School assistant wrestling coach arrested on suspicion of sex with a minor student

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports 8 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD ARREST HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING COACH/ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR FOR UNLAWFUL SEX WITH A MINOR STUDENT

Jaime Orendain (34) Santa Ana, a 34-year-old high school wrestling coach, was arrested Tuesday night for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.

The victim, who is no longer attending Santa Ana High School, claimed she had an inappropriate relationship with Orendain, a part-time wrestling coach and activities director for the school. Continue reading→

Santa Ana resident appointed to the O.C. Emergency Medical Care Committee

Posted on by Posted in Andrew Do, Art Pedroza, Orange County, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Supervisor Andrew Do appointed Art Pedroza to the Orange County Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC) to represent the First District.

Art is a 30 year Santa Ana resident of experience in occupational safety and over 8 years of experience in risk control for both insurance brokers and carriers. Art has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Cerritos College for over 13 years. Continue reading→

A man was beaten up at Centennial Park after he picked a fight

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 16 Comments

At around 7 pm, Santa Ana Police and Rancho Santiago Community College District Public Safety Officers responded to a fight at Centennial Park right next to the skate park – which is also where Godinez Fundamental High School is located.

An unidentified man instigated a fight with several men at the Skate Park. According to witnesses the man appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Continue reading→

Tustin woman convicted of crashing her car into a policeman while she was drunk

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, OCDA, Orange, Tustin Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 16CF3123

Date: August 29, 2017

DRUNKEN DRIVER CONVICTED OF CRASHING INTO ORANGE POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS STANDING BEHIND PATROL VEHICLE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver was convicted today of crashing into an Orange Police Department officer who was standing behind his patrol vehicle on a residential street.

Defendant: Ashley Victoria Bertolino, 27, Tustin

Pleaded guilty today to the following felony counts: Continue reading→

California Task Force Team 5’s efforts in Texas recognized by the OC Supervisors

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Supervisors Bartlett and Spitzer, who are also members of the OCFA Board, applaud the successful rescue efforts of members of Orange County Fire Authority and the Anaheim and Orange Fire Departments that make up California Task Force Team 5.

“These courageous public servants didn’t hesitate when called upon to put their lives in danger in the service of others – even when it required them to leave their families and travel halfway across the country. Their heroism was on display as they saved more than 600 lives. Those individuals, their families, all of Texas and our community owe them our deepest respect and admiration. I very much look forward to honoring their service and heroism when they return, “said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. Continue reading→

A possibly homeless man was hit by two vehicles on Friday night at First and Harbor

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An unidentified possibly homeless man crossing the street was hit by a vehicle in a possible hit and run and then the victim was struck by another vehicle, on Friday night, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim was crossing the street near the busy commercial intersection of First Street and Harbor Boulevard at about 10 p.m. on Aug. 25 when a vehicle hit the man and the driver fled from the scene, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

Excessive heat warning in Santa Ana in effect starting this Monday

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City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Excessive Heat Warning in Effect from Monday 8/28 to Wednesday 8/30

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning, which will be in effect from 10:00 am on Monday, August 28, 2017 to 10:00 pm on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.

Temperatures in most inland Orange County and surrounding mountain communities are expected to reach high temperatures in the 90s on Sunday, August 27, 2017. Temperatures will warm to a range of 95 to 105 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to heat. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for a man who robbed the Grand Gas Station

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: DETECTIVES REQUEST MEDIA AND PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING GAS STATION ROBBERY SUSPECT

Suspect Description: Hispanic, male, 30-35 years, 5’10” tall, 190 lbs., medium complexion, wearing a blue shirt and blue shorts.

On Monday, 08/14/2017 at 2:53 a.m. suspect entered the Grand Gas Station located at 2231 N. Grand Ave., punched the clerk in the face, and then demanded money from the cash register. The victim complied with the suspects demands and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of US currency. Suspect fled in an older silver sedan eastbound on Santa Clara. Continue reading→

The SAPD is conducting a DUI Checkpoint tonight on S. Fairview

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Fri, August 25th, 2017, 9:30PM to 2:30AM, 500 S. Fairview Street

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday August 25, 2017. It will begin at 9:30PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 500 S Fairview Street, in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Former SAUSD teacher gets one year in jail after having sex with a student 9 times

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD 1 Comment

Alvar Gonzalez class of 1988, Santa Ana High School

Alvar Albert Gonzalez, a 47-year old former Santa Ana High School science teacher and resident of Santa Ana, was sentenced Friday to a year in county jail for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student, according to the O.C. Register.

Gonzalez had sexual intercourse with the female student at least nine times during school lunch breaks in 2013, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for two Hispanic Raider fans who robbed a Chevron gas station store

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Asking For Media & Public Assistance In Identifying Two Suspects Wanted in Robbery

 

On 7/29/17, at 6:05 p.m., the two male suspects entered a Chevron convenience store at 400 17th St. in Santa Ana, at the 5 Freeway. Suspect #1 forced his way behind the counter while pointing a gun at the clerk saying, “Give me the money.” Suspect #2 held the door shut to prevent any customer from entering or leaving.

Out of fear that he may be shot, the clerk stepped aside and allowed Suspect #1 to empty out the cash register tray and take merchandise off the counters. The suspects fled the location on foot southbound on Penn Way. Continue reading→

A man was killed in a drive-by shooting by Santa Ana’s Kidworks last night

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

Fatal Drive-By Shooting Near Kidworks in Santa Ana

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING HOMICIDE – 500 BLOCK OF SOUTH SHELLEY STREET

Victim: Alonso Ortiz (22) Santa Ana.

On Thursday, August 24, 2017 at approximately 10:01 PM, the Santa Ana Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at the 500 block of South Shelley Street in the city of Santa Ana. Upon arrival, Officers found an adult male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Orange County Fire Authority Paramedics responded. Medics transported the victim to a local trauma center where doctors declared him deceased at 1:37 AM. Continue reading→

The SAPD arrested four gangbangers on charges of carjacking and robbery

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Arrests Four Gang Member Suspects In Series Of Robberies & Carjackings

Arrested: Antonio Gomez (20) Santa Ana

Santa Ana Police arrest four gang members suspected of committing a series of street robberies and carjackings. The robbery series started on 8-2-2017 continued until 8-9-2017 and encompassed various neighborhoods throughout the city.

To date, detectives believe the suspects’ crime spree included seven (7) armed street robberies, two (2) armed carjackings, one (1) attempted street robbery and one (1) attempted armed robbery which turned into a shooting at a vehicle and. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Ronny Rios to fight in a title boxing match on HBO this Saturday

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City of Santa Ana

Community: Santa Ana Boxer Ronny Rios’ Title Fight this Saturday, August 26th at the StubHub Center / Live on HBO Boxing

Watch Santa Ana’s very own Ronny Rios (28-1) during the biggest fight of his career this Saturday, August 26, 2017 when he challenges WBC super-bantamweight champ Rey Vargas at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA. The fight, which will also be shown live on HBO Boxing starting at 6:45 p.m. is the co-main event for Miguel Cotto vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai. Continue reading→