Beatriz Mendoza, a Field Representative for U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, and a candidate for the SAUSD School Board, has been nominated by Santa Ana City Councilman Sal Tinajero to replace Sean Mill on the Planning Commission.
Mendoza’s nomination will be voted on at the upcoming Santa Ana City Council meeting on 8/2/16. Continue reading→
A possible cold case murder has come back to haunt a Santa Ana home’s owner after the SAPD received a tip on Thursday afternoon that a body might be buried in the backyard of that home, according to the O.C. Register.
The tip received by the SAPD alleged that a body has been buried for some 30 to 32 years behind a home located at the 600 block of South Center St., according to the SAPD. Continue reading→
Santa Ana Police Department
On July 27, 2016, the 4-year-old victim and several family members were celebrating a birthday at Jerome Park in Santa Ana. At about 8:15 PM, the 4-year-old playing on the playground with other children. A few minutes later, the child’s mother lost sight of her son and began searching for him. After failing to locate her son, the child’s mother called the Santa Ana Police Department, who immediately responded to the area to continue the search.
Santa Ana Police Officers utilized the OCSD Air Support Unit helicopter to broadcast the description of the lost 4-year-old child to the nearby community. Two concerned citizens saw a child matching the description of the lost child in a nearby market. The child was being accompanied by Armando Torreblanca Núñez, 28, of Santa Ana. The citizens confronted Nunez, who released the child and tried to flee the scene. The citizens detained Nunez and called police officers who responded to the scene immediately. The child was unharmed and returned to the mother. Continue reading→
An unknown suspect fired a projectile at a Honda vehicle as it was being driven on the westbound 22 Freeway, near the Harbor Blvd. off-ramp, just before midnight on Wednesday, according to the O.C. Register.
The projectile caused minor injuries to the Honda’s female driver and a male passenger when it shattered the driver’s side window, according to the CHP. Continue reading→
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE
Case #16CF1898
Date: July 28, 2016
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A parole agent was arrested yesterday on charges of exchanging embezzled California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) funds for narcotics prescribed to a parolee. Scott Patric Keblis, 49, Chino, is charged with one felony count of embezzlement by a public employee and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. If convicted on all counts, Keblis faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison and one year in county jail, and would be ineligible to ever hold any office of honor, trust, or profit in California. Keblis was released from custody today after posting $20,000 bond. The defendant’s court date is to be determined. Continue reading→
NEWS RELEASE
Dr. Stefanie Phillips Appointed Superintendent of Schools to Lead 7th Largest School District in California
SANTA ANA, CA (July 26, 2016) – After conducting a nationwide search, the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education has appointed Stefanie Phillips, Ed.D., as its new Superintendent. Dr. Phillips brings 16 years of experience in educational leadership including three years as the District’s Deputy Superintendent of Business & Operations and Chief Business Official. Continue reading→
The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District issued a panicky press release today as they have confirmed the first mosquito samples infected with West Nile virus (WNV) in the City of Santa Ana for 2016.
The mosquitoes were collected in a mosquito trap at Alona St. & 21st St., and on E. Chestnut Ave. Their teams will be posting the areas this week. They will also be sending crew members to alert residents to the detection of WNV and preventative measures residents can take to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and WNV. Continue reading→
There are three seats available on the SAUSD School Board in the upcoming November General Election. Two of the SAUSD Trustees, Rob Richardson and Jose Hernandez, are retiring from the School Board. Another incumbent, Ceci Iglesias, is up for reelection – and she has been targeted for removal by the Santa Ana Educators Association.
There are quite a few candidates vying for these School Board seats including: Continue reading→
Santa Ana Police Department
Advisory: Santa Ana Police Department National Night Out – Tuesday, August 2, 2016.
***SAVE THE DATE*** Santa Ana Police Department National Night Out is coming soon! Join us for our 10th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd at Garfield Elementary School (850 E. Brown Street) from 4PM – 7PM. Continue reading→
City of Santa Ana
Friday July 22nd, 2016 :: 05:05 p.m. PDT
Community: Shakespeare’s Othello at Birch Park / Presentación Shakesperiana de Otelo en Parque Birch
Jealousy, Tragedy and Betrayal Uncovered in a Performance of Shakespeare’s Othello at Santa Ana’s Historic Birch Park
A free live performance of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Othello, will be performed by the Shakespeare by the Sea theater company on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in Santa Ana’s historical Birch Park. Considered one of the greatest displays of evil and betrayal ever written, Othello is the famous story of the Moorish general in the Venetian army who falls in love and marries beautiful Desdemona. From the beginning to the end of this amazing play, the ins and outs of treachery, led by Othello’s manipulative lieutenant Iago, grips the audience and leads them on a journey through jealousy, lies, betrayal, and revenge. Come and see how a simple gift of a handkerchief can be the catalyst that tips Othello to ruin and becomes the symbol of what Iago calls, “O, Beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-ey’d monster…”. Continue reading→
City of Santa Ana
Community: DTSA 5K Run & Ciclovia
Join us for the Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) 5k Run and Ciclovia! This free event will take place on Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Main and Fourth Street.
The day will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. with a free 5k run open to runners of all levels. Test your endurance and speed as you pass Santa Ana historical landmarks such as the Orange County Courthouse, Eddie West Stadium and Old City Hall. First, second and third place winners will receive a custom plaque and participants will receive a custom medal to commemorate the day*. Post –race refreshments and healthy snacks will be provided to race participants. Those interested in participating are encouraged to pre-register for an opportunity to receive a free event t-shirt**. Continue reading→
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE
Case #16WF1578
Date: July 25, 2016
STRIKER ARRAIGNED FOR ROBBERY OF FIVE FOUNTAIN VALLEY STORES BY THREATENING CASHIERS WITH FIREARM
WESTMINSTER, Calif. – A striker was arraigned Friday, July 22, 2016, for the robbery of five Fountain Valley grocery and drug stores by threatening cashiers with a firearm. John Allen Wagner, 48, Westminster, is charged with five counts of second degree robbery. Wagner faces sentencing enhancement allegations for two prior strike convictions for residential burglary in 1987 and federal bank robbery in 1991, both in Orange County. If convicted, Wagner faces a maximum sentence of 175 years to life in state prison. The defendant is being held on $1 million bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on August 1, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster. Continue reading→
For Immediate Release: July 25, 2016
Contact: Jessica Good, Public Information Officer, (714) 834-2178, JGood@ochca.com
Increase in Meningococcal Disease in Men Who Have Sex with Men in Southern California
(Santa Ana, CA) – The California Department of Public Health is reporting an increase of meningococcal disease in Southern California, particularly in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. A cluster of cases in the last several months has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men (MSM).
Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, which are transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets, during face-to-face or prolonged contact, or by sharing utensils, drinks or cigarettes. It is a serious infection that can cause meningitis (brain infection) and/or bacteremia (blood infection), and can lead to death. To date, Orange County has had four cases that are part of the cluster in Southern California; three of these cases have occurred since June 1, including one death. On average, Orange County has only five meningococcal cases each year. Continue reading→
Rebecca Munoz, a 23-year-old Santa Ana woman, pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to four years in prison for gross vehicular manslaughter in a drunken driving crash that killed a man in Orange last year, according to the O.C. Register.
Munoz was driving her 2014 BMW 320i south on the Orange (57) Freeway at about 80 mph early in the morning on March 14, 2015, when she made an unsafe lane change and hit the left rear of a 2002 Jeep Liberty, according to the OCDA. Continue reading→
Violent crime continues to increase in Santa Ana at an unbelievable rate, yet police staffing remains far below minimum staffing levels. What is inexperienced SAPD Police Chief Carlos Rojas doing to address this? Nothing. What is our overpaid City Manager David Cavazos doing to address this? Nothing. Why do they refuse to staff “Patrol Officers” to their recommended levels and the levels they have been budgeted for? And why doesn’t our City Council take action? I mean besides giving bonuses to Cavazos and his fellow city executives.
There are serious safety concerns to families, children and the business community of Santa Ana. Since Rojas took over in 2012, shootings are up 556%, according to a new report that I looked at today (which is about how much Cavazos is overpaid!) In 2012 in a six-month period (from January to June) there were 32 shootings as compared to the year-to-date in 2016, when there have been over 200 shootings in our city! Continue reading→
