Art Pedroza

Gangbanger charged with murdering one Santa Ana woman and trying to murder another one

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Garden Grove, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Irvin Tellez

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 13HF2731 & 13CF2980

Date: September 14, 2015

MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR THE MURDER OF ONE WOMAN AND THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF FEMALE BYSTANDER

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man is scheduled to face trial tomorrow for the murder of one woman and attempted murder of a female bystander. Co-defendant Irvin Tellez, 27, Garden Grove, is charged with one felony count each of murder and attempted murder, with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death, personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, and great bodily injury. If convicted, Tellez faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, Sept. 15, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Jaime Prieto Rocha, 42, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty Sept. 4, 2015, to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter with a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. Rocha is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 30, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach. Continue reading→

More pictures from the 2015 Fiestas Patrias parade in DTSA

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Civic Affairs, Gerardo Mouet, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Miss Guerrero at the Fiestas Patrias Parade

I already posted the pictures I took of our local elected officials at this Sunday’s Fiestas Patrias Parade (celebrating Mexican independence). But I also took a lot of other pictures – of the floats and other participants. I am posting them here.

If you don’t usually attend this parade I encourage you to do so. It is a lot of fun and a great look at the history and culture of Mexico. Continue reading→

Our local politicians showed up for the Fiestas Patrias parade today

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Andrew Do, Angelica Amezcua, Arts and Culture, Cecilia Iglesias, David Benavides, Jose Solorio, Karina Onofre, Loretta Sanchez, Lou Correa, Lowriders, Politics, Republican Party, Rick Miller, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 1 Comment

David Benavides at the 2015 Fiestas Patrias Parade

I stopped by today’s Fiestas Patrias parade in Downtown Santa Ana – mostly to take pictures of the local politicians but also to take in the spectacle. I was not disappointed on either count.

Somethings never change – Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides appeared to be riding in the same car he was in back in 2013 – with his kids. Continue reading→

Watch our goofy elected officials in today’s Fiestas Patrias parade in DTSA

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

I try not to miss the annual Fiestas Patrias parade in Downtown Santa Ana not because it is a great parade but rather because it always presents me with the opportunity to take goofy pictures of our local politicians.

A couple years ago I caught career politician Janet Nguyen (who at the time was a Supervisor and is now a State Senator) dangling her unsecured toddler while sitting on the back seat of a convertible car (see the picture above). If only I had been taking video! She was screaming “Viva Mexico” at the time. (I am sure her fellow Republicans would love to see that video today!). Continue reading→

Teen shot by two alleged gang members near 17th and Spurgeon

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A male teenager was shot in Santa Ana on Friday at around 6:30 p.m. when he was walking near the 1700 block of North Spurgeon St., according to the O.C. Register.

The young man was approached by two males. He began running away due south on Spurgeon St. and both of the suspects then pulled out guns and fired multiple shots at the teen. He was hit in his right arm and left hand. Continue reading→

Contemporary Japanese bamboo art exhibit opens 9/19 at the Bowers Museum

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Japanese, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Mimura Chikuho, Hope, 2004. Bamboo (madake), rattan, lacquer. Photo © Susan Einstein.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TRAVELING EXHIBITION EXPLORES THE EVOCATIVE, SENSUAL AND SCULPTURAL POWER OF CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE BAMBOO ART

Santa Ana, CA (August 20, 2015)—Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California is pleased to announce Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, an exhibition exploring the innovative shape bamboo art has taken since the mid-twentieth century. Curated by Dr. Andreas Marks, Minneapolis Institute of Arts and organized by International Arts and Artists, Modern Twist features a stunning selection of works from the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture. With rare wall-hung installations and pieces never before seen in the United States, this exhibition both engages and educates audiences about a vibrant cultural art form. Modern Twist is on view at Bowers Museum from September 19, 2015 through January 3, 2016. Continue reading→

RSCCD Trustee Jose Solorio’s birthday and campaign fundraising event set for 9/30

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Entertainment, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Jose Solorio is celebrating his 45th birthday on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m, at Maggiano’s Little Italy, at the South Coast Plaza, located at 3333 Bristol Street, in Costa Mesa. This event is a fundraiser for Solorio’s reelection campaign.

The cost to attend is $45 per person. Or you can be an event sponsor: Continue reading→

Armed Santa Ana auto theft suspect caught with the help of a County helicopter

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: OCSD Airship “Duke” Assists SAPD Locate Armed Auto Theft Suspect After Pursuit

On Thursday 9-10-15 at midnight, an officer was patrolling the area of 500 S. Oak Street when he observed a suspicious vehicle occupied by a lone male occupant. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle for traffic violations but the driver failed to yield and led officers on a pursuit. During the pursuit, suspect Jeffery Zavala tossed a handgun out of the vehicle.

The pursuit ended in the city of Tustin when the driver fled on foot to a nearby school. The officer chased Zavala and used his Taser but it was ineffective. Zavala temporarily eluded capture until Orange County Sheriff’s Air Support “DUKE” observed him inside a nearby apartment complex. Officers established a perimeter and ordered Zavala to surrender. When he refused, the K9 was deployed and the suspect was taken into custody. The weapon Zavala tossed out of the vehicle during the pursuit was located and recovered by assisting officers.

Continue reading→

Murder suspect arrested in Westminster

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County, Westminster Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Murder Suspect Arrested

WESTMINSTER, Calif. (September 11, 2015) – On Friday, September 11, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) deputies arrested Craig Tanber, 37, Dana Point, wanted in connection with the stabbing homicide that occurred last Monday, September 7, 2015 in front of the Patsy’s Irish Pub in the City of Laguna Niguel. Tanber was taken into custody without incident or injuries.

Tanber was arrested at approximately 6:15 a.m. this morning after investigators obtained information he was staying at the Motel 6 at 13100 Goldenwest Street., Westminster. SWAT operators made entry into the motel room and safely took Tanber into custody. Continue reading→

Kermes fundraiser to help pay for a young woman’s funeral set for 9/12 at Centennial Park

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Charities, Entertainment, Family, Food, music, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Gennieve Marie Rankin, 25-years-old, passed away last Friday in a tragic car accident. She leaves behind her husband, Santiago “El Chago” Duran and a 4-year-old daughter and funeral bills that her family cannot contend with by themselves.

Her family is hosting a Kermes this Saturday, September 12, 2015, at Centennial Park in Santa Ana, located at 3000 W. Edinger Ave., starting at 10 a.m., to raise funds to help pay for her funeral.

The event will include: Continue reading→

It is time to take down the Orange County Vector Control District

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Orange County Vector Control District, Politics, Santa Ana 8 Comments

OC Vector Control District Hacks

Just some of the hacks who serve on the Orange County Vector Control District’s Board of Trustees

From the OC Politics Blog

Is it time to fold the Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD) into the Orange County Health Care Agency? The OCVCD got caught this week trying to spray insecticides in several inner city neighborhoods of Santa Ana, after sending out a last minute press release last Friday about spraying that was at the time to take place on Monday.

I wrote a series of posts over at my New Santa Ana blog that exploded on Facebook, generating over 60,000 views and thousands of calls and emails to the many local politicians whose contact information appeared in my posts. By Monday the OCVCD was waving the white flag. They “suspended” the spraying due to the weather but the reality is that the backlash I generated, which I ended up calling “Mosquito Gate” made the spraying a total no-go.

Residents said they were unaware of the spraying and reacted online, with some calling the procedure a “toxic spray down.” Some residents questioned why only specific neighborhoods were targeted. Others who work in the early hours expressed concern of health effects associated with the scheduled early-morning spraying, according to the OC Register. Continue reading→

The O.C. Vector Control District surrenders and cancels plans to spray chemicals on our homes

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Environment, Health and Medical, Michael Hearst, Orange County, Orange County Vector Control District, Politics, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Mike Hearst, OC Vector Control District Manager

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District has bowed to massive public pressure and canceled their plans to spray chemicals on our homes for the remainder of the 2015 mosquito season.

The same thing happened last year. In both cases there was bad weather that contributed to the Vector Control District’s downfall. But this time public pressure accelerated very quickly.

A Facebook group formed to rally those opposed to the spraying. That group quickly grew to over 2,800 members and in the process has become a new political force in Orange County. Continue reading→

Learn about effective workplace violence prevention at the OC ASSE meeting on 9/16

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Patrick Prince

The Orange County Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is hosting their September Technical Meeting on September 16, 2015, from 11:30 am to 1 pm, at the local offices of the American Red Cross, located at 600 N. Parkcenter Drive, Room PC 208, in Santa Ana.

The speaker is Patrick Prince, a corporate training and management consultant specializing in workplace violence prevention, conflict resolution, recognition and management of workplace substance abuse, trauma response and other related occupational health and safety issues.

Prince will be talking about “20 Years of Lessons Learned: The Future of Effective Workplace Violence Prevention.” Continue reading→

The O.C. Vector Control District has canceled tonight’s aerial chemical spraying

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County Vector Control District, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Orange County Vector Control District has canceled the chemical spraying they were going to start tonight, according to their Facebook page.

Here is the message they posted tonight: Continue reading→

O.C. Vector Control is spraying a chemical on us that isn’t safe for humans, animals, bees or fish

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Environment, Health and Medical, Orange County, Orange County Vector Control District, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Peace 4 Animals, SCIL, And The Pet Place Call To Halt Aerial Spraying Of Poison In The OC

Pets, People, and Honeybees At Risk

By: Jennifer Andrews

Orange County, Calif. — Peace 4 Animals, Social Compassion in Legislation and The Pet Place are calling for the immediate halting of plans for aerial pesticide spraying over Orange County cities on September 9th and 10th. Orange County Vector Control aircraft will drop the pesticide called “Duet” over residential yards, homes, parks, schools, organic farms, etc., in an ill-advised attempt to manage mosquito populations. The State of California approved aerial spraying in spite of thousands of public emails, phone calls, letters, protests, and other communication calling for environmentally friendly and healthy alternatives that protect food and water supplies, the interests of organic farmers, fisheries, honeybees, pets, and people.

There is no reason to spray our homes with toxic chemicals since there have been no deaths due to the West Nile Virus this year and only a handful of people have been ill from the disease. The homeless are sadly mostly at risk as they sleep outside (and are at a higher-risk of toxicity from the spraying). Continue reading→

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