Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza

OC beaches get a clean bill of health for the summer

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Newport Beach

OC Beaches Get Clean Bill of Health for Summer

(Santa Ana, CA) —Orange County residents aren’t the only ones who’ve been working to get fit for the summer season—the coastline has been watching its waste-line too.

Today, the environmental non-profit Heal the Bay released its annual “Beach Bummer List” ranking California’s most polluted shorelines – without a single Orange County beach listed. This year marks the first time in six years that stubborn list-dweller Poche Beach in South Orange County hasn’t appeared on the list.

Poche Beach’s clean bill of health is thanks to the combined efforts of the County’s OC Watersheds agency, city of San Clemente, OC Parks, OC Waste & Recycling, the South Coast Water District and the city of Dana Point. The beach is located where Dana Point and San Clemente meet, near a flood-control channel plagued by high bacteria levels. Continue reading→

Orange County Sheriff’s Department operation aims to improve motorcycle safety

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Motorcycles, Orange County, Public Safety Leave a comment

OC Sheriff's Department

Orange County Sheriff’s Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Operation Aims To Improve Motorcycle Safety

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (May 22, 2014) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on May 25, 2014 in an effort to lower motorcycle deaths and injuries.

Extra deputies will be on duty patrolling areas where motorcycle accidents frequently occur and looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes. They will also be cracking down on those operating both regular vehicles and motorcycles that are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns and any other dangerous violation. Continue reading→

Tri-City Memorial Day Observance set for 5/26 at the Santa Ana Cemetery

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Santa Ana Cemetery Memorial Day

The Tri-City (Orange~Santa Ana~Tustin) Memorial Day Observance, co-sponsored by the Orange County Cemetery District, is set for Monday May 26, 2014 at 10:00 am, at 1919 Santa Clara Ave., in Santa Ana.  The event has the theme of “WWI: The War to End All Wars,” marking the 100th Anniversary of World War I.

This event is dedicated to the memory of our fallen comrades in arms and is sponsored by Veteran & Community Service Organizations.  The event includes salutes by Civil War Cannons & Veteran Honor Squad, as well as a Parade of Flags, Memorial Wreaths Music, Speeches & Much More! Continue reading→

Memorial Day Service at Fairhaven Memorial Park set for 5/26

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The Story of our Flag at Fairhaven Memorial

Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary is hosting a Memorial Day Service: “The Story of Our Flag,” on May26, 2014, at 10:30 am, at 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, in Santa Ana.

This Memorial Day event is a special service to remember our nation’s servicemen and women. It’s a tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our country and a celebration of those who currently serve or have served our nation. Featuring live entertainment and patriotic speakers, the Memorial Day Service is a wonderful reminder of what it means to be an American. Continue reading→

Man convicted of pimping a young woman in Garden Grove

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OCDA Seal

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13WF1517: May 19, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF PIMPING 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN GARDEN GROVE

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of pimping a 19-year-old woman in Garden Grove. Trey Dimaria Bailey, 22, Oakland, pleaded guilty to a court offer to one felony count each pimping and pandering by receiving or giving money with a prior conviction for armed robbery in 2010. He is expected to be sentenced to four years in state prison at his sentencing July 21, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-57, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

SAPD Traffic Safety Fair set for 5/31 at Pio Pico Elementary School

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Pio Pico Traffic Safety Fair

The Santa Ana Police Department is hosting a Traffic Safety Fair on Saturday, May 31, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm at Pio Pico Elementary, located at 931 W Highland St., in Santa Ana.

Highlights of the event:

  • Interactive safety stations focusing on Pedestrian Safety;
  • Bicycle Helmet Giveaway & Free Bicycle Registration
  • Test your bicycle skills in the Obstacle Course
  • Interactive games and Informational booths

Continue reading→

OCDA lawsuit accuses five pharma companies of creating opioid addicts

Posted on by Posted in Drugs, OCDA, Santa Ana 2 Comments

OCDA Seal

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: May 22, 2014

CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES FOR DECEIVING PATIENTS AND DOCTORS ABOUT DANGERS OF PAINKILLERS, INCLUDING OXYCONTIN AND PERCOCET

*Complaint charges that misleading marketing has grown opioids into multi-billion dollar industry at expense of patient health

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) and Office of the County Counsel for the County of Santa Clara (OCCCSC) have filed a civil consumer protection lawsuit against five large pharmaceutical companies for endangering patients and deceiving doctors by intentionally misrepresenting the dangerously addictive nature of opioids, or a class of narcotic prescription painkillers, to expand their market and profit for the drugs.

The Complaint was filed yesterday, May 21, 2014, against Purdue Pharma L.P., Cephalon, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Endo Health Solutions Inc., and Actavis, Inc. Continue reading→

Man charged with kidnapping and raping his girlfriend’s daughter for 10 years

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Isidro Medrano Garcia

Isidro Medrano Garcia

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # TBA: May 22, 2014

MAN CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING GIRLFRIEND’S 15-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND SEXUALLY ASSUALTING HER FOR 10 YEARS

SANTA ANA – A man was charged today for kidnapping his girlfriend’s 15-year-old daughter and sexually assaulting her for a decade. Isidro Medrano Garcia, 42, Bell Gardens, is charged with one felony count of forcible rape, three felony counts of lewd acts on a minor, and one felony count of kidnapping to commit a sexual offense. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 19 years to life in state prison. The People will be requesting the defendant be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment today, May 22, 2014, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Department CJ-1 opens at 10:00 a.m. and the specific arraignment time for Garcia will be determined by the court.

In February 2004, Garcia was introduced to the victim while he was dating and living with the victim’s mother. Continue reading→

More homebuyer info meetings set for down-payment assistance program

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Santa-Ana-City-Logo

City of Santa Ana

Community REMINDER: CITY ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL HOMEBUYER INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS FOR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM

SANTA ANA, CA (March 27, 2014) – Are you looking to purchase your own home in the City of Santa Ana? If you are first-time homebuyer or have not owned property in the last 3 years, you may be eligible for a down payment assistance loan up to $40,000.

The minimum down payment assistance requirements are:

– Must be pre-qualified for a 1st Mortgage
– Must be a first time homebuyer
– 3% down payment of own funds
– Must complete the Homebuyer Counseling program
– Home must be located in Santa Ana
– Borrowers must have acceptable credit history
– Meet income requirements Continue reading→

The SAUSD honors the top 100 scholars from the Class of 2014

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sausd logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2014

Contact: Josie Amador, (714) 558-5555

SAUSD Honors Top 100 Scholars from Class of 2014

Santa Ana, CA – Some of Santa Ana Unified School District’s highest performing students will be honored Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the District’s Annual 100 Top Scholars celebration. With acceptance letters from some of the most competitive universities in the country ranging from Stanford to MIT and Brown to UC Irvine, UCLA and UC Berkeley, this bright group of students exemplifies success through hard work and dedication despite the challenges and hardships that one may have endured along the way. “Being in the top 100 feels great; it is one of my biggest accomplishments. I have been motivated ever since I was aware that Santa Ana is a community where poverty and challenges exist. I am pursuing a college education to thrive and eventually give back to my community,” said Daisy Andres, a student at Santa Ana High School, who received a college acceptance letter from UCLA. Continue reading→

OC DUI Task Force to crack down on drunk drivers on Memorial Day weekend

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                               
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Memorial Day Weekend Holiday DUI Crackdown

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (May 21, 2014) – The Orange County ‘Avoid the 38’ DUI Task Force is deploying deputies and officers this holiday weekend to DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols countywide to stop and arrest drunk or drugged drivers and to heighten awareness of the deadly combination that alcohol, drugs and driving can have on this first holiday weekend of the summer season. Continue reading→

Santa Ana woman emerges from 10 years of captivity

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Isidro Garcia

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives locate missing person after 10 years victim of kidnap and sexual assault

In August of 2004, a 15-year-old was reported missing to the Santa Ana Police Department by her mother. The mother reported that her daughter went missing along with her cohabitant boyfriend, Isidro Garcia, after a domestic violence incident. At the time, the mother suspected Garcia of sexually abusing her daughter; however she had no evidence to support this belief.

On 5-20-14, the Victim, now 25-years-old, disclosed the circumstances of her disappearance to law enforcement. Continue reading→

Will you vote to pay the City Council more and let them raise more campaign $?

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Santa Ana City Council

The Santa Ana City Council voted 7-0 last night to place a measure on the November General Election ballot that will give them a pay raise and allow them to raise more money from companies and contractors who do business with or in our city.  This means they want to be able to vote on matters that affect local businesses then hit them up right away for campaign cash.  Some might call that pay to play.

Several Council Members are up for re-election in November including David Benavides, Michele Martinez and Sal Tinajero.  Do they really think that advancing a self-serving measure like this will incline the voters to vote for them again? Continue reading→

Another young woman was shot in Santa Ana today

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A 22-year-old woman was injured Tuesday morning in what police believe was a gang-related shooting, according to the O.C. Register.

The woman was walking with a group of people in the 300 block of North Jackson Street around 5:20 a.m. when the occupants of a northbound car opened fire, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department. The pedestrians returned gunfire, and the woman was struck in the upper body, he said.
Continue reading→

CA Small Business Association endorses Solorio for Senate

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Business, california, Politics Leave a comment

California Small Business Association

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2014

For More Information Contact: Maria Unzueta – mobile: (657) 464-4742

CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ENDORSES JOSE SOLORIO FOR STATE SENATE

The Association recognizes Solorio’s commitment to jobs and prosperity for California

Santa Ana, CA – The California Small Business Association has endorsed Jose Solorio as the Candidate for Small Business in the 34th Senate District. The endorsement comes less than one month away from the June Primary Election.

“We are proud to support Jose Solorio because of his strong record of fighting for small businesses, protecting jobs and having an open door for us,” said Betty Jo Toccoli, President of the California Small Business Association. Continue reading→