Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza

Things to do in and around Santa Ana on Valentine’s Day 2014

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Green Parrot Valentine's Dinner

The OCTA’s Measure M is on track according to a new independent review

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Measure M

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Measure M On Track, Independent Review Finds

Half-cent sales tax is driving force behind local transportation improvements

ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee has determined that Measure M is being delivered as promised to Orange County voters for the 23rd consecutive year.

The committee held its annual Measure M public hearing this week and unanimously found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the ordinances that were approved by voters first in 1990 and renewed in 2006. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez tries desperately to sign OC residents up for ObamaCare

Posted on by Posted in Health and Medical, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2014

MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, 202-731-7627, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ FOCUSES ON GETTING OC COVERED WITH IN PERSON ENROLLMENT

Garden Grove, Calif. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today led a rally in Santa Ana launching “Countdown to Enroll OC,” her effort to connect Orange County residents with certified, in person bilingual health insurance enrollment services through Covered California.

“Covered California’s enrollment deadline, March 31st, is a big day that’s less than fifty days from now,” said Rep. Sanchez. “That’s why I’m launching the Countdown to Enroll OC. From now until March 31st, I will be doing everything I can to connect Orange County residents with in person, bilingual enrollment support. We are putting the emphasis on signing up in person, right here, right now.” Continue reading→

Inmate who shot a 67-year old Santa Ana woman denied parole

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Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2014

PAROLE DENIED FOR INMATE CONVICTED OF KILLING 67-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN 2000 DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

SANTA ANA – The Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, denied parole for a man convicted of killing a 67-year-old woman in a drive-by shooting in 2000. Carlos Eduardo Sanchez, 30, is currently being held at Calipatria State Prison, Calipatria. Sanchez was sentenced Sept. 20, 2002, to 15 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty of one felony count of second degree murder. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Sonia Balleste.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Olivieri was present to oppose Sanchez’s parole. The inmate will be eligible for his next parole hearing in 2019. Continue reading→

Deadline to comment on the City’s 5-Year Strategic Plan set for 2/14

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Santa Ana Strategic Planning Forum

City of Santa Ana

Community Reminder: Deadline to Submit Comment on 5-year Strategic Plan Draft is Friday, 2/14/14 at 5 PM

SANTA ANA, CA (February 13, 2014) – The Santa Ana Mayor and City Council are in the process of developing a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan to guide our city towards the future. A copy of the draft document has been posted online. In order to better serve our community, the draft document is available for review in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Everyone is encouraged to read the document and to provide comment online at http://www.santa-ana.org/strategic-planning/community-overview/comments.asp. Continue reading→

SigAlert issued on Eastbound 17th after a lady drives into a tree and dies

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Not the same incident but this was a similar one

Not the same incident but this was a similar one

At 11:16 AM, SAPD officers were dispatched to a possible fatal traffic collision near the intersection of 17th and Newhope, according to an SAPD press release.

The collision involved a single vehicle being driven by a female adult (60’s) which struck a tree in the center median.

The SAPD has issued a SigAlert for Eastbound 17th street Newhope to Harbor Blvd until further notice. Continue reading→

Boys and Girls Club’s Youth of the Year wins a scholarship and recognition

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Liz Cruz, Jesse Barrios, and Martha Trejo and Daisy Monjaras

Liz Cruz, Jesse Barrios, and Martha Trejo and Daisy Monjaras

Every year, the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana sets out to find a well-respected, well-rounded, morally strong, and academically focused Club member to represent the organization as their Youth of the Year.

The stakes were high this year, their panel of judges had to choose only one winner from the five highly qualified teen finalists.

They are proud to announce Daisy Monjaras, a 17-year-old Club member, who has a great moral compass, strong communication skills, and a passionate heart, was selected as this year’s Youth of the Year! Continue reading→

Win great prizes at the OC Fair Imaginology Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead competitions

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Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead

MEDIA/PRESS CONTACT: Robin Wachner, Communications Dept., OC Fair & Event Center, (714) 708-154

OC Fair Imaginology Event Challenges Students to Go “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead” With Free Competitions

Entry deadline is March 21. Open to children grades pre-K to 12.

Costa Mesa, Calif. (February 11, 2014) – The OC Fair & Event Center’s Imaginology event is challenging local students to demonstrate their abilities in the S.T.E.A.M. curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) with a variety of free competitions. All entries need to be registered online at ocfair.com/steam by Friday, March 21, 2014. All qualified entries will be on public display during the Imaginology event April 11-13 and all division winners will receive cash awards.

The Imaginology free contests and projects offered this year include: Continue reading→

OC Clerk-Recorder to team up with the Globetrotters on Valentine’s Day

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Thunder Law

Thunder Law

Hugh Nguyen, Orange County Clerk-Recorder
NEWS RELEASE,  For Immediate Release Feb. 11, 2014
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500

Harlem Globetrotters and Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen  Team Up to Spread the Love on Valentine’s Day

Harlem Globetrotters superstars Wun Versher and Thunder Law will be visiting the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s marriage unit at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana on Valentine’s Day from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Globetrotters will be helping Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen host this year’s Valentine’s Day event.

The Globetrotters will be passing out red roses and welcoming couples looking to “tie the knot” on this special Valentine’s Day. Clerk-Recorder staff has been working hard to ensure that customers experience a memorable wedding day. Continue reading→

Garden Grove man convicted of execution-style murder of Stanton pair

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Hilbert Pineil Thomas

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10ZF0087:  February 11, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF EXECUTION-STYLE DOUBLE MURDER OF STANTON SALES ASSOCIATE AND SECRETARY

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of the double-murder of a Stanton sales associate and his longtime secretary. Hilbert Pineil Thomas, 42, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of two felony counts of special circumstances murder for multiple murders, murder during the commission of robbery, and murder during the commission of burglary. He was also found guilty of one felony count each of second degree robbery, second degree commercial burglary, and the unlawful taking of a vehicle. Continue reading→

Charter School Board Member charged with stealing a record $750K

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Calpac

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # TBA: February 11, 2014

BOARD MEMBER CHARGED WITH STEALING $750,000 IN LARGEST CHARTER SCHOOL THEFT IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY

SANTA ANA – A former board member for a charter school district has been charged with stealing $750,000 in the largest charter school theft in California history. Jeremy Landau, 43, Sherman Oaks, is charged with 13 felony counts of money laundering, two felony counts of misappropriation of public funds, and one felony count of conflict of interest in a sale and purchase, with sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing over $100,000 in loss, property loss over $200,000, and fraudulent transactions over $150,000. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 14 years and eight months in state prison. Landau is being held on $750,000 bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He is expected to be arraigned Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Judge rules that Pham’s alleged killers must stand trial on murder charges

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Kim Pham

A judge has ruled that two women will stand trial on murder charges in connection with the death of a 23-year-old woman left unconscious and fatally injured after a fight outside a Santa Ana nightclub, according to the O.C. Register.

A judge ruled there was enough evidence to try Vanesa Zavala and Candace Brito. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death last month of Annie Hung Kim Pham, according to the S.F. Chronicle. Continue reading→

OCDA to oppose parole of man who killed a Santa Ana grandma in a drive-by

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

OCDA Seal

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2014

OCDA TO OPPOSE PAROLE OF INMATE CONVICTED OF KILLING 67-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN 2000 DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

SANTA ANA – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas is opposing the parole of a man convicted of murdering a 67-year-old Santa Ana woman in a drive-by shooting in 2000. Carlos Eduardo Sanchez, 30, is currently being held at Calipatria State Prison, Calipatria. Sanchez was sentenced Sept. 20, 2002, to 15 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty of one felony count of second degree murder. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Sonia Balleste. Sanchez is scheduled for a parole hearing tomorrow, Feb. 11, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. at the prison before the Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Olivieri will appear at the hearing to oppose Sanchez’s parole. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez to host an ObamaCare/Covered California rally on Feb. 13

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Covered CA Deadline

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District

ADVISORY, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2014

MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, 202-226-8373, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ TO HOST COVERED CA RALLY LAUNCHING ‘COUNTDOWN TO ENROLL OC’

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) will host a rally with Covered California’s Executive Director Peter Lee launching “Countdown to Enroll OC,” her effort to connect Orange County residents with certified, in person bilingual health insurance enrollment services through Covered California this Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. PST at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC), 1000 East Santa Ana Boulevard, Santa Ana, CA 92701-2690. Continue reading→

ObamaCare event to be held in Santa Ana on Feb. 11 at Latino Health Access

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Organizing for Action

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2014

Media Contact: Press@BarackObama.com

OFA-CA Volunteers Holding Event to Encourage Local Community Members to “Be Covered on the 1st”

Millions of Americans Already Benefiting from Affordable Care Act

Santa Ana, CA – This Tuesday, February 11, local OFA volunteers will be taking part in a national day of action to make sure fellow community members have the tools and information they need to get enrolled in quality, affordable health insurance.

Millions of Americans are enrolling in health coverage through the new health insurance marketplace that fits their budgets and covers their needs, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. There is still time to sign up, and OFA is dedicated to having the one-on-one conversations with neighbors, friends and family members that help them get the information they need to enroll. Continue reading→