Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza

Details about the vicious murder of Kim Pham emerge at preliminary hearing

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Vietnamese 21 Comments

Candace Brito and Vanesa Zavala

Candace Brito, 27, and Vanesa Zavala, 25, appeared at a preliminary hearing as  Pham’s family member wore buttons with the victim’s likeness. Both women had  pleaded not guilty to murder, according to KTLA.  A judge will decide if there is enough evidence to send two women to trial on charges they stomped and kicked a 23-year-old woman to death in a fight outside a popular California nightclub.

Patricia Navarro, a veteran Santa Ana homicide detective, said a witness reported seeing Vanesa Tapia Zavala, 25, join in a fight that started with a verbal altercation. Zavala and Candace Marie Brito, 27, both office workers from Santa Ana, have pleaded not guilty to murder charges, according to the OC Register. Continue reading→

Bingo Nights to support local artists set for Monday nights at Chapter One

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Santa Ana artists bingo

Chapter One: the Modern Local is hosting Bingo Nights on Mondays in February, in their Red Room, to benefit local artists. The next bingo night is set for Monday, February 10, 2014, at 7 pm.  Gamble & Drink Beer knowing that you are giving back a part of what you spend to support community art in Santa Ana. Here’s your chance to contribute!  Money well spent!

The Santa Ana Community Artist Coalition is the organizer of this event. Continue reading→

Snake Night at the Santiago Park Nature Reserve set for March 28

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, Nature, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Snake Night Header

SNAKE NIGHT @ CITY OF SANTA ANA: SANTIAGO CREEK WILDLIFE AND WATERSHED CENTER, SANTIAGO PARK NATURE RESERVE

The Santiago Creek Wildlife and Watershed Center, at the Santiago Park Nature Reserve, is hosting a “Snake Night” on Friday, March 28, 2014, at 6 pm.

Have questions about local snakes? Watch a FREE educational presentation by Kevin Erbas-White, an Educational Specialist from the North American Field Herping Association (N.A.F.H.A.), “Using Satellites to Distinguish Rattlesnake Habitat Preferences.” Continue reading→

OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens endorses Jeff Ferguson for OC Judge 2014

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Courts, Orange County, Politics, Sandra Hutchens Leave a comment

Jeff Ferguson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 714-313-7824

OC SHERIFF SANDRA HUTCHENS ENDORSES JEFF FERGUSON FOR OC JUDGE 2014

Sandra Hutchens, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner, endorsed Jeff Ferguson for OC Judge this week. Ferguson is a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Orange County.

“I am deeply gratified by Sheriff Hutchens belief in my committment to public safety and the fair administration of justice,” said Ferguson. “Our safe streets has been my top priority as a prosecutor, and will remain my top priority as a judge.” Continue reading→

Bombazo Fandango IV set for tonight at the Epicospal Church of the Messiah

Posted on by Posted in Churches and Religion, Entertainment, Latinos, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Bombazo Fandango

The Bombazo Fandango IV is set for tonight, February 8, 2014, from 7 pm to 11 pm, at the Epicospal Church of the Messiah, at 614 N Bush Street, in Santa Ana.  Admission is only $5!

BOMBAZO FANDANGO in Santa Ana!!! Bomba is one of the traditional musical genres from Puerto Rico, characterized by barrel drums (barriles), a shaker (maraca), sticks (cuas), call and response of song and the dynamic conversation between dancer and lead drummer (primo/subidor).
Bombazo= bomba gathering/conviviencia. Continue reading→

Man gets death penalty for raping and murdering a pregnant newlywed

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Jason Balcom

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 07ZF0005: February 7, 2014

MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH AFTER BEING LINKED THROUGH DNA TO 1988 COLD CASE SEXUAL ASSAULT-MURDER OF YOUNG PREGNANT NEWLYWED

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced to death today for the 1988 cold case sexual assault-murder of a pregnant 22-year-old newlywed after being linked to the crime through DNA. Jason Balcom, 43, was found guilty by a jury March 12, 2012, of one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of rape, sodomy, robbery, and burglary. He was recommended to receive the death penalty by a jury during a second penalty phase trial on Feb. 28, 2013. A mistrial was declared in the first penalty phase trial on March 27, 2012.

In July 1988, 22-year-old Malinda Gibbons and her husband Kent Gibbons moved to Costa Mesa from Utah. On the morning of July 18, 1988, Kent Gibbons left for work and Malinda Gibbons, who was between four and six weeks pregnant, stayed home to unpack in their new apartment. Continue reading→

Santa Ana resident Blanca Ibarra among OCTA’s Employees of the Year

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Supervisor Nelson congratulating Blanca Ibarra, who was named Employee of the Year

Supervisor Nelson congratulating Blanca Ibarra, who was named Employee of the Year

OCTA Awards Employees of the Year

By Shawn Nelson, Chairman of the OC Board of Supervisors

The Orange County Transportation Authority recently announced the 2013 Employees of the Year: Harry Marshall, Binh Do and Blanca Ibarra.

Tustin resident Harry Marshall was named Coach Operator of the Year for his excellent driving record, customer safety and attention to detail. Marshall works out of OCTA’s Garden Grove bus base and has achieved 35 years of safe driving. Marshall consistently demonstrates OCTA’s performance measurements of safety, courtesy and reliability in his daily duties. In addition, he is a safety captain and a vital member of Operations Teamwork at Garden Grove. He participates in roundtable meetings sharing his experience and coaching his fellow colleagues. Continue reading→

Former L.A. Deputy Sheriff from Anaheim convicted for beating up his girlfriend

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Mark Eric Hibner

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13NF0734: February 7, 2014

FORMER LOS ANGELES SHERIFF’S DEPUTY SENTENCED FOR REPEATEDLY ASSAULTING WOMAN, WITH WHOM HE WAS IN RELATIONSHIP, AFTER SHE DISCOVERED SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER WOMAN

SANTA ANA – A former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was sentenced today for repeatedly assaulting a woman, with whom he had a relationship, after she discovered on Christmas Day that he was sexually involved with another woman. Mark Eric Hibner, 44, Anaheim, was found guilty by a jury, Oct. 22, 2013, of two felony counts of domestic battery with corporal injury and three felony counts of criminal threats. The People requested a state prison sentence, but Hibner was sentenced today to one year in jail and five years formal probation.

At the time of the crimes, Hibner was a 22-year deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was involved in a romantic relationship with Jane Doe #1 for several years. Continue reading→

Candidates for the SAUSD School Board beginning to emerge

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Cecilia Aguinaga, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, Eric Alderete, John Palacio, Santa Ana, Valerie Amezcua Leave a comment
Valerie Amezcua

Valerie Amezcua

Rumor has it that longtime SAUSD School Board Member Audrey Yamagata-Noji is finally going to retire this year.  That means her seat will open up this November.  The other incumbent who is up for re-election is John Palacio.

Cecilia Aguinaga has already started campaigning. I heard today that Valerie Amezcua, who like Aguinaga has run unsuccessfully before for the SAUSD School Board, will also be in the race.  And local businessman Mike Dalati appears to also be running in what is quickly turning into a crowded race. Continue reading→

A message from the Santa Ana Family YMCA

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Santa Ana Family YMCA

A message from Jack Salseda jsalseda@ymcaoc.org. 

Dear Family Friends & Colleagues:

Building a stronger community is a cause that is very important to me. That’s why I’m proud to support the Santa Ana Family YMCA both as a employee and volunteer. The YMCA has been helping people throughout our community to learn, grow and thrive for more than 126 years. As our community evolves and faces new challenges, so has our YMCA evolved to meet those needs. Whether it’s providing a quality after school program where kids are safe, supporting individuals facing chronic diseases or providing financial assistance so that all people may access our sports and swim programs, the Y is there to meet the challenge and make our community stronger. Your support can help make that possible. Continue reading→

Confirmed measles cases in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OC Health Care Agency Press Release

Confirmed Measles Activity in Orange County Underscores the Importance of Childhood Vaccination

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed three cases of measles in Orange County in the last six weeks. These cases are unrelated and thus far have not resulted in transmission to other Orange County residents. In the last five years, Orange County has only seen zero to one case of the measles per year. The Orange County Health Care Agency reminds people that the way to protect yourself and your family against the measles is to get the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Continue reading→

City to host a Community Graffiti Clean-Up/Education Day on 2/22

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Graffiti, Santa Ana 2 Comments

fisher park crime

City of Santa Ana, Orange County’s Downtown

Community Alert: City of Santa Ana Scheduled to Host a Community Graffiti Clean-up/Education Day

SANTA ANA, CA (February 6, 2014) – In promoting the City’s graffiti abatement efforts, Santa Ana Public Works in collaboration with residents, community volunteers/ organizations, and city contracted graffiti removal crews will host a Community Graffiti Clean-up and Education Day. Graffiti Protective Coatings will provide materials and supplies for the graffiti abatement. Coffee and donuts will also be given along with T-shirts for the first 100 volunteers who pre-register. The graffiti clean-up day will begin at Carl Thornton Park’s, Kiwanis Barrier Free Park Amphitheatre and will proceed throughout the park and various surrounding neighborhoods. Continue reading→

Food and Book Drive for needy families and kids set for Friday, Feb. 7

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Entertainment, Food, homeless, Literature, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

Food and Book Drive

Operation Warm Wishes Presents: I Love to Give! I Love to Read! – Food and Book Drive for families, children and schools in need!
An event for the whole family and community All are welcome!
Join us as for an exciting time of giving and serving as we read, play board games and enjoy coffee and hot chocolate with children/students and families in need. It’s going to super fun time!
Join us for an exciting time of giving and serving as we read, play board games and enjoy coffee and hot chocolate with children/students and families in  need at Starbucks Coffee in the Larwin Sqaure Shopping Center (552 E 1st St, Tustin, CA 92780) in Tustin, on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, from 4:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. We are collecting food and books for families, students and schools in need.

Free ObamaCare enrollment assistance offered by AltaMed on Feb. 8

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Altamed Logo

FREE ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE IN ORANGE COUNTY ON FEB. 8TH AS DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR OBAMACARE COVERAGE APPROACHES

February 15th Marks Deadline to Sign up for Obamacare Coverage Effective on March 1, 2014, AltaMed Health Services to Offer Free Enrollment Assistance for Orange County Residents

WHO/WHAT: February 15th marks the deadline to sign up for health care coverage effective March 1, 2014 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Navigating through the new health insurance plans under the ACA can be overwhelming for many, especially for those who may be purchasing health insurance for the first time. On Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., not-for-profit AltaMed Health Services, the largest network of Federally Qualified Community Health Centers in southern California, will provide the public with free enrollment assistance at its Health Insurance Resource Center in Santa Ana. Certified enrollment experts will be available to address the public’s questions regarding who qualifies for coverage under health care reform, what’s covered, where to enroll, who are the plan providers and more. The public can call 877-462-2582 to get more information. Continue reading→

Studio del Sotano in The Santora presents the Vanguard Avant-Garde!

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Studio del Sotano in The Santora presents: The Vanguard Avant-Garde!

In order to better lubricate the smooth arrival of the “Avant Garde” Musical Infiltration & Nazi Blitzkreig style Gentrification of the Santora, we are sending in our very own Vanguard Art Front the evening before.

Oh Yeah! Please join us the evening of Friday, February 21 7:00 pm as we feature: Continue reading→