Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza

Santa Ana man faces trial for hit and run crash that killed a pedestrian

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Victor Manuel Arredondo Anaya

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0131: January 30, 2014

MAN FACES TRIAL FOR KILLING PEDESTRIAN IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH

SANTA ANA – A man faces trial today for killing a pedestrian by crashing into the victim with his car and then fleeing the scene. Victor Manuel Arredondo Anaya, 28, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of hit and run causing death and one misdemeanor count each of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence and driving on a suspended license. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin this afternoon, Jan. 30, 2014, in Department C-38, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson announces 2014 Transportation Initiatives

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Shawn Nelson, OCTA Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 30, 2014

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

OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson announces 2014 Transportation Initiatives

Goals focus on delivering transportation solutions for all Orange County residents

ORANGE – Orange County Transportation Authority Chairman Shawn Nelson unveiled his strategic initiatives for the year ahead, placing the focus on delivering freeway projects, advancing active transportation programs and maximizing funding and regional opportunities. Continue reading→

DTSA imploding as restaurants close and artists are evicted

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Arts and Culture, Bars, Crime, Santa Ana 28 Comments
The party is over at The Crosby

The party is over at The Crosby

The hipsters and gentrifiers are trying to argue that all is well in Downtown Santa Ana, in the wake of the brutal murder of Kim Pham, who was literally kicked in the head until she went into a coma, in front of The Crosby, a bar/restaurant.  She later died in the hospital.

The Crosby is done.  According to the OC Weekly they are not going to reopen.  And the Memphis at the Santora is also done.  They will apparently be replaced by a “High End Mexican Restaurant,” whatever the heck that is.  Imagine the limo liberals from Irvine and Long Beach holding Drinking Liberally in a Mexican restaurant!  LOL!

And Jack Jakosky, the owner of the Santora building served eviction notices yesterday on the Studio del Sotano and the Green Door Gallery, weeks after whitewashing a mural at the Santora and painting over the Studio del Sotano’s marquee. Continue reading→

Former Servite teacher posed as a girl on Facebook to get nude pics of boys

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Education, irvine, OCDA Leave a comment

Zachary Joshua Reeder

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13HF0513: January 29, 2014

MALE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR POSING AS TEENAGE GIRL ENCOURAGING SEX ACTS AND OBTAINING NUDE PHOTOS OF OVER 100 UNDERAGE BOYS THROUGH FACEBOOK

SANTA ANA – An Anaheim high school teacher was convicted and sentenced today to 10 years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration for encouraging sex acts and soliciting and possessing nude photos and videos of over 100 underage boys by posing as a teenage girl on Facebook. Zachary Joshua Reeder, 31, Orange, pleaded guilty today to four felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor, two felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, two felony counts of contacting a child with the intent to commit a lewd act, one felony count each of using a minor for sex acts, lewd act upon a child, possession and control of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography.

At the time of the crimes, Reeder was a history teacher at Servite High School, an all-boys college preparatory high school in Anaheim. Reeder previously worked as a history teacher and a walk-on assistant baseball coach for four seasons at Arnold O. Beckman High School in Irvine. Continue reading→

Liberals drink more alcohol, study finds

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Liberals 2 Comments

David Benavides at Alderete's Fundraiser

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: January 29, 2014
Location: New York, NY, USA

Liberals drink more alcohol, study finds

Could your political party predict your propensity for partying? A sobering study published by the Journal of Wine Economics finds that alcohol consumption in American states rises as the population’s political persuasion becomes more liberal.

Findings from the study into the relationship between drink and politics across 50 states in the US over the past 50 years suggest a direct correlation between political beliefs and the demand for alcohol. Continue reading→

David Nakashima honored with Fairhaven’s Oliver Haskell Care Award

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David Nakashima

DAVID NAKASHIMA HONORED WITH FAIRHAVEN’S OLIVER HALSELL CARE AWARD

ORANGE, Calif., (Jan. 29, 2014) – When Orange resident David Nakashima finally found the time to pursue his desire to volunteer with hospice patients, he discovered a surprisingly fulfilling new outreach. His presence at OC Hospice in Tustin has brought a great deal of comfort not only to the patients and their families but also to Nakashima himself.

Nakashima is being honored as the January recipient of Fairhaven’s Oliver Halsell Care Award. Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, with locations in Santa Ana and Mission Viejo, created the recognition program in 2012 to pay tribute each month to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional care in their profession, community and the world at large. Continue reading→

“Snakeman” William Buchman booked into SAPD jail for animal cruelty

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William Buchman

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: William Buchman (53) booked into SAPD Jail for Animal Cruelty after PD serves search warrant on home with several hundred snakes

SANTA ANA, CA (January 29, 2014) – SAPD Animal Services and police officers serve search warrant on residence that reportedly contains several hundred snakes. Continue reading→

SAPD searching a home with hundreds of snakes after neighbors complain

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Nature, Pets, Santa Ana 5 Comments

snakes in santa ana

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:  SAPD serving search warrant on home with several hundred snakes after neighbors complain of deplorable conditions

SANTA ANA, CA (January 29, 2014) – SAPD Animal Services and police officers serve search warrant on residence that reportedly contains several hundred snakes.

Animal Services began their investigation upon receiving complaints from neighbors about the foul odor emitting from the home. Continue reading→

Garden Grove man faces death penalty trial for Stanton double murder

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA, Stanton Leave a comment

Hibert Pinell Thomas

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10ZF0087: January 28, 2014

MAN FACES DEATH PENALTY TRIAL FOR EXECUTION-STYLE DOUBLE MURDER OF STANTON SALES ASSOCIATE AND SECRETARY

SANTA ANA – A man faces a death penalty jury trial tomorrow for the double-murder of a Stanton sales associate and his longtime secretary. Hilbert Pineil Thomas, 42, Garden Grove, is charged with two felony counts of special circumstances murder for multiple murders, murder during the commission of robbery, and murder during the commission of burglary. He is also charged with one felony count each of second degree robbery, second degree commercial burglary, and the unlawful taking of a vehicle. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

City’s 5-year Strategic Plan community meeting to be held at a union hall

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Labor, Santa Ana Leave a comment

chart_graphic

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: 5-year Strategic Plan Community Overview Meeting Location Finalized

SANTA ANA, CA (January 28, 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. The City invites all to attend an informational meeting to view the draft 5-year strategic plan and provide comment. Comments will be received and incorporated into the final draft, which will later be presented to the entire City Council for adoption. The online comment period is currently open and will conclude on Friday, February 14, 2014. Community members will have the option of submitting comment cards during the overview meeting or submit them online at www.santa-ana.org/strategic-planning/community-overview/comments.asp.

Community Overview Meeting Information: Continue reading→

Victim of shooting on South Standard played football at Godinez High School

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Football, Santa Ana, SAUSD 14 Comments

Jeffrey Enriquez

The victim of the shooting death in the 1400 block of South Standard on January 24, 2014 has been identified as Jeffrey “Jay Jay” Enriquez (18) of Santa Ana, a former football player at Godinez Fundamental High School. He leaves behind his mom, Maria, and seven brothers and sisters.

On 1-24-14, at approximately 1:10 AM, Santa Ana patrol officers responded to a report of a person who was observed lying on the ground in the 1400 block South Standard Street. Upon their arrival, officers found a male adult who was shot and in need of medical assistance. The Orange County Fire Authority and paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the subject, who was later identified as Enriquez, deceased, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

Candace Marie Brito charged with Kim Pham’s murder at The Crosby

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 10 Comments

Candace Marie Brito

A second Santa Ana woman, Candace Marie Brito, 27, has been charged with murder in the beating death of 23-year-old Annie Kim Pham outside the Crosby nightclub, and is scheduled to be arraigned at 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office., as reported by the O.C. Register.

Brito’s arrest was announced Friday by Santa Ana police, who did not identify her citing the ongoing investigation.  Continue reading→

Does another club fight signal the start of a race war in Orange County?

Posted on by Posted in Bars, Costa Mesa, Crime, Santa Ana 51 Comments

Partying at Sutra

Police are searching for up to six suspects who attacked a group inside Sutra nightclub in Costa Mesa, this past Friday morning, and beat two victims so severely they required hospitalization. Three men were at a VIP table inside the club on Harbor Boulevard when the attackers jumped them about 12:30 a.m. Friday, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Stephanie Selinske said, according to the Daily Pilot.

This began around 3 a.m. Friday at the club in the Triangle at 1870 Harbor Blvd., when the trio was attacked by what police Sgt. S. Selinske only described as “male Asians who appeared to be in their early twenties,” according to the OC Weekly.

I was afraid this might happen.  There has been no justice in the recent killing of Kim Pham outside of The Crosby, a Santa Ana hipster bar/restaurant.  Two women have been arrested but there are several suspects still on the loose and Pham’s friends are afraid to talk to the cops.  But Asians have gotten the message – and they appear to be ready to fight back. Continue reading→

34th State Senate candidate Solorio has amassed a campaign coffer of $540K

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jose Solorio

For Immediate Release: January 27, 2014

For More Information Contact: Maricela Taylor – mobile: (714) 794-8431

SOLORIO AMASSES STRONG CAMPAIGN WARCHEST IN PREPARATION FOR SENATE RUN THIS YEAR

Santa Ana – Community College Trustee and State Senate candidate Jose Solorio has amassed a campaign coffer of $540,000 for what may be the most hotly-contested State Senate race in the state this year. Last week the Solorio for Senate campaign also announced that State Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and the incoming Senate leader Kevin de León have also endorsed his campaign bid. They will make the race a Senate Democratic Caucus top candidate priority for this 2014 election cycle. Continue reading→

Pham’s Vietnamese friends are afraid to talk to SAPD investigators

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, Vietnamese 9 Comments

As Santa Ana police detectives try to make sense of the melee that led to Kim Pham’s death, the investigation is running into a wall of silence. Pham’s friends have failed to come forward. One flatly refused to meet with law enforcement, despite pleas from the police, according to the L.A. Times.

Police Commander Tim Vu, the highest-ranking Vietnamese-American law enforcement officer in Orange County, says distrust of the government is still common among refugees who arrived in the area after the Vietnam War, according to CBS.

Nevertheless additional facts are beginning to trickle out: Continue reading→