Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: mexico

The 39th Annual Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade is set for Sep. 16 and 17 in DTSA

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City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: The 39th Annual Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade / El 39o Festival Anual de Fiestas Patrias y Desfile

SANTA ANA, CA –The City of Santa Ana’s 39th annual Fiestas Patrias Festival is taking place on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17, 2017. The festivities begin at 12:00 p.m. each day on Fourth Street in historic Downtown. This annual tradition celebrates Santa Ana’s vibrant Mexican culture with A-list performers each night, delicious food, affordable shopping, interactive activities, exciting carnival rides for children of all ages, and a beer garden open for adults only to enjoy cold, refreshing beverages while enjoying on stage performances. Continue reading→

The SAPD arrested five men for fighting at a charity soccer game last Sunday

Posted on by Posted in Crime, mexico, Santa Ana, Soccer, Sports 3 Comments

Fernando Alberto Vargas

The SAPD arrested five men that were caught on cellphone video getting into a brawl that also involved 45 others at a soccer match that occurred on Sunday, June 25, at Eddie West Field, in Downtown Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The soccer match was the Game of Legends featuring former Club America and Pumas professional players. The event was supposed to be a fundraiser for the United Soccer Talents Foundation, a Santa Ana-based organization that supports soccer players. Continue reading→

What can we learn from the embarrassing soccer fight in Santa Ana on Sunday?

Posted on by Posted in Crime, mexico, Santa Ana, Soccer 7 Comments

A friendly game between former players of two professional Mexican soccer clubs on Sunday afternoon, June 25, at Eddie West Field in Santa Ana turned violent when dozens of fans rushed the field and began beating each other, forcing authorities to suspend the match, according to the O.C. Register.

The “game of legends” featured former Club America and Pumas players was supposed to benefit Santa Ana-based United Soccer Talents Foundation, which supports soccer players. Continue reading→

2017 Santa Ana Cinco de Mayo Festival set for May 6 and 7 in DTSA

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Arts and Culture, Civic Affairs, Family, mexico, music, Santa Ana 2 Comments

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: The 2017 Cinco de Mayo Festival / Festival Cinco de Mayo 2017

SANTA ANA – The City of Santa Ana’s 18th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival is taking place on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2017. The festivities will begin at 12:00 p.m. each day on Fourth Street in historic Downtown Santa Ana. This annual tradition celebrates Santa Ana’s vibrant Mexican culture with live entertainment, including top level performers each night, delicious food, affordable shopping, interactive art activities, and exciting carnival rides for children of all ages. The festival will also include cultural art components throughout the event, as well as a Beer Garden which will be open for adults only to enjoy cold, refreshing beverages.

On Saturday, May 6, the festival’s main stage will feature the talented performances of various Ballet Folklórico and local school dance groups. The event’s international flavor will be brought to the stage through the impressive performances of professional Fandando, Salsa, Cha Cha and Flamenco dan cers. A second stage on the west end Fourth Street will also feature crossover performances by popular and upcoming local bands. These talented artists’ sensational performances will offer something for everyone to enjoy! Continue reading→

Mexican criminal found guilty of murdering a teen model in Irvine back in 1992

Posted on by Posted in Crime, irvine, mexico, OCDA 4 Comments

Leonardo Pimental Sanchez, original booking photo from the 1990’s

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

 

 

Case # 00SF0657

Date: March 23, 2017

FORMER FUGITIVE CONVICTED OF 1992 COLD CASE MURDER OF 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

*Defendant fled to Mexico and was extradited 10 years later

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man who was extradited to Orange County from Mexico was convicted yesterday of murdering a 19-year-old woman in 1992. Leonardo Pimentel Sanchez, 59, Mexico City, Mexico, was found guilty by a jury on March 22, 2017, of one felony count of first degree murder. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. He also faces sentencing enhancements for two prior felony convictions for a 1978 robbery and a 1984 rape and digital penetration in Orange County. The defendant was arrested in Mexico in November 2012, and extradited to Orange County July 23, 2013, following extradition proceedings. A sentencing date has yet to be determined.

Continue reading→

Santa Ana to honor Cesar Chavez, who used the term wetbacks and opposed Mexican immigrants

Posted on by Posted in Civil Rights, immigration, Jose Solorio, Labor, mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

https://youtu.be/lQ9jIXHhFJI

Cesar Chavez believed ferociously in the border of the United States — because that border protected his union. So ferociously did he hold this view that the New York Times ran a story detailing an accusation that the union Chavez founded, the United Farm Workers, set up a 100 mile “wet line” to keep “wetbacks” and “illegals” — yes, all of those are Chavez’s words — out of the United States, according to the American Spectator.

A 1969 article in the Lodi News-Sentinel also quoted Dolores Huerta, who helped found the UFW with Chavez, using the term. “There is a detention camp for wetbacks at Coachella from where they’re (wetbacks) (sic) taken out every day to work in the fields,” one article says, according to the Huffington Post. Continue reading→

Did Sarmiento vote for the Sanctuary City ordinance in order to protect his own family’s interests?

Posted on by Posted in Crime, immigration, mexico, Politics, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 5 Comments

Oscar Roberto Urbina

I took a call this week from a young lady who had quite a story to tell. Apparently she was dating a musician named Oscar Roberto Urbina, a 46-year old man who performs in a band called Libertad Chicana. The relationship went sideways and Urbina started to pester her at work. The young lady eventually got a temporary restraining order. Then Urbina showed up at her work, a market in Santa Ana, and he allegedly assaulted her.

Urbina was charged with “Disobeying domestic relations court order” on Feb. 1, and a jury trial has been set for April 7, according to OC Court Case Number 17CM01158. The victim says Urbina is fairly broke but someone paid his $15K bail to get him back on the streets. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man identified as a cold case murder suspect thought to be hiding in Mexico

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, mexico, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

CMPD HAS IDENTIFIED HOMICIDE SUSPECT IN 1997 COLD CASE RAPE-MURDER OF 26-YEAR-OLD FEMALE VICTIM
 
Case will be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney

COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) has identified the suspect in the 1997 cold case rape-murder of 26-year-old Sunny Adrienne Sudweeks. The identity of the suspect has been unknown until recently and after extensive follow-up investigation and exhausting all avenues to capture the suspect, CMPD hopes to bring the suspect to justice by making his identity known. Felipe Vianney Hernandez Tellez, 43, has been identified as the homicide suspect who raped and murdered Sudweeks in 1997. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man on trial after killing his sister’s boyfriend and fleeing to Mexico

Posted on by Posted in Crime, mexico, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0763

Date: January 27, 2017

MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR SHOOTING-MURDER OF SISTER’S BOYFRIEND BEFORE FLEEING TO MEXICO

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man is scheduled to face trial on Monday for the shooting-murder of his sister’s boyfriend before fleeing to Mexico. Adan Rodriguez Leon, 34, Santa Ana, was charged on April 13, 2015, with one felony count of murder and a sentencing enhancement for personal discharge of a firearm causing death. If convicted, Leon faces a maximum sentence of 52 years to life in state prison. The defendant is being held on $5 million bail, and opening statements are scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-44, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 8, 2015, Leon is accused of going to the home of his sister’s boyfriend, 39-year-old Paul Guzman, in Santa Ana. The defendant is accused of contacting Guzman and walking down the sidewalk with him. Leon is accused of pulling out a loaded firearm, shooting the victim multiple times, and fleeing the scene. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council unanimously passed a Sanctuary City ordinance

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, immigration, mexico, Politics, Santa Ana 4 Comments

santa-ana-sanctuary-city

The Santa Ana City Council voted unanimously at their meeting last night to adopt an ordinance declaring itself a sanctuary for all residents regardless of immigration status, according to the O.C. Register.

The ordinance means that the similar resolution passed by the City Council at their last meeting is now going to be a city law. And this time everyone on the Council showed up and voted for the new ordinance including new City Council members Juan Villegas and Jose Solorio, as well as Mayor Miguel Pulido. Continue reading→

Santa Ana gangbanger extradited from Mexico charged with multiple felonies for a 2011 murder

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Gangs, mexico, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

GANG MEMBER EXTRADITED FROM MEXICO TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR 2011 MURDER OF 16-YEAR-OLD RIVAL IN SANTA ANA

*Co-defendant was arrested shortly after the murder and is awaiting trial

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A gang member who was extradited from Mexico last week is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for the 2011 murder of a 16-year-old rival in Santa Ana. Jesus Canales, 23, Santa Ana, was charged on July 25, 2011, with one felony count of special circumstances first degree murder committed for a criminal street gang purpose and one felony count of street terrorism, with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and discharge of a firearm causing death. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Dec. 13, 2016, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Juan Manuel Galvan, 25, Santa Ana, was charged on July 25, 2011, with one felony count of murder and one felony count of street terrorism, with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and vicarious discharge of a firearm causing death. He is being held without bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Feb. 2, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-35, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

38th Annual Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade set for Sep. 10 and 11 in DTSA

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

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: 38th Annual Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade / 38o Festival Anual de Fiestas Patrias y Desfile

The City of Santa Ana’s 38th annual Fiestas Patrias Festival is taking place on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11, 2016. The festivities begin at 12:00 p.m. each day on Fourth Street in historic Downtown. This annual tradition celebrates Santa Ana’s vibrant Mexican culture with A-list performers each night, delicious food, affordable shopping, interactive activities, and exciting carnival rides for children of all ages. The Festival will also include the Plaza de la Cultural, a visual art display commemorating some of Mexico’s most notable heroes, as well as a beer garden open for adults only to enjoy.

On Saturday, September 10, Latin Grammy award winner Ana Barbara will be gracing the festival’s main stage. Ana Barbara has become a prominent figure within Latin entertainment since her professional debut in 1994 and is among one of the leading female figures in regional Mexican music. With a distinct vocal range, songwriting and producing talent, Ana Barbara has defined the modern Grupero performance and is one of the few regional Mexican acts to garner an international following that extends beyond México and the United States. In the past two decades, Ana Barbara has released eleven studio albums, eighteen compilation albums, over thirty music videos, as well as four music video DVD’s. She has sold over 6 million records in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the United States and has been the recipient of Latin music’s most prestigious accolades. Continue reading→

Is it El Centro’s fault that there is no social justice lens in the new Santa Ana Arts Master Plan?

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Latino Leaders, Latinos, mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

This opinion article is a rebuttal to this article

PROTEST, STILL MORE IMPORTANT THAN PEACE, THOUGH GROUPS PARTICIPATED FULLY IN EVERY STEP OF THE PLANNING ! EL CENTRO AND OTHER GROUPS FAIL TO BRING A SOCIAL JUSTICE LENS TO SANTA ANA’S ARTS MASTER PLAN

Groups from El Centro Cultural de Mexico and Santa Ana’s Community Artists have failed, by their own admission in a recent issued statement, to bring a social justice lens to Santa Ana’s first Arts and Culture Master Plan.

Despite having seats on the arts and culture master planning committee table and being represented as stakeholders in planning focus groups where they influenced the plan in meetings, group members have claimed — after the plan was passed on Tuesday August 16th — that the plan has “no social justice lens” as quoted in a recent OC Weekly article Santa Ana City Council Approves 10-Year Arts and Culture Master Plan. Continue reading→

Gangbanger convicted of killing a man on South Main St. then fleeing to Mexico

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 13CF1954

Date: August 2, 2016

MAN CONVICTED OF STABBING-MURDER OF ACQUAINTENCE AFTER CHASING AND STALKING HIM BEFORE FLEEING TO MEXICO

FULLERTON, Calif. – A man was convicted today of stabbing and murdering an acquaintance after chasing and stalking him before fleeing to Mexico. Mario Alberto Rodriguez, 26, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. Rodriguez’s prior serious felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance for sale for the benefit of a criminal street gang in 2012 in Orange County was found true. Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of 36 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on Oct. 7, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department N-11, North Justice Center, Fullerton.

On March 9, 2013, Rodriguez saw 26-year-old acquaintance Paul Anthony Garcia in front of the defendant’s family’s home in Santa Ana, and chased him on foot. Rodriguez and two associates followed Garcia for a few blocks until he entered the El Chile Picante restaurant on South Main Street. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man who fled to Mexico charged with stalking, stabbing and murdering a man from Irvine

Posted on by Posted in Crime, mexico, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 13CF1954

Date: July 20, 2016

MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR STABBING-MURDER OF ACQUAINTENCE AFTER CHASING AND STALKING HIM AND FLEEING TO MEXICO

FULLERTON, Calif. – A man is scheduled to face trial tomorrow for the stabbing-murder of his acquaintance after chasing and stalking him and fleeing to Mexico. Mario Alberto Rodriguez, 26, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. If convicted, Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, July 21, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. in Department N-11, North Justice Center, Fullerton.

On March 9, 2013, Rodriguez is accused of seeing 26-year-old acquaintance Paul Anthony Garcia, from Irvine, in front of the defendant’s family’s home in Santa Ana, and chasing him on foot. Rodriguez and two associates followed Garcia for a few blocks until he entered the El Chile Picante Restaurant on South Main Street. Continue reading→