Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Orange County

$1.9B I-405 improvement project to kick off on Jan. 26

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Traffic, Transportation Leave a comment

$1.9 Billion I-405 Improvement Project Kicks Off

The largest highway project under construction in the state to deliver relief on busiest stretch of highway in the nation

The Orange County Transportation Authority, in cooperation with Caltrans, is leading the I-405 Improvement Project between State Route 73 in Costa Mesa and Interstate 605 at the Orange County border with Los Angeles County.
The $1.9 billion project, funded with a combination of local, state and federal funds, will be the largest highway project under construction in California. Continue reading→

The OC Supervisors direct $15M for mental health housing to aid the homeless

Posted on by Posted in Andrew Do, homeless, Mental Health, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Chairman Andrew Do and Vice Chairman Shawn Nelson directed the Orange County Health Care Agency to use $15 million of available unspent Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds for mental health housing projects. This funding is aimed at increasing the number of mental health housing units available in Orange County to house chronically homeless individuals with severe mental illnesses.

The directive was introduced by Chairman Andrew Do and seconded by Vice Chairman Shawn Nelson, both of whom have worked collaboratively to bring this to the Board of Supervisors. The Board approved the motion unanimously. This additional funding will be critical in completing future projects for MHSA Housing. Continue reading→

Woman arrested for DUI crash that killed a Santa Ana man back in 2016

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a woman for murder following a 2016 vehicle collision where she was found to be driving under the influence.

On Oct. 1, 2016, at approximately 2:15 a.m. Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies and the Orange County Fire Authority responded to an injury traffic collision on eastbound Alton Pkwy between the 241 toll road and Towne Centre Drive in the city of Lake Forest.

Deputies located two involved vehicles, a Hyundai sedan and a Ford pickup with major damage. The male driver of the Ford pickup was identified as Jose Barrazasoto (12-29-75) of Santa Ana. Barrazasota was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female driver of the Hyundai sedan was identified as Jacie Cornish (8-30-93) of Foothill Ranch, who suffered minor injuries and was admitted to the hospital. Continue reading→

Remarks by OCDA Rackauckas regarding the murder of an OC School of the Arts grad

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 18HF0073

Date: January 17, 2018

REMARKS BY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TONY RACKAUCKAS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Good morning and thank you for joining us today. We have been working with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department around the clock since Blaze Bernstein was reported missing on January 3.

As the search continued, Blaze’s family, friends, fellow Orange County residents, and tens of thousands of people around the world were all hoping there was an innocent explanation as to why Blaze had not returned home. We were all hopeful he would show up and reunite with his friends and family and life for all involved would resume. As we all became sadly aware last week, that is not the case. Continue reading→

OC School of the Arts grad charged with murdering a former classmate

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

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 18HF0073

Date: January 17, 2018

FORMER CLASSMATE CHARGED WITH MURDERING 19-YEAR-OLD BLAZE BERNSTEIN AND BURYING HIS BODY IN SHALLOW GRAVE IN BORREGO PARK

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former classmate of 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein was charged today with murdering the victim and burying his body in a shallow grave in Borrego Park in Lake Forest.

Defendant: Samuel Lincoln Woodward, 20, Newport Beach

Charged today with: Continue reading→

Andrew Do elected to chair the OC Board of Supervisors this year

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Supervisor Andrew Do Elected 2018 Board Chairman

Supervisor Shawn Nelson Will Serve as Vice Chair

Santa Ana, Calif. (January 9, 2018) – Supervisor Andrew Do, First District, has been chosen unanimously by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors for 2018. Supervisor Shawn Nelson, Fourth District, will serve as the Board’s Vice Chair. Continue reading→

The County of Orange will close a portion of the Santa Ana River Trail for a project

Posted on by Posted in homeless, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, public works, Santa Ana Leave a comment

County To Temporarily Close Portion of Santa Ana River Trail for Project, Actively Enforce Public Access Hours

Beginning Monday, January 22, 2018, the County of Orange will temporarily close a portion of the Santa Ana River Trail (SART) from Memory Lane in Orange to Taft Avenue/Ball Road in Anaheim for an environmental remediation project. Upon completion of the project, estimated to last up to three months, the County will reopen the closed portion of the SART for recreational trail use during posted public access hours. Continue reading→

Man who fled to Mexico convicted of molesting a 12-year-old girl in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, mexico, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 13HF0941

Date: January 8, 2018

MAN EXTRADITED FROM MEXICO AFTER FLEEING DURING TRIAL FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL

*Defendant convicted in absentia

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was extradited from Mexico after fleeing during his trial for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl.

Defendant: Robert Lewis Carella, 38, Vista

Found guilty by a jury in absentia on June 22, 2015, of the following felony counts: Continue reading→

This week’s Cochino List includes a Subway Sandwiches in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The OC Health Care Agency regularly conducts surprise health inspections at local restaurants and eateries. Here are the locations that they inspected and shut down for the week of Dec. 22-29:

Continue reading→

Update from the OC Treasurer/Tax Collector regarding the Federal Tax Changes

Posted on by Posted in OC Treasurer, Orange County, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

Important Federal Tax Changes Relating to Property Taxes!

The new federal legislation relating to the deductibility of State and Local Taxes (SALT) greatly scales back how much state and local taxes can be deducted on federal income taxes in 2018. Under the 2017 federal law, the SALT deduction is unlimited. In the new legislation, taxpayers can only deduct up to $10,000, any combination of property, income or sales taxes. As the average secured property tax bill in fiscal year 2017-2018 is approximately $7,100, and California has both an income tax and sales tax, it is likely that many taxpayers would pay more than $10,000 in SALT next year.

Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich is encouraging taxpayers to check with their CPAs or financial advisors to see if paying the second installment of the fiscal year 2017-18 property taxes or any outstanding supplemental property taxes prior to December 31, 2017, makes financial sense. The second installment of secured property taxes is due on February 1 and late after April 10, 2018. Every year, we have many taxpayers that make both installment payments prior to the end of the calendar year. Continue reading→

The OC Streetcar project is now accepting construction bids to connect DTSA to Garden Grove

Posted on by Posted in Garden Grove, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 1 Comment

OC Streetcar Rolls On with Invitation for Construction Bids

Invitation for pre-qualified firms to submit bids to build the OC Streetcar system in Santa Ana and Garden Grove moves project closer to breaking ground next year

ORANGE – Plans for Orange County’s first modern streetcar took another major step forward this month when the Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors approved the release of an invitation for bids to build the OC Streetcar.

The invitation for bids from contractors marks a significant milestone for the project as it begins the process to select a qualified contractor to build the 4.1-mile streetcar that will run through the heart of Orange County, in Santa Ana and Garden Grove. Continue reading→

The OC Sheriff is now complying with California’s new Sanctuary State law

Posted on by Posted in Crime, immigration, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Changes to OCSD custody procedures due to SB54 to take effect today

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Dec. 27, 2017) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is making several changes to its custody operations in light of recent legislation expected to take effect Jan. 1.

The most notable changes, which will be implemented starting today, Dec. 27, are expected in the department’s 287(g) program. They will be as follows: Continue reading→

Why is the City of Santa Ana misleading us about Hepatitis A cases in Orange County?

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Disease, Drugs, homeless, OC Health Care, Orange County, Robert Cortez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Is the city of Santa Ana telling us the truth about Hepatitis A?

A recent article on the homeless encampments in the Civic Center quotes Robert Cortez from the City Manager’s office:

“Cortez said city leaders are concerned about disease as a statewide outbreak of hepatitis that started in a San Diego homeless encampment and spread to Los Angeles and beyond. So far 672 have been reported statewide, but none in Orange County.” Continue reading→

OCTA to use $75,000 grant for bicyclist and pedestrian safety

Posted on by Posted in Bicycles, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 1 Comment

OCTA to Use $75,000 Grant for Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety

California Office of Traffic Safety grant will help fund safety training and materials

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for a year-long community program dedicated to bicycle-skills training and distribution of safety equipment for people walking and biking.

The aim of the program is to increase safety and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities. OCTA will use the funding as part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to deliver transportation solutions, including for active transportation – biking, walking and skating. Continue reading→