New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Orange County

Rally in support of the proposed Anaheim homeless shelter set for 11/17 in Santa Ana

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Entertainment, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A rally will be taking place in Santa Ana on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, at 9 a.m., at the Orange County Hall of Administration, located at Building 19 at the Santa Ana Civic Center, in support of the proposed homeless shelter at Kraemer Place, in Anaheim.

The residents that live in the areas surrounding the location of the proposed homeless shelter have thus far shown up in great numbers to voice their opposition to the location of the shelter at several forums held over the past few months. Continue reading→

Free flu shots events in Westminster and Santa Ana set for Nov. 6 and 13

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Andrew Do, Disease, Entertainment, Orange County, Santa Ana, Westminster Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2015

CONTACT: Brian Probolsky, brian.probolsky@ocgov.com, (714) 834-3110

Get Your Flu Shot! Supervisor Andrew Do hosts Free Flu Shots Events in Westminster and Santa Ana

(Santa Ana, CA)— It’s time to get your free flu shot. This November, Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do will be hosting two free flu shot events in Westminster and Santa Ana. Both events are co-sponsored by the Orange County Health Care Agency and run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Continue reading→

No need to panic over the new mosquito species in Orange County

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Orange County Vector Control District, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Asian Tiger Mosquito

Orange County Vector control officials are freaking out over reports from Orange County residents about a new invasive species of mosquito, know as the Asian tiger mosquito, at two homes in Los Alamitos and an industrial park in Huntington Beach.

They are also hunting down and killing another non-native and invasive tropical species called the Yellow Fever mosquito, which has turned up in part of Mission Viejo and is now in Garden Grove and Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The Vector Control District tried to spray toxic chemicals throughout central Orange County a few weeks ago only to be rebuffed because they did not file the right paperwork to be able to spray over Disneyland. They did this ostensibly to try to stop the common house mosquitoes as they can carry the West Nile Virus. However there have only been 63 cases of the West Nile Virus in Orange County this year – and only two deaths (both elderly men in their 80’s. Continue reading→

Juvie corrections officer from Santa Ana sentenced for rubbing urine on kids’ shoes

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CM01476

Date: October 28, 2015

FORMER DEPUTY JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER SENTENCED FOR RUBBING MINORS’ SHOES IN URINE WHILE ON DUTY

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former deputy juvenile correctional officer was sentenced today for child abuse by rubbing the shoes of three minors in urine while the minors were in her care. Tamie Marie Bieker, 38, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of child abuse. Bieker was sentenced to four years of informal probation, 30 days of voluntary community service, must complete a one year child abuse program, and was ordered to pay restitution.

At the time of the crimes, Bieker was a deputy juvenile correctional officer at the Juvenile Hall in Orange. The defendant has now formally resigned from her position with the Orange County Probation Department (OCPD).

On July 21, 2014, after 14-year-old John Doe 1 urinated in his room, Bieker rubbed the victim’s shoes in the urine. Continue reading→

Santa Ana ranked almost last in Orange County in new jobs study

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, california, Economy, Jobs, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Six years ago California’s unemployment rate peaked at 12.2 percent. It is now done to a more reasonable 6.1%. California has created more than 1.5 million non-farm jobs since our last financial crisis, a growth driven primarily by the technology sector and other high-wage industries. But how is Santa Ana doing?

To help California residents and inbound migrants find the best cities for employment, WalletHub analysts compared 250 cities in the state across 16 key metrics to determine the best and worst California cities in which to find a new job.

Here are some of the key findings of the new WalletHub jobs study with regards to cities in Orange County (note that you will have to scroll down quite a bit to find how Santa Ana ranked): Continue reading→

Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo set for Oct. 31

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Family, Nature, Orange, Orange County Leave a comment

OC Parks is pleased to present the annual Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo located inside Irvine Regional Park on Saturday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families are invited to partake in a fun-filled spooky day of activities with the animals of the OC Zoo.

At Halloween Zoo-tacular, guests ages 12 and under will trick-or-treat through the zoo and take part in a spooky scavenger hunt. Kids of all ages can create Halloween and fall-themed crafts and enjoy games and a photo/selfie spot with fun props. The OC Zoo animals will participate in the fun and receive treat-filled pumpkins and special Halloween goodies throughout the day. On October 31, the first 100 children ages 12 and under that visit the OC Zoo in costume will receive a special free holiday surprise. Continue reading→

Natural gas smell in Santa Ana due to a routine refinery burn-off in Seal Beach

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Environment, Health and Medical, OCFA, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Santa Ana School Police Department

Advisory: Smell of natural gas in some areas of Santa Ana. This is a natural burn-off and not a cause for concern.

This is an important message from the Santa Ana Unified School District. We have been informed by the Orange County Fire Authority that residents may be experiencing a smell of natural gas in certain areas of the city due to a routine procedure at a refinery in Seal Beach.

Normally, the procedure would not leave a smell; however, due to the low cloud cover this morning, the gas is unable to pass through. We have been assured that there is no immediate danger or need to evacuate students. Continue reading→

Ad-hoc Orange County committee will address mental health services

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Mental Health, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2015

Ad-Hoc Committee Will Address Mental Health Services

(Santa Ana, CA) — An ad-hoc committee comprised of two members of the Board of Supervisors will examine gaps within the County’s mental health system and present recommendations to their colleagues early next year, Board Chairman Todd Spitzer, Third District, announced this week.

The committee was suggested by Vice Chair Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District, who will serve with Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. Bartlett requested that a committee be created to formally review and analyze long-term policy solutions for the delivery of public psychiatric services. Input and collaboration will be sought from County agencies, hospital representatives, the medical community and law enforcement. Continue reading→

Commit to act on National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, on 10/15

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Latinos, Orange County Leave a comment

For Immediate Release:October 13, 2015

Contact: Tricia Landquist, tlandquist@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

“Commit to Act” – National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

(Santa Ana) – October 15 marks National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), which helps promote testing and early diagnosis of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This year’s NLAAD theme is “Commit to Act”, which means to take action and promote HIV testing, connect people to care, and hold activities that raise HIV/AIDS awareness.

NLAAD is important because there are 5,760 individuals living with HIV disease in Orange County with over 250 people being diagnosed with HIV each year. There are an additional estimated 938 people living in Orange County who have HIV and don’t know it – many of whom will develop AIDS before realizing they are HIV infected. Continue reading→

California’s newest grocer, ALDI, brings new jobs to Orange County

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in buena park, Food, Fountain Valley, Jobs, Orange County Leave a comment

California’s Newest Grocer, ALDI, Brings Jobs to Los Angeles, Orange Counties

Company to Fill Nearly 50 Shift Manager Positions During First Los Angeles Hiring Event on Oct. 16

LOS ANGELES. – October 8, 2015 – Offering wages and benefits that are higher than the national average for the retail industry, ALDI will host its first Los Angeles-area hiring event on Friday, Oct. 16. The event will fill Shift Manager positions for the grocer’s initial Los Angeles and Orange County stores. The March 2016 arrival of ALDI will expand grocery retail options with the ALDI difference of fresh, high-quality groceries at everyday low prices.

What: Hiring event for future ALDI stores at the following locations: Continue reading→

O.C. Health Care Agency providing outreach and services to DTSA’s homeless

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

HCA Provides Outreach and Services to Civic Center Homeless Population

By OC Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

HCA’s Behavioral Health Services Outreach and Engagement (BHS O&E) Program and Public Health’s Comprehensive Health Assessment Team Homeless (CHAT-H) provide expanded outreach and services to the Civic Center homeless population on Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

BHS O&E provide services to homeless and those individuals at risk of homelessness who are dealing with a behavioral health issue. Services are provided throughout Orange County to all ages which include: street outreach, coping skill psychoeducational groups, case management, and wellness screenings. The primary goal of BHS O&E is to link individuals to behavioral health and other supportive services by addressing participant’s barriers to accessing these services. This occurs by building trusting relationships with the homeless community and collaborating with other service providers. Continue reading→

Former Mrs. Orange County arrested on child porn charges

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Military, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

ICE Public Affairs, 949.360.3096, Virginia.C.Kice@ice.dhs.gov

Investigators Seeking Additional Victims of Child Pornography Suspect

SANTA ANA, Calif. (October 8, 2015) – Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators arrested an Irvine woman Wednesday who formerly held the title of “Mrs. Orange County” on state charges for producing and distributing child pornography. The investigation was initiated following information obtained from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

Meghan Breanna Alt, 25, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon in San Diego County by investigators assigned to the multi-agency Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF). Alt is suspected of using a 4-year-old family member to manufacture child pornography and electronically distribute it for financial gain and/or gifts. Continue reading→

Former claims adjuster sentenced to 5 years in prison after defrauding two insurance companies

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Insurance, Orange County 2 Comments

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF4001

Date: October 5, 2015

FORMER INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR DEFRAUDING OVER $400,000 FROM TWO INSURANCE COMPANIES

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former insurance claims adjuster was sentenced today to five years in state prison for defrauding over $418,000 from two insurance companies. Santos Aristires Rodriguez, 40, Monterey Park, pleaded guilty to a court offer today to 111 felony counts of insurance fraud written claim, two felony counts of grand theft, and sentencing enhancements for a pattern of related fraudulent felony conduct involving the taking of more than $100,000 but less than $500,000 and a taking exceeding $200,000. He is also expected to pay over $418,000 restitution in an upcoming court hearing. Continue reading→

O.C. investigators seek additional victims of child pornography suspect

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Christopher Brown

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Investigators Seek Additional Victims of Child Pornography Suspect

SANTA ANA, Calif. (September 28, 2015) – On Friday, September 25, 2015, investigators from the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF) arrested Christopher Brown, 42, Orange, on multiple charges related to possession of child pornography and lewd conduct with a child. Brown was arrested in an Orange County shopping center parking lot after investigators contacted him during a surveillance operation.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, OCCETF investigators received information from the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Child Task Force (LAICACTF) about Brown and his involvement in numerous acts of sexual misconduct. Brown, a professional photographer and children’s tumbling teacher, was suspected in being in possession of numerous photographs and videos depicting female minors. Investigators immediately began analyzing electronic data and conducting a preliminary investigation into Brown’s elicit sexual misconduct. Continue reading→

Largest-ever AlertOC test call to reach 2.5 million residents on Thursday

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Emergencies, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Largest-Ever AlertOC Test Call to Reach 2.5 Million Residents Thursday

SANTA ANA, Calif. (September 22, 2015) – As part of National Preparedness Month, nearly 2.5 million Orange County residents will receive a phone call and e-mail on Sept. 24 to test the County’s mass notification system. This is the sixth annual, and largest-ever, regional test of AlertOC, involving 25 participating cities and the County’s unincorporated areas.

This year, Southern California is faced with dual ever-increasing, weather-related threats. The state’s historic drought elevated the wildfire danger to unchartered levels, and the El Niño storms are anticipated to be massive. Both wildfires and flooding occur rapidly, forcing evacuations and road closures to neighborhoods. AlertOC, the County’s mass notification system, is a critical link for residents to immediately learn of any required actions, such as evacuating their homes during an imminent fire. Continue reading→