New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Orange County

Family of missing woman offers $5K reward

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Family of Missing Woman Offers $5K Reward

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (April 22, 2015) – The family of Erica Alonso, missing since February 15, 2015, has offered a $5K reward for information leading to her whereabouts. Alonso went missing early on the morning of Sunday, February 15, 2015, after leaving her boyfriend’s house in the city of Irvine. She is believed to have driven away in her 2014 Honda Civic, which has since been located in the city of Aliso Viejo, approximately one mile from her residence.

Alonso’s family has remained hopeful and active in support of investigators’ efforts to distribute information about the missing person case. Over the course of the last several weeks the family has raised funds to be able to offer a reward. After raising approximately $3K, an Orange County Sheriff’s Department reserve deputy donated the final $2K in order to reach the $5K goal. Continue reading→

Bicyclists are invited to participate in the OCTA’s Bike Month events

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Bicycles, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2015

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

Get Rolling for Bike Month

Bicyclists are invited to participate in OCTA’s Bike Month events

ORANGE – Bicyclists of all ages can improve their health, help the environment and cut the cost of driving by celebrating Bike Month with the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Bike Month was established nearly 60 years ago to showcase the benefits of bicycling and to encourage more people to try it. Those who pledge to participate in Bike Month in May at www.OCBikeMonth.com will be entered for a chance to win a free bike. Continue reading→

O.C. Clerk Recorder special Saturday hours planned for this Saturday

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in OC Clerk-Recorder, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Clerk Recorder Special Saturday Hours Planned for April 25th

By OC Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

Plan now to take advantage of special Saturday hours available at the Orange County Clerk Recorder Department on Saturday, April 25th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and the department’s branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills. Appointments are filling fast.

The Old County Courthouse will be offering marriage licenses, civil wedding ceremonies and passport application services only. Copies of property records and birth, death and marriage certificates will be available at the Laguna Hills and Fullerton branch offices, as well as obtaining marriage licenses and civil wedding ceremonies. Please note that the department’s South County branch office in Laguna Hills is now offering passport services. Free parking will be available at all three locations. Continue reading→

Comedy show to benefit German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County on 5/16

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Comedy, Garden Grove, Orange County, Pets Leave a comment

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County is hosting a Comedy Night on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 6:30 pm, at the Elks Club in Garden Grove, located at 11551 Trask Ave, in Garden Grove.

The headliner will be Jodi Miller, of America’s Got Talent, Comedy Unleashed, Comedy Central and TRU TV. Also appearing will be Sean Williams, Mike Cano, Laniea D. and Paula Faust. Continue reading→

DUI driver charged with vehicular manslaughter after teenager killed in accident

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, OCDA, Orange County 2 Comments

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0864

Date: April 23, 2015

DRUNKEN DRIVER CHARGED FOR ROLLING VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF 16-YEAR-OLD PASSENGER

SANTA ANA – A drunken driver was charged today for crashing and rolling vehicle several times ejecting his 16-year-old passenger who died at the scene. Antonio Jesus Escamilla, 21, was charged today with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence, one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, one felony count of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, and a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison. The defendant is scheduled for pre-trial on May 28, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 1:40 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2013, Escamilla is accused of driving a Honda Civic while under the influence of alcohol, traveling southbound on Santiago Canyon Road, north of Silverado Canyon Road in unincorporated Orange County. The defendant is accused of having three other passengers in his vehicle at the time, including 16-year-old Marie Johnson who was sitting in the right rear passenger seat. Continue reading→

Driver on meth convicted of hit and run crash that killed a cyclist

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Drugs, Orange County, Tustin Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF1047

Date: April 21, 2015

DRIVER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF METHAMPHETAMINE SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON FOR KILLING CYCLIST IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH

SANTA ANA – A driver was sentenced today to 11 years in state prison for driving under the influence of methamphetamine and killing a cyclist in a hit-and-run crash. Sommer Nicole Gonzales, 19, Tustin, pleaded guilty today to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, one felony count of hit and run with death, one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance, one misdemeanor count of use and under the influence of a controlled substance, one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance paraphernalia, and a sentencing enhancement allegation for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter.

At approximately 6:55 a.m. on Feb. 2, 2014, Gonzales drove under the influence of methamphetamine in her Toyota Corolla sedan southbound on Santiago Canyon Road, in unincorporated Orange County near Loma Ridge Road, and veered into the bike lane. She struck 21-year-old Joseph Robinson, who was lawfully riding his bike within the marked bike lane. Gonzales fled the scene without stopping to render any assistance to the victim or reporting the accident. A witness, who was driving in the vicinity of the hit and run, saw substantial damage to Gonzales’ vehicle and called 911 to give a description of her car. Continue reading→

OC Board of Supervisors pass resolution demanding Judge Kelly’s resignation

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Judge Marc Kelly, Lawyers, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Contact: Kelsey Eiben 714.676.8879 or 213. 814.2474

OC Board of Supervisors Give Judge Marc Kelly Vote of “No Confidence” & Repudiate His Leniency with a Rapist

All 5 Supervisors Officially Demand Judge Kelly’s Resignation

(Irvine, CA)- Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved in a 5-0 vote, a resolution that rebuked Orange County Superior Court Judge M. Marc Kelly reducing the mandatory minimum sentencing for the sodomy rape of a 3-year old girl on April 3, 2015. The sharply worded resolution highlights the Board’s undisputed admonition of Judge Kelly’s sentencing decision and the dangerous precedent it sets throughout Orange County’s criminal justice system.

“There should be no leniency for child rapists, especially those who sodomize a 3-year old girl. Obviously, Judge Kelly disagrees. Its only a matter of time before Judge Kelly will face the voters in a recall, so he might as well resign immediately,” said Bryan Scott, Founder of the Recall Judge Kelly committee. Continue reading→

2015 HireLive Career Fair set for May 8 in Santa Ana

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Jobs, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

HireLive is hosting a Career Fair in Santa Ana on May 8, 2015, for Recent College Grads and Sales Representatives.

Many of the companies they work with offer some of the following:

Base + Uncapped Commission Pay Structure
Flexible Work Schedule
Full Benefits, 401K, Stock Options
Company Car or Gas Allowances
President Club Trips & Other Incentives
Opportunity for Immense Growth
$70k + 1st Yr Salaries

Continue reading→

Speakers announced for the OCDA’s 7th Annual Victims’ Rights March and Rally

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Entertainment, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: April 20, 2015

MEDIA ADVISORY: The OCDA announces the speakers for the 7th Annual Victims’ Rights March and Rally

WHEN: Friday, April 24, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. (Reception) and 11:00 a.m. (Rally)

WHERE: Orange County District Attorney’s Office, 401 Civic Center Drive W., Santa Ana, and the Old Orange County Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana

SPEAKERS: Ryan and Richard Girgis’ mother was murdered in 2004. Magdi Girgis, their father, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to life in state prison without the possibility of parole for the 2004 solicitation-murder of his wife.

Prior to the murder, Magdi Girgis had a pending domestic violence case against him related to assaulting his wife, 55-year-old Ariet Girgis. A restraining order was issued, Ariet Girgis intended to divorce the defendant, and Magdi Girgis moved out of the couple’s Westminster home. Continue reading→

The OCTA seeks applicants for the Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Politics, Taxes, Transportation 2 Comments

OCTA Seeks Applicants For Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee

By: Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is seeking qualified volunteers to serve on the Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC).

The eleven-member committee monitors OCTA’s use of Measure M funds and ensures that all revenue collected from both Measure M1 (M1) and the Renewed Measure M2 (M2) is spent on voter-approved transportation projects. The independent committee was formed after the passage in 1990 of Measure M, a half-cent sales tax to fund transportation improvements in Orange County. Continue reading→

The State awards $17.5 Million for a new County Juvenile Probation Center

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

State Awards $17.5 Million for New County Juvenile Probation Center

By Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

The California Board of State and Community Corrections has awarded $17.5 million to the County of Orange to build a multi-purpose rehabilitation facility at the Juvenile Hall and Youth Leadership Academy campus in Orange, including a visitation center, meeting rooms and a gymnasium.

The funding was the most received among eight counties splitting nearly $80 million to improve housing and program space for youthful offenders. Continue reading→

Real Estate broker and two agents charged with grand theft in loan mod scheme

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine, Orange County, Real Estate Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0518

Date: April 15, 2015

REAL ESTATE BROKER AND TWO REAL ESTATE AGENTS CHARGED WITH GRAND THEFT IN LOAN MODIFICATION SCHEME

*OCDA is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims in this case

SANTA ANA – A real estate broker and two real estate agents who worked together have been charged with grand theft in a loan modification scheme. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims in this case. Michael Pelimiano Soriano, 45, Irvine, Agustin Navarra Alayon, 52, Canoga Park, and Joseph Anthony Q. Oliva, 50, San Jose, are each charged with six felony counts of grand theft and one felony count of collecting a foreclosure consultant unlawful advance fee. If convicted on all counts, they each face a maximum sentence of seven years in jail. Alayon and Soriano are out of custody on $29,500 bail and are scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, April 16, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Oliva remains at large.

At the time of the crime, Soriano was a licensed real estate broker accused of owning and operating Cyberlink Diamond Group, LLC (Cyberlink) in Huntington Beach, without having the company legally licensed with the California Bureau of Real Estate (CALBRE). Soriano is accused of employing Ayalan and Oliva, both real estate agents, to work at Cyberlink as marketing representatives to solicit consumers and offer them loan modification and foreclosure rescue services. Continue reading→

OC Sheriff’s Department’s 27th Annual Medal of Valor Ceremony set for 4/23

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in irvine, Orange County, Public Safety, Sandra Hutchens Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042,JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

OC Sheriff’s Department’s 27th Annual Medal of Valor Ceremony

WHAT: The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will honor 37 of their own at the 27th Annual Medal of Valor Luncheon and Ceremony. This signature event recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department. The deputies and employees who will be honored have demonstrated exceptional Courage, Merit and Lifesaving. The event is underwritten and hosted by the Sheriff’s Advisory Council. Continue reading→

OC Tea Party to host a Tax Day protest in Santa Ana

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Taxes, Tea Party 2 Comments

The Orange County Tea Party is hosting an OC Tax Day Sidewalk Rally on April 15, 2015, from 2 – 3 pm, at the Santa Ana Civic Center, located at Flower and West Civic Center Drive., in Santa Ana. Parking available at the Santa Ana Public Library.

In The Spirit of The Original Tea Party against unreasonable and oppressive taxation, we the people Tea Party on Tax Day Wed, April 15, 2015! Bring your American / Tea Party flags, signs and banners! The theme for signs and banners: STOP OVERTAXING CALIFORNIA!

ENTERTAINMENT: Ian Mitchell of the Bay City Rollers!

SPEAKERS: Continue reading→

The OCDA is investigating where O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do resides

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana Leave a comment

It did not take long for Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do to land in hot water. In a March 24 email, Assistant District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh, who heads the DA’s Court and Special Prosecutions Unit, confirmed that investigations based on allegations that Do has skirted residency laws are “still proceeding,” according to the Voice of OC.

Do does not have to reveal his voter registration address, as a former employee of the O.C. District Attorney’s office. However now that he is an elected Supervisor he does have to file conflict of interest disclosures, wherein he notes that he resides at on Irene Way in Westminster. Continue reading→