New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Orange County

New study finds over one-third of O.C. deaths are premature

For Immediate Release: December 8, 2014

Contact: Nicole Stanfield nstanfield@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

New Study Finds Over One-Third of Orange County Deaths Are Premature

(Santa Ana) – A new study by the Orange County Health Care Agency examines the leading causes of premature death in Orange County residents. Over 6,000 deaths in 2010 were premature – people less than 75 years of age. The three leading causes of premature death were cancer, heart disease, and unintentional injury (primarily drug overdose).

Unintentional injury deaths primarily due to drug overdoses were the number one cause of premature death for young people (15-24 years old) and adults (25-44 years old). “The entire community has a role in promoting healthier behaviors, such as physical activity, smoking cessation, and the prevention of drug abuse in order to reduce premature deaths in Orange County,” said Dr. Eric Handler, County Health Officer. “Drug overdose deaths in particular are both tragic and preventable.” Continue reading→

O.C. Clerk-Recorder’s Swearing in Ceremony set for Jan. 2

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Hugh Nguyen, OC Clerk-Recorder, Orange County, Santa Ana, Vietnamese Leave a comment

Hugh Nguyen was reelected as the Orange County Clerk-Recorder in the November General Election. Nguyen is the first Vietnamese American to be elected to the Clerk-Recorder office in United States. He will serve over 3.1 million residents in Orange County. Nguyen, a longtime resident of Santa Ana, was previously appointed by the O.C. Board of Supervisors to complete the term of his predecessor, Tom Daly, who moved on to the 69th Assembly District.

Nguyen will be sworn in at the County of Orange Hall of Administration, located at 333 W Santa Ana Blvd, in Santa Ana, on January 2, 2015. The swearing will start promptly at 10:00 A.M. and after the swearing refreshments will be served at the Clerk-Recorder’s office. Continue reading→

Mandatory wood-burning ban in effect today in Orange County

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Environment, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

No-Burn Alert: Mandatory Wood-Burning Ban in Effect for Residents of the South Coast Air Basin

All Indoor and Outdoor Residential Wood Burning Forbidden Due to High Air Pollution Forecast for December 8

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has issued a residential no-burn alert effective Monday, December 8, 2014, for all those living in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes the greater Los Angeles area, Orange County and the Inland Empire. SCAQMD reminds residents in these areas that burning wood in their fireplaces is prohibited through midnight tonight. No-burn alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health due to a high concentration of fine particle air pollution forecast for the area. The no-burn prohibition also applies to manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper.

Fine particles in wood smoke – also known as particulate matter or PM2.5 – can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory illnesses, increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Continue reading→

All carpool links set to open as West County connectors project wrapping up

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 4, 2014

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

All Carpool Links Set to Open as West County Connectors project wrapping up

Four years of construction work on SR-22, I-405 and I-605 near the Orange and Los Angeles county line is nearing an end for drivers who will now experience an easier commute

ORANGE – The four-year West County Connectors construction project, aimed at easing congestion and enhancing safety along the most heavily traveled stretch of freeway in the nation, is nearing completion as the new bridges linking the carpool lanes on I-405 with SR-22 and I-605 are set to open next week.

Drivers will now be able to travel in the carpool lanes from the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) to the San Diego Freeway (I-405) to the San Gabriel Freeway (I-605), and the reverse, without ever having to exit the carpool lanes. Continue reading→

Former SAPD Police Chief and City Manager Walters hired by Supervisor-Elect Bartlett

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Orange County, Paul Walters, Santa Ana 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Corless (714) 676-8878 or Megan Dutra (714) 676-8028

Supervisor-Elect Lisa Bartlett Names Former Police Chief and City Manager Paul Walters as Interim Deputy Chief of Staff

Bartlett Highlights Walters’ 30 years of law enforcement and local government leadership experience for 5th District Transition

DANA POINT, CA-Today, Supervisor-Elect Lisa Bartlett, recently elected Orange County Supervisor of the 5th District, tapped highly respected former Police Chief and City Manager Paul Walters to serve as Interim Deputy Chief of Staff as she prepares to take office at the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

“I am proud to announce Paul Walters as Interim Deputy Chief of Staff as we prepare to transition into the 5th District Office at the Board of Supervisors. Paul’s thirty plus years of experience in law enforcement, in local government as a city manager and his public service on many local and regional policy making bodies give him the perspective needed as we build a team of professionals to serve the 5th District on a myriad of significant policy issues,” said Supervisor Elect Lisa Bartlett. Continue reading→

Candidate filing now open for the Board of Supervisors’ First District vacancy election

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2015 Elections, Orange County, Politics Leave a comment

Candidate Filing Now Open for Board of Supervisors First District Vacancy Election

Special election called to fill vacancy on the Board of Supervisors

SANTA ANA, CA – December 2, 2014 – A special election has been called to fill the vacancy in the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ 1st District. The election will be held on January 27, 2015. Candidate filing is now open and will be open until December 15, 2014.

Any qualified person can file the declaration of candidacy papers until December 15, 2014, 5:00 p.m., in the office of the Registrar of Voters, 1300 South Grand Avenue, Building C, Santa Ana , California . Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Continue reading→

Former DPOC Chairman Jim Toledano convicted after trying to extort a couple

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Democratic Party, Lawyers, OCDA, Orange County 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 10ZF0084

Date: December 1, 2014

ATTORNEY CONVICTED FOR CONSPIRING TO EXTORT $350,000 FROM CLIENT’S FORMER EMPLOYER BY THREATENING TO PUBLICLY DEFAME HER WITH FALSE CLAIMS AND LIES

*Co-defendant pled guilty before trial

SANTA ANA – An attorney was convicted on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, for conspiring to extort $350,000 from his client’s former employer by threatening to publicly defame her with false claims and lies. James Toledano, 70, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime and one felony count of attempted extortion by threat. He faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison at his sentencing Jan. 30, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Michael Earl Roberts, 40, pled guilty on Oct. 27, 2014, to one felony count of conspiracy to commit a crime, one felony count of attempted extortion by threat, two misdemeanor counts of harassing phone calls, and two misdemeanor counts of annoying phone calls. He was sentenced to 6 months in jail, 3 years of formal probation, and ordered to have no contact with the victims. (Priscilla “Bo” Marconi and her husband, Dick Marconi). Continue reading→

Thanksgiving Holiday travel tips from John Wayne Airport

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Airplanes, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT PROVIDES THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS

In anticipation of one of the most heavily traveled holiday periods, John Wayne Airport (JWA) offers travel tips to help passengers prepare for a safe and enjoyable holiday. Passengers traveling through JWA between Friday, November 21 and Monday, December 1 will experience higher-than-normal passenger traffic due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

This season, JWA is partnering with KeepOCSafe to encourage travelers to be aware of their surroundings and report questionable objects or activities. A giant red backpack will be on display in the Riley Terminal throughout the holidays to remind passengers and visitors, “If You See Something, Say Something.”

Tips for Passengers and Visitors: Continue reading→

Poll – will you vote for Do or Correa in the First Supervisorial District?

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2015 Elections, Andrew Do, Democratic Party, Janet Nguyen, Lou Correa, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Pictured: Andrew Do and Janet Nguyen

There might be a half dozen candidates interested in replacing Supervisor Janet Nguyen in the First Supervisorial District – but make no mistake about it, this race will come to two candidates – Andrew Do (Nguyen’s former Chief of Staff) and Lou Correa.

Do has already lined up the support of Supervisor Nguyen, along with Supervisor Pat Bates, Senator and Congresswoman-Elect Mimi Walters and Congressman Ed Royce. This means the OC GOP establishment is firmly lining up behind Do – not Garden Grove Councilman Chris Phan.

Correa already had about $600K in his campaign war chest – but now he also has the support of the Orange County Employees Association (the OCEA) and he has the backing of two high profile Republicans – OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and OCDA Tony Rackauckas. Continue reading→

Seven AK-47’s found during traffic stop lead to two arrests

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Newport Beach, Orange County 2 Comments

Newport Beach Police Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE #111814

Subject: Two Arrested for Firearms Charges

Contact : Jennifer Manzella, Press Information Officer, 949-644-3662, jmanzella@nbpd.org

On Friday, November 14, 2014 at approximately 8:48 pm, a Newport Beach Police Department Officer observed a green Dodge Caravan leaving a gas station near the intersection of Bristol Street South and Irvine Avenue with expired registration and an equipment violation. The officer conducted a vehicle stop for the listed violations, and contacted the two occupants of the vehicle (Cardiel and Gurule, listed above). The officer determined that Cardiel was driving on a suspended license and that Gurule was on probation. While being questioned, both suspects appeared extremely nervous.

Continue reading→

Poll – should the OCDA post pictures of men arrested for trying to hire prostitutes?

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Orange County prosecutors are taking the tactic to another level: Asking every police agency in the county to hand over photographs of offenders so that they can be posted on the district attorney’s website under the heading “Sex Purchasers,” according to the L.A. Times.

Emma Andersson, staff attorney with the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project, said that the aim of the criminal justice system should be rehabilitation, rather than “the banishment and isolation of individuals from a community.” Continue reading→

Janet Nguyen’s former Chief of Staff to run for the 1st District

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2015 Elections, Andrew Do, Janet Nguyen, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Westminster Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: November 20, 2014
Contact: Dave Gilliard, 916-626-6804

Andrew Do to Run for Supervisor in First District Special Election
Nguyen, Bates,Walters and Royce to serve as Campaign Co-Chairs

Westminster, CA – – Today, Andrew Do announced his candidacy for Orange County Supervisor in the First District, where a special election will be called soon to replace Senator-elect Janet Nguyen.

Supervisor Nguyen, along with Supervisor Pat Bates, Senator and Congresswoman-Elect Mimi Walters and Congressman Ed Royce will serve as honorary co-chairs of Do’s campaign.

“I am honored that so many community leaders have encouraged me to run for Supervisor to follow in the footsteps of Janet Nguyen, who has done such a tremendous job for our communities,” said Do. Continue reading→

Drug and alcohol abuse treatment works in Orange County

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Drugs, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

For Immediate Release: November 18, 2014

Contact: Deanne Thompson, dthompson@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Works in Orange County

(Santa Ana) – A new report from the Orange County Health Care Agency found that adult clients of the County’s drug and alcohol treatment programs experienced significant reduction in drug use, improved health, and social functioning; increased employment rates; and a reduction in arrest, incarceration and reliance on medical services. The report examines the treatment outcomes for over 11,000 clients of Behavioral Health – Substance Use Disorder services between 2011 and 2013.

“We know that treatment works and can reduce drug/alcohol misuse and dependence,” said Mary Hale, County Health Behavioral Health Officer. “In addition to reduced drug and alcohol use, our clients also reported improvements in other areas of their lives such as decreased arrests and increased employment – becoming more productive members of our community.” Continue reading→

Video of this year’s Orange County Labor Veteran’s Day event

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Military, Orange County, Veterans Leave a comment

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014, the Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) sponsored a Veterans Day community celebration at the OC Fair & Event Center called “Veterans + Labor – Partners in Service”. The event featured live music, entertainment, free food, games for kids and much more.

A few highlights included: Continue reading→

The OC Supervisors are moving forward with the homeless shelter on Normandy Place

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in homeless, Janet Nguyen, Lou Correa, Orange County, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 6 Comments

Photo by: Andrew Galvin

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is apparently going to ignore the Santa Ana City Council’s attempt to place a moratorium on the building of a homeless shelter in the middle of a poor Latino neighborhood on the East side, on Normandy Place.

The agenda for the Board of Supervisors meeting on Nov. 18, 2014, includes this item:

Direct staff to move forward with 1217 E. Normandy Place, Santa Ana, CA project; accept grant deed document to transfer fee title to County of Orange; and authorize Chief Real Estate Officer or designee to sign related documents, make minor modifications under certain conditions and perform related actions – District 1.

Continue reading→