Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Santa Ana

Have you registered to vote yet for the November General Election?

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Elections, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Get Out the Vote Santa Ana – Are you Back to School Ready?

It’s September 1st and most schools are back in session. In addition to having your school supplies in order, please make sure you Register to Vote if you will turn 18 years of age by Election Day.

For college students attending school out of the area, you may either request a vote by mail ballot from the Orange County Registrar of Voters Office or you may register at the address where you will be attending school. Continue reading→

Four challengers for the RSCCD Board of Trustees have the support of their Faculty Assn.

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Cecilia Aguinaga, Education, Matthew Schauer, Politics, Santa Ana, Thomas Gordon Leave a comment

Faculty Association of Rancho Santiago Community College District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2016

Contact: Mark Smith (951) 505-0561

Rancho Santiago Community College District Faculty Endorse Four Candidates for Board of Trustee Seats

ORANGE, CA – The Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago CCD (FARSCCD) announced today that faculty voted to support Matthew Schauer (Area 1); Thomas Anthony Gordon (Area 3); Cecilia “Ceci” Aguinaga (Area 5) and Rudy Diaz (Area 7).

The vote to endorse the four candidates recommended by the leadership of FARSCCD and the faculty’s Political Action Committee took place over two days with 88% of those casting ballots voting to endorse. 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→

Ana Urzúa Alcaraz is kicking off her campaign for the City Council’s Ward 3 on 9/4

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Ana Urzua Alcaraz, Angelica Amezcua, Politics, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Santa Ana City Council Ward 3 candidate Ana Urzúa Alcaraz is kicking off her campaign on Sunday, Sep. 4, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 2801 Waverly St., in Santa Ana.

Ward 3 is currently held by Angie Amezcua, who was accidentally elected four years ago when she ran for the office but did not spend a penny on her campaign and did not campaign. She was the only woman on the ballot and her ballot title, “teacher”, did not hurt. Nor did her familiar-sounding last name. Continue reading→

Santa Ana City Council Ward 3 candidate Solorio to host a fundraiser on 9/28

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Angelica Amezcua, Jose Solorio, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jose Solorio Fundraiser

BIRTHDAY FUNDRAISER AT ANTONELLO’S

Santa Ana City Council Ward 3 candidate Jose Solorio is hosting his annual birthday fundraiser at Antonello Ristorante on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Antonello Ristorante is located at 3800 South Plaza Drive, in Santa Ana.

Solorio is a former Santa Ana City Councilman and a former State Assemblyman. He currently works as a lobbyist at a law firm in Irvine. He is endorsed by the Santa Ana Police Officers Association.  Continue reading→

Ward 5 City Council candidate Juan Villegas to kick off his campaign on 9/7

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Civic Affairs, Crime, Elections, Juan Villegas, Politics, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana Ward 5 City Council candidate Juan Villegas, a law enforcement officer with 25 years of experience fighting crime, is hosting the kick-off to his campaign on Wednesday, Sep. 7, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Santa Ana Police Officer Association Hall, located at 1607 N. Sycamore, in Santa Ana.

Villegas is running against an incumbent, Councilman Roman Reyna, who recently voted against hiring more police officers despite the huge increase in violent crime over the past three years. Reyna’s brother reportedly died in prison and Reyna himself has admitted to being shot and wounded at a park when he was younger. When Reyna ran for Mayor of Santa Ana he was caught posing with members of the Mexican Mafia, in a picture that was widely circulated on social media. He refused to explain why he was hanging out with these individuals. Continue reading→

Poll – what should we do about the homeless problem in Santa Ana?

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Civic Affairs, Crime, homeless, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment
What should we do about the homeless in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana City Council Member Michele Martinez, who is running for the First District of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, appeared on the John and Ken radio show yesterday afternoon, on AM 640. I don’t think she knew in advance that John and Ken are conservatives – and they only invite politicians onto their show to embarrass them. The interview was hard to listen to as John and Ken yelled at Martinez throughout the interview and barely let her get a word in edgewise. You can hear the interview here.

The issue they were upset about is the homeless problem at Santa Ana’s Civic Center. If you have not been out there recently you will be amazed and disgusted by the situation. Our Civic Center has essentially become a homeless camp with trash and human waste all over the place. The matter has been somewhat improved with the addition of more portable bathrooms but it is still far from optimal and is certainly not safe for those who have business at the Civic Center. Continue reading→

Why is SAUSD School Board candidate Mark McLoughlin hiding his financial info from the public?

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Mark McLoughlin, Santa Ana, SAUSD 2 Comments

SAUSD School Board candidate Mark McLoughlin appears to be trying to hide his financial information from the public. McLoughlin was appointed to the Santa Ana Planning Commission in January so he had to turn in a Form 700, to the Santa Ana City Clerk. That Form, which you can see here, is completely devoid of any investments/businesses/loans/income information!

McLoughlin claims he is the General Manager of SKYCO Architectural Shading System and President of High School, Inc — yet he does not disclose any of these business connections on his Form 700 filed with the City of Santa Ana. In fact, he discloses absolutely NOTHING on his 700 Form. It surely seems that McLoughlin is avoiding disclosing info about himself. Continue reading→

Supervisor Do is expanding a County service center in Little Saigon in an election year

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Andrew Do, Little Saigon, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Westminster Leave a comment

Supervisor Andrew Do to Expand Community Service Center Providing Taxpayers with Expedited Services

(Westminster, CA) – Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is making it easier for taxpayers to access county services with the launch of an expanded community service center.

Next Friday, September 2nd, the public is invited to attend the grand opening of the upgraded Orange County Community Service Center. Continue reading→

Councilman Benavides reportedly called the SAPD after a shooting by his home on Sunday night

Posted on by Posted in Crime, David Benavides, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana City Council Member David Benavides apparently called the SAPD to report shots fired in the area of 700 S. Townsend, at Monte Vista, on Sunday, 8/28/16 at about 11:30 PM.

Benavides told the police that he heard three shots fired and a vehicle leaving the area. SAPD police officers responded to the area and conducted an area check through Townsend St. from Monte Vista to McFadden and the surrounding alleys. The officers were unable to locate a crime scene, victims or any suspects at this time. Continue reading→

Santa Ana lawyer sues “Peeping Tom” Hollywood Assistant Director

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Lawyers, Santa Ana Leave a comment

“Peeping Tom” Hollywood Assistant Director Sued by Eric Traut of Traut Firm on Behalf of Victims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Jess Block Nerren, jess@feltenmedia.com, 909-706-8525

SANTA ANA, CA – A lawsuit has been filed against a Hollywood assistant director by attorney Eric Traut of Traut Firm following seven years of “peeping tom” footage discovered on a home computer, several hard drives, and a criminal conviction of invasion of privacy, on behalf of three of the victims, filed in LA County courts, August 11.

Many of the “Peeping Tom” incidents occurred during filming of more than 50 movies and music videos on which AD Kevin Thomas Roy had unique access during his employment to prey on actors and actresses. Frequently, his work role included the task of setting up the designated changing and private areas on set. Footage was also obtained during private events including a child’s birthday party and on a relative’s honeymoon in a Las Vegas hotel room. Continue reading→

Construction begins on a new mixed-use apartment development in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Development, Housing, Santa Ana Leave a comment

LATERRA DEVELOPMENT BREAKS GROUND ON TWO INFILL APARTMENT PROJECTS IN SANTA ANA AND CHULA VISTA

LOS ANGELES – LaTerra Development, a Los Angeles based real estate developer, has started construction on two infill apartment projects totaling 325 units in Santa Ana and Chula Vista. Each project was capitalized with institutional joint venture equity and construction financing.

LaTerra started construction this week at The Line at Santa Ana, a 3.9-acre, TOD mixed-use development containing 228 apartment units and 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail, located at 3630 W. Westminster Avenue in Santa Ana, the county seat of Orange County. “The Line is in a prime location at Harbor Boulevard and the 22 Freeway in the award winning Garden Grove school district and is directly adjacent to a future light rail line stop,” explained Charles Tourtellotte, President and CEO of LaTerra. Continue reading→

Why did Santa Ana’s education unions reject every woman running for the School Board?

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Beatriz Mendoza, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, Gloria Alvarado, Mark McLoughlin, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Women 8 Comments

Today was Women’s Equality Day but we have not made much progress in Santa Ana. Our local education unions endorsed three men for the SAUSD School Board election in November. They did not even bother to interview the women in the race.

Now I cannot blame the Santa Ana Educators Association (SAEA) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 41 for not backing SAUSD School Board incumbent Cecilia Iglesias. She is a conservative who believes in school choice and wants to spend the district’s money on hiring more teachers and more teacher’s aides instead of just paying the teachers more. So of course the education unions don’t like her.

But what about the other women who are running for the SAUSD School Board? Continue reading→

Man shot and injured while standing in front of his residence on W. St. Gertrude

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Last night another attempt murder shooting occurred at 1401 West St. Gertrude, in Santa Ana. An adult male (27 years of age) was standing in front of his residence when a vehicle drove by and fired several times striking the victim.

Incredibly, the victim drove himself to a hospital where he was then transported to another hospital’s trauma center where he is currently listed in stable condition. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council has declared Aug. 26 to be Women’s Equality Day

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento, Women Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Tomorrow, August 26th is “Women’s Equality Day”

The Santa Ana City Council has proclaimed August 26, 2016 as “Women’s Equality Day”. This day commemorates the U.S. Congress’ designation at the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971.

The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York. Continue reading→