New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Santa Ana

Rene Gomez joins field running for Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 2

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Elections, Michele Martinez, Mirna Velasquez, Politics, Rene Gomez, Santa Ana 10 Comments

Rene Gomez

Rene Gomez, a graduate of Santa Ana High School who studied at CSU Long Beach, is running for Ward 2 of the Santa Ana City Council. He joins a field of candidates that includes the incumbent, Michele Martinez, and another challenger, Mirna Velasquez.

The local Republican Party tried to recruit Velasquez but she opted to continue as a Decline to State voter. Martinez is a liberal Democrat. Gomez is a Republican and he stands to get support from the OC Lincoln Club and the OC GOP.

Gomez lists his birthplace as Tijuana, Mexico. He appears to be friendly with Mike Gonzalez, the head of Los 32, an organization that supports Mexican Americans. Gonzalez is also running for the Santa Ana City Council, in Ward 6. Gomez supports immigration reform and immigrant rights. Continue reading→

Can Alex Padilla beat Councilman David Benavides in the November election?

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Alex Flores, Alex Padilla, David Benavides, Elections, Politics, Santa Ana 9 Comments

Alex Padilla for City Council

Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides got a free ride when he ran for reelection in 2010. No one ran against him. He got just over 34,000 votes according to Smart Voter. There were about 43,000 votes cast in that year’s Santa Ana Mayoral contest, according to Smart Voter. That means that over 9,000 voters chose not to vote for Benavides in 2010, even though his was the only name on the ballot in Ward 4.

Benavides ran for Santa Ana Mayor in 2012. His campaign was very ill-advised. He ended up with 14,995 votes, according to Smart Voter. The incumbent, Mayor Miguel Pulido, got 27,092 votes. The rest of the vote was split among three gadfly candidates. Benavides raised a ton of money in that campaign but it was for naught.

Perhaps Benavides was distracted as his marriage was reportedly falling apart during his mayoral campaign. He is supposedly divorced now. Ironically he came to town with his wife years ago and took advantage of a program that allowed his wife, a teacher, to buy a home in Santa Ana at a low interest rate. I believe that Benavides is still living in that home. He has since scrubbed his official city bio of any mention of his wife and kids. Continue reading→

Gentrifiers and Latinos protesting against police brutality face off in DTSA

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civil Rights, Latinos, Police Brutality, Racism, Santa Ana 39 Comments

American Barber Shop employees

Employees of a business called the American Barbershop allegedly hurled racist insults at a group of mostly Latino protesters who had gathered on Friday, August 15, 2014 to held a vigil last night at Plaza Santa Ana, against police brutality.

A number of employees of this business were reportedly caught on video and in photos saying racial slurs and giving the middle finger to the crowd and members of the press. Members of the Santa Ana Police Department were there at the time acting as personal security to the East End businesses. Continue reading→

Michigan man indicted for a sextortion plot against a 16-year-old Santa Ana teen

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Nicholas Glenn Wilcox

A Southern California Grand Jury has indicted Nicholas Glenn Wilcox, who resides in Michigan, for allegedly threatening a 16-year-old Santa Ana boy and demanding the teen take pornographic photos and videos of himself, court filings show, according to the O.C. Register.

Michigan law enforcement authorities list the 5-foot-9 inch and 250-pound Wilcox–who used monikers that include “rapegod666,” “Kypkilla12,” “that1kid014,” “Flame” and “Heretik”–as a sex offender with a 2009 felony conviction for possession of “child sexually abusive material,” according to the OC Weekly.

Here are additional details about this case, courtesy of the OC Weekly: Continue reading→

SAUSD Board V.P. Hernandez endorses Rodriguez for the School Board

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Education, Jose Hernandez, Politics, Rigo Rodriguez, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Dr. Rigo Rodriguez for the SAUSD School Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eric Hogensen, 323-761-9514

Santa Ana School Board Vice President José Alfredo Hernández Endorses Rigo Rodríguez for School Board

(Santa Ana) – Today, Santa Ana School Board Vice President José Alfredo Hernández joined School Board Clerk Rob Richardson and President Audrey Yamagata-Noji in endorsing Dr. Rigo Rodríguez for School Board.

Vice President Hernández was appointed to the School Board in January 2007. Prior to that, he served as a member of the Whittier Law School Trial Advocacy Honors Board and was a Fellow at the Center for Children’s Rights. In addition to serving on the School Board José Alfredo Hernández works as a criminal and immigration defense attorney for the Santa Ana community. Continue reading→

Groundbreaking for new SAUSD Sports Complex set for 8/18

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports, Youth Activities 1 Comment

SAUSD Sports Complex

Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 15, 2014

Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer , (714) 558-5555 Office, (714) 673-4995 Mobile

Media Advisory: Groundbreaking for Highly Anticipated SAUSD Sports Complex

What: Celebrate the groundbreaking of the highly anticipated Santa Ana Unified School District Sports Complex. Thanks to the passage of Measure G, a facilities improvement bond to construct and maintain the condition of the district’s school facilities, students in the city of Santa Ana can finally have a sports complex to call their own. Although the Sports Complex is located on the grounds of Valley High School, it will be jointly used by all of the district’s high schools.

Who: Members of the SAUSD Board of Education, Superintendent, Elected Officials (State, County, and City), students, athletes, coaches, parents, and community members.

Continue reading→

Garden Grove man arrested in shooting of man and two women in parked car

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 14 Comments

Dustin Sean Ross McDonald

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory Update: arrest made in homicide investigation

Arrested : Dustin Sean Ross McDonald, 23 years old from Garden Grove

Charges will be murder (187), two count of attempt murder (664/187) and special circumstances enhancement (190.2) and weapons enhancements (12022.5)

SAPD detectives arrest 23-year-old Dustin Sean Ross McDonald yesterday evening in a car stop near his residence in Garden Grove. Charges are pending, case has been submitted to the District Attorney’s office for filing. Continue reading→

New 1/2 acre park to be built by Memory Lane and the Santa Ana River

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

New Santa Ana Park at Memory Land and the Santa Ana River

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: CITY OF SANTA ANA AWARDED ONE MILLION DOLLAR GRANT, UNDER THE HOUSING RELATED PARKS PROGRAM, FOR NEW HALF ACRE PARK

SANTA ANA, CA (August 12, 2014) – The City of Santa Ana has been awarded $1,030,800 grant to develop a 1/2 acre park at Memory Lane and the Santa Ana River, adjacent to the Vista Del Rio Housing Project.

The grant was funded under the Housing Related Parks Program. The program provides funding for parks and recreation projects that benefit the community and add to the quality of life. The program awards funding on a per-bedroom basis for residential units in very low to low-income household. $25 million was available in this funding cycle for projects in the State of California. Continue reading→

15th Annual Summer Talent Show set for 8/16 at the Salgado Rec Center

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Santa Ana 15th Annual Summer Talent Show

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: CLOSE TO 200 STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN “AN ENDLESS SUMMER” THE CITY OF SANTA ANA’S 15TH ANNUAL SUMMER TALENT SHOW

SANTA ANA, CA – The public is invited to join the City Council as the City of Santa Ana’s youth program celebrates the end of summer with the City’s 15th Annual Summer Talent Show. Close to 200 young people from the Citywide summer recreation program will showcase their talents and perform on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the Salgado Recreation Center, from 1 to 3:30 pm. Continue reading→

New report identified risk factors for death by suicide in Orange County

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana, Veterans Leave a comment

OC Health Care Agency Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 14, 2014
Contact: Deanne Thompson, dthompson@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

NEW REPORT IDENTIFIES RISK FACTORS FOR DEATH BY SUICIDE IN ORANGE COUNTY

(Santa Ana) – Every year in Orange County about 3,000 people intentionally harm themselves, and about 278 end their lives by suicide. A new study by the Orange County Health Care Agency examines the incidence of suicide in Orange County, and identifies risk factors for suicidal behavior.

“Intentional self-harm is a serious public health problem that has a devastating impact on those affected, including family, friends, and the community,” said Mary Hale, Deputy Agency Director for Behavioral Services at the Orange County Health Care Agency. “Understanding how to address these risk factors and implementing preventive measures will help reduce intentional self-harm and suicide deaths in Orange County.” Continue reading→

The Bowers Museum’s August programs showcase the diversity of Latino culture

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Latinos, mexico, Movies, music, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Bowers Museum Latino Program for August

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2014

CONTACT
Victor Payan
Latino Audience Engagement Specialist
714-567-3645
vpayan@bowers.org

BOWERS MUSEUM FEATURES GREAT LATINO PROGRAMS IN AUGUST

Lineup includes Lecture about Buenos Aires, Spanish Masters Presentation and Lalo Guerrero Doc

The Bowers Museum is proud to present a number of wonderful Latino programs in August, which showcase the diversity of the Latino community. The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 N. Main St. in the heart of Santa Ana. All events take place in the Norma Kershaw Auditorium. Student tickets are only $5.

On Thursday, August 14, join award-winning lecturer Jacqueline Hahn for An Evening in Buenos Aires: The “Good Air,” the Paris of South America. Madame Hahn will take you on a delightful trip to Buenos Aires. Explore the rich history, geography, architecture, sprawling avenues, parks, museums, and cafés of this enchanting city. Attendees will receive a free, autographed textbook from Ms. Hahn. The presentation begins at 7pm. Continue reading→

Updated: Man killed and two women wounded when shot in a parked car in DTSA

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana 18 Comments

Aaron Johnathan Chavez

UPDATED: SAPD detectives arrest 23-year-old Dustin Sean Ross McDonald yesterday evening in a car stop near his residence in Garden Grove. Charges are pending, case has been submitted to the District Attorney’s office for filing. Charges will be murder (187), two count of attempt murder (664/187) and special circumstances enhancement (190.2) and weapons enhancements (12022.5)

Aaron Johnathan Chavez, a 23-year-old from Anaheim, was killed and two women were injured late Tuesday when another man came up to a parked car they were sitting in and fired 10 to 12 shots at them, according to Santa Ana Police, according to the OC Weekly. Continue reading→

SoCalGas pipeline work in Santa Ana will affect traffic on North Grand Ave.

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Energy, Public Safety, public works, Santa Ana, Traffic 3 Comments

SoCalGas will be doing some work in the City of Santa Ana, as part of their Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan. They will be testing a segment of pipe. The work began in late July. The work will take place at several locations along North Grand Ave. beginning at the intersection of East Chestnut Ave. and ending at the intersection of East 2nd St. The work is expected to take three to four weeks.

Southbound traffic on North Grand Avenue will be reduced to left hand lanes during this work. This change will be marked with traffic cones and signs. Nearby residents may hear some work-related noise. Crews will be working 20 hour days Monday through Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. A letter was sent to notify neighbors about the project for your reference. Continue reading→

SAUSD School Board Clerk Rob Richardson endorses Rigo Rodríguez for the School Board

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Education, Rigo Rodriguez, Rob Richardson, Santa Ana, SAUSD 6 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12th, 2014

Contact: Eric Hogensen, 323-761-9514

Santa Ana School Board Clerk Rob Richardson Endorses Rigo Rodríguez for School Board

(Santa Ana) – Santa Ana School Board Clerk Rob Richardson announced his endorsement of Dr. Rigo Rodríguez for Santa Ana School Board today.

Richardson stated: “As an educator and active community member, Rigo Rodríguez has dedicated his career to strengthening the Santa Ana community through education. As a School Board member, Dr. Rodríguez will continue to lead efforts to improve schools for our children. He will fight for what is best for our students, I have confidence in him to lead our District forward.”

Rob Richardson has been a longtime leader in the Santa Ana community. He served on the Santa Ana School Board from 1987-1990, after which he served as a Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem for eight years. In 2003, Richardson returned to the School Board where he served another five years as President working to improve the quality of education in Santa Ana and he continues on the Board. He currently serves as an administrator for the County of Orange. Continue reading→

Robbery suspects caught as they fled the scene

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Victor Esteves

SAPD Advisory: Santa Ana patrol officers apprehend suspects as they flee scene of robbery

Grand Gas Mini Mart
2231 North Grand Friday, 8/8/14, 11:50PM

Summary: Two patrol officers were responding to a call for service when they encountered, what initially appeared to be, two suspects running toward an awaiting vehicle after a beer run. The officers soon realized the two suspects committed an armed robbery. As the officers ordered the suspects to stop one of the suspects dropped a replica firearm and the other a kitchen knife.

The two suspects and a female driver were taken into custody without incident. Officers recovered several hundred dollars from the suspects. Continue reading→