Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Santa Ana

New OCTA Chief Executive announces his initiatives for 2013

Posted on by Posted in Darrell Johnson, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

OCTA Bus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

New OCTA Chief Executive Announces Initiatives for 2013

CEO Darrell Johnson’s efforts support the values, vision, mission and goals of OCTA

ORANGE – At his first board meeting as the new Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) CEO, Darrell Johnson unveiled his strategic initiatives for the year ahead, placing a high priority on creating services to meet community needs, ensuring sustainability of transit systems and advancing the delivery of Measure M2 projects. Continue reading→

Isn’t it time to diversify our City Council via ward-specific elections?

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Angelica Amezcua, Brett Franklin, Elections, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 17 Comments

Santa Ana City Council

Diverse? No!

The last time someone tried to change our City Council elections from at large to ward specific the effort failed, primarily because white voters were told that the infamous Nativo Lopez was behind the scheme.  And he was.  At the time the only way anyone ever figured that we would have more Latinos on the City Council would be via ward-specific elections.

Well now we have an all-Latino City Council and they’re an embarrassment.  As the city reels in yet another budget crisis they wasted weeks firing our City Manager, Paul Walters, so they could hire a temp, Kevin O’Rourke, who is costing us over $22K a month.  In Santa Ana that passes for progress.

If we had a ward-specific election system it is likely that former Council Member Brett Franklin would have won in Ward 3 last year.  Instead a total unknown, Angelica Amezcua, who did not even campaign, won.  She of course joined the other Council Members in firing Walters, proving she too is worthless. Continue reading→

Street repairs on MacArthur Blvd. will stretch from Bristol to Flower

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa-Ana-City-Logo

The City of Santa Ana has notified residents, in a letter, that a bid has been awarded to a contractor who will be making curb and pavement repairs on MacArthur Blvd., between Bristol Street and Flower St.  Here are the details from the City’s letter:

The City’s Pavement Management System has identified MacArthur Boulevard from Bristol Street to Flower Street as a high priority for rehabilitation. The pavement has deteriorated due to weather, age, heavy usage, and poor drainage. Portions of the adjacent curb and gutter, driveway approaches, curb ramps, and sidewalks are either missing or in disrepair and require replacement. Improvements include reconstruction of pavement and replacement of damaged concrete curb and gutter, driveway approaches, sidewalk, and construction of new cross gutter. From March 2013 through June 2013, this work will be taking place in your area. Once completed, these improvements will extend the life of the pavement and enhance the ride quality, surface drainage, and appearance of the street. Continue reading→

Pictures from NESALL’s 2013 Opening Day Ceremony

Posted on by Posted in Baseball, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Northeast Santa Ana’s Little League had their Opening Day Ceremony on Saturday, March 9, 2013.  Check out the pictures of the event above.

Thanks to the CHP Community Outreach officer who visited the event and threw out the first pitch and to the Santa Ana ROTC Marching Band members who participated and Minister Gus Lujan, who gave the invocation. Thanks also to the volunteer who sang the National Anthem.   Continue reading→

St. Paddy’s Jam Fest to benefit fallen officers/families set for 3/14

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Entertainment, music, Paul Walters, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

St. Paddy's Jam Fest

The Santa Ana Police Officer’s Association (SAPOA) is hosting a St. Paddy’s Jam Fest fundraiser on Thursday evening, March 14, at 7 pm, for the 999 Foundation, that provides support for fallen officers and their families.

A few of of the SAPOA’s members who are also musicians will be opening for Santa Ana’s favorite cover band Cheap Date.  Please stop by and show your support. Drinks and snacks will be provided along with the music. Continue reading→

The Voice of OC needs to come clean on its funding

Posted on by Posted in Blogs, John Moorlach, Labor, Media Links, Orange County, Santa Ana 6 Comments
norberto&nick

Voice of OC Management — Norberto Santana & Nick Berardino

From the OC Politics Blog

Regular OCP Blog readers have observed we usually preface anything we use from the Voice of OC as attributed to the “union-funded” Blog.  It’s important to understand that the Orange County Employees Association at least partially funds their operation, although no one’s ever learned how much — the union won’t announce it and there are no web links between the two.  The Voice does not sell advertising, and lists sponsors including the AP, Californians Aware, HealthyCal.org, California Watch and PBS SoCal.  Per its website, it appears to have at least seven staffers at its Santa Ana office.

Continue reading→

Irvine man knifed to death by Chile Picante Restaurant, on South Main St.

Posted on by Posted in Crime, irvine, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department officers responded to a call of subjects fighting in the 1900 block of S. Main. Upon arrival, they found a male victim lying on the sidewalk at Main and Commercial with an apparent stab wound to his chest. The male was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  The victim was identified as 26 year old Paul Anthony Garcia, with a last known address in the City of Irvine.

The initial investigation revealed that Garcia was inside of the Chile Picante restaurant, when two suspects entered and had a confrontation with him. The suspects exited the restaurant, and Garcia exited shortly after. One of the suspects then chased Garcia across the street and assaulted him. Sometime during the assault, Garcia was stabbed. Garcia collapsed on the street, where he was found by responding officers. Continue reading→

Free Spring Literacy & Resource Fair at the Heritage Museum of O.C. today

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, Family, Literacy, Literature, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The Heritage Museum of Orange County is hosting a free Spring Literacy & Resource Fair today, Saturday, Mar 9, 2013, from 11:00am – 2:00pm.  Again this is FREE & Open to the Public!

This event is Presented By:

  • Santa Ana Unified School District
  • Jumpstart
  • Heritage Museum of Orange County

Services and Information for: Continue reading→

Report confirms Edison knew of major problems with steam generator design

Posted on by Posted in Energy, Environment, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

No nuclear power

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2013

CONTACT: Bill Walker, (510) 759-9911; Damon Moglen (202) 352-4223

SAN ONOFRE: Secret report confirms Edison knew of major problems

Friends of the Earth: ‘Bombshell’ for plans to restart crippled reactor

WASHINGTON, March 8 – A secret Mitsubishi Heavy Industries report released today confirms that Southern California Edison knew about serious problems in the radically redesigned replacement steam generators for the San Onofre nuclear reactors years before the defective equipment was installed, yet failed to make changes to fix the problems. The report was released today by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Representative Edward Markey (D-Mass.) revealed its existence and demanded it be made public. Continue reading→

Over 100 Santa Ana parents graduate from the SAPD Parent Academy

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Rojas, Crime, Drugs, Education, Family, Gangs, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD Chief Carlos Rojas with Santa Ana Mother

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: The Santa Ana Police Department graduated over 100 Santa Ana parents from the Santa Ana Police Parent Academy

On 03/07/13 and 03/08/13, The Santa Ana Police Department graduated over 100 Santa Ana parents from the Santa Ana Police Parent Academy. The Parent Academy is a comprehensive (5) WEEK/ 10 hour class, which exposes participants to parenting skills, narcotic awareness, child abuse, domestic violence and gang awareness. The classes are taught by subject matter experts to willing parents, who are eager to learn as much as they can about one of the most important topics of all; “parenting.” Continue reading→

SAPD investigating fatal traffic collision at 2900 West MacArthur

Posted on by Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

2900 W. MacArthur, santa ana, ca

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Santa Ana Police Investigate Fatal Traffic Collision 2900 West MacArthur

On 3/08/13 at approximately 0200 hours, a 25 year old male was driving alone, traveling east on MacArthur Boulevard in his 1997 Toyota Corolla. It appears the Corolla was driving at a high rate of speed during rain and failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway in the area of 2900 W. MacArthur. The vehicle went out of control as it traveled up over the south curb and sidewalk to where it struck a large tree with the impact on the driver side door area of the car. Continue reading→

NESALL Opening Day Ceremony set for Saturday, March 9

Posted on by Posted in Baseball, Entertainment, Family, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Weather permitting the historic Northeast Santa Ana Little League is holding their Opening Day Ceremony this Saturday, March 9, starting at 8:30 am , aver at NESALL Field, located next to Sierra Intermediate School, at 2201 N. Grand Ave..

Games will start at 10:30 am.  Click here to see the full schedule.  The Snack Bar will be open throughout the day – with the usual Little League fare – hot dogs, nachos and fries, plus other snacks and cold drinks.

The Opening Day Ceremony will include members of the Santa Ana High School ROTC’s marching band; Minister Gustavo Lujan; and perhaps a special surprise or two, plus the teams will be showing off their awesome team banners! Continue reading→

Correa announces 10th Annual California Contemporary Collection Competition

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Lou Correa, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SENATOR CORREA ANNOUNCES TENTH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA CONTEMPORARY ART COLLECTION COMPETITION

March 04, 2013

Santa Ana, CA- Senator Lou is accepting entries from artists residing in the 34th Senate District who artwork interested in having their original art displayed at the upcoming California Contemporary Art Collection for the 2013-2014 Art Exhibit at the State Capitol. In 1997, the California State Senate’s Contemporary Art Collection program was initiated to recognize and celebrate contemporary art created by the wide variety of artists throughout the state. Every two years, members of the Legislature are therefore asked to select an artist who they feel best their district. Continue reading→

Meet Council Member Amezcua in Ward 3 on March 13

Posted on by Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Entertainment, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Councilwoman Angelica Amezcua

CONNECT-TO-COUNCIL Presents a RESOURCE EVENT for the NEIGHBORHOODS OF WARD 3,
with Councilperson Angelica “Angie” Amezcua

We bring resources to help assist with the neighborhood issues that are
important to you!

  • Code Enforcement: What is the actual process after a complaint is submitted?
  • Criminal /Police: Acting Chief of Police Carlos Rojas discusses the issues in the Ward 3 neighborhoods
  • New Neighborhood Watch Program: Sylvia Guillen, PSO for SAPD will explain this important program coming to the Ward 3 Neighborhoods Continue reading→

Santa Ana foster dad charged with raping girls he later adopted

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

Felipe Hernandez

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0322: March 7, 2013
Contacts:
Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

FOSTER PARENT CHARGED WITH RAPING, MOLESTING, AND ABUSING THREE GIRLS AGES 9, 11, AND 15 UNDER HIS CARE

SANTA ANA – A foster parent has been charged with raping, molesting, and abusing three girls when they were 9, 11, and 15 years old. Felipe Hernandez, 66, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of aggravated sexual assault, one felony count of forcible lewd act on a child under 14 years old, three felony counts of lewd act upon a child under 14 years old, two felony counts of lewd act upon a child, one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse, one felony count of oral copulation of a minor, one felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object of minor, one felony count of possession and control of child pornography, and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery with sentencing enhancement allegations for multiple victims and substantial sexual conduct with a child. Continue reading→