New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Santa Ana

Time for the Supervisors to vote for letter grade restaurant health ratings?

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Food, Health and Medical, Janet Nguyen, Orange County, Politics, Public Safety, Safety, Santa Ana, Todd Spitzer 15 Comments

c grade restaurant.jpg

From the OC Politics Blog

UPDATE: Supervisor Todd Spitzer now says that he is going to ask the Supervisors to reconsider restaurant letter grade health ratings! Thank you Supervisor Spitzer!

Despite a warning from the county grand jury, the Orange County Board of Supervisors declined, back in December of 2008, to impose a letter grading system designed to inform would-be diners about the health safety record of restaurants, according to the L.A. Times.

Supervisor Janet Nguyen cast the key vote against the letter grading system for restaurants. I broke the news afterwards that O.C. Supervisor Janet Nguyen’s husband, Tom Bonikowski, owned a Lee’s Sandwiches franchise in Stanton that had been fined many times by the O.C. HCA. She never reported that when she voted against the letter grade ratings – and it blew up in the press. Bonikowski has since sold the restaurant. Continue reading→

Statement from Supervisor Spitzer regarding Orange County shootings

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Todd Spitzer Leave a comment

Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 19, 2013
CONTACT: Justin Glover714-834-3330 (office)714-980-2031

(Orange County, CA) — Supervisor Todd Spitzer gave the following statement following the tragic shootings in Orange County this morning. Spitzer represents the third supervisorial district, which includes the cities of Tustin, Orange and Villa Park. Continue reading→

Has Council Member Michele Martinez declared war on the SAPD?

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Gangs, Michele Martinez, Paul Walters, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 24 Comments

Not only was Santa Ana Council Member Michele Martinez the driving force behind the ouster of Santa Ana City Manager Paul Walters – my sources are now telling me that she has apparently turned on the Santa Ana Police Department.

I am hearing that Martinez is trying to get rid of the SAPD Strike Force – the heroic police officers who helped stem the tide against gang violence and drug dealing in our city. She blames them, I am told, for the arrest of her half brother, a few years ago, during her failed campaign for Mayor. She blames Walters for that arrest too, I am told. Continue reading→

The Grand Jury isn’t done thrashing Nguyen over her destruction of CalOptima

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Health and Medical, Janet Nguyen, Jose Solorio, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Watch The Grand Jury, Supervisor Janet Nguyen and Medi-Cal on PBS. See more from KOCE.

The Orange County grand jury is planning two more reports on CalOptima, the county’s health plan for disabled, low-income and elderly residents, whose oversight by the Board of Supervisors was the subject of a highly critical report last month, CalOptima CEO Michael Schrader said Thursday” according to the Voice of OC.

Here a few more key excerpts from the Voice of OC:

Among its recommendations, the grand jury urged county supervisors to appoint more than one of its members to the CalOptima board. Currently, only Supervisor Janet Nguyen serves on the board. She engineered a complete restructuring of the CalOptima board that left it, as the grand jury noted, with no member who served longer than 20 months and most who have been there less than a year. Continue reading→

Congresswoman Sanchez’ foreclosure prevention workshop set for 2/21

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Housing, Loretta Sanchez, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is hosting a Home Foreclosure Prevention Workshop on: Thursday, February 21, 2013, from 4:00 pm-7:30 pm at the Delhi Community Center, located at 505 E. Central Ave., in Santa Ana.

This free workshop will provide homeowners with essential tools to avoid foreclosure. Knowledgeable lenders and helpful Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing counselors will be in attendance to answer questions and discuss the numerous programs that are available to assist homeowners. Continue reading→

The SAUSD has reached a tentative agreement with their teachers’ union

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Labor, Santa Ana, SAUSD 2 Comments

saea

The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) has apparently negotiated a “signed tentative agreement” with their teachers’ union, the Santa Ana Educators Association (SAEA), according to an email sent by SAEA President Susan Mercer to her members. The deal is pending ratification by the SAUSD School Board and the SAEA’s members.

The SAEA has been endorsing the SAUSD Trustee incumbents for years. So this new deal really was a forgone conclusion however it should be noted that the new deal does NOT include any furlough days or pay cuts.

Here is Mercer’s email to her members about the tentative agreement with the SAUSD: Continue reading→

Correa bill funds County veteran service officers

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana 2 Comments

Sacramento – Today, State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 296, a measure designed to fund appropriately the state’s county veteran service officers (CVSOs).“Our CVSOs are the state’s crucial link toward helping veterans and their families receive the important federal and state benefits they have earned through …read more
Read more here: Correa

Santa Ana man gets 16 years to life for stabbing his mom’s houseguest

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2716: February 15, 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

MAN SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR STABBING-MURDER OF MOTHER’S HOUSEGUEST

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 16 years to life in state prison for murdering his mother’s houseguest by stabbing him in the chest with a pocket knife. Saul Jose Salazar, 29, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Nov. 26, 2012, of one felony count of second degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. Continue reading→

Solorio’s campaign for the 34th State Senate District is heating up

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Janet Nguyen, Jose Solorio, Lou Correa, Politics, Santa Ana 23 Comments

Former Assemblyman Jose Solorio, a Democrat who currently serves on the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Education, formally announced his campaign for the 34th State Senate District seat that is currently held by Lou Correa. The seat opens up in 2014. Republican O.C. Supervisor Janet Nguyen, who screwed up CalOptima this year, has also announced that she is running for the 34th.

It is my understanding that failed Assembly candidate Julio Perez, who has never won any political office before, may enter the race for the 34th just to try to make Solorio lose. Let’s hope labor figures out that Nguyen would be an even bigger nightmare as a State Senator than she already is as a County Supervisor.

Solorio sent out a campaign update today to his supporters – and from the sounds of it he is going to be tough to beat. Let me be up front here – I have already made a decision to endorse Solorio. Here is his campaign update: Continue reading→

Correa introduces law-enforcement backed bill to strengthen anti-DUI laws

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Lou Correa, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

***PRESS ADVISORY***SENATOR CORREA INTRODUCES LAW ENFORCEMENT-BACKED LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN DUI-DRUG LAWSWhat: State Senator Lou Correa (D – Santa Ana) discuss Senate Bill (SB) 289, a measure that would establish a zero tolerance policy for driving under the influence of drugs. Under SB 289, California would make it illegal for a …read more
Read more here: Correa

OCTA’s 2012 Employees of the Year include Farrell, Vailea and O’Connor

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Labor, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

OCTA Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713 , Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

OCTA Awards Employees of the Year

Three individuals receive honors for their hard work and dedication throughout 2012

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority recognized the employees of the year for coach operator, maintenance and administrative departments. The 2012 Employee of the Year event was held on Jan. 30 at the Green Parrot Villa in Santa Ana. Each of the 36 employees of the month was honored for their exceptional performance and dedication to furthering OCTA’s mission. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Public Library a finalist for a national Medal for Service Award

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Gerardo Mouet, Literacy, Literature, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County Community Advisory: SANTA ANA PUBLIC LIBRARY SELECTED AS FINALIST FOR NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL

SANTA ANA, CA (February 15, 2013) – The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced yesterday that the Santa Ana Public Library is a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community and celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. Medal finalists are selected from nationwide nominations of institutions that demonstrate innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted of impregnating his 11-year old stepdaughter

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Mariano Antonio Castro

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: Case # 11CF1031, February 14, 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

MAN CONVICTED OF IMPREGNATING 11-YEAR-OLD FEMALE RELATIVE AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER FOR NINE YEARS

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted yesterday of sexually abusing a female relative for nine years and impregnating her at the age of 11. Mariano Antonio Castro, 58, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Feb. 13, 2013, of two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, three felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, one felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and inflicting great bodily injury were found true. He faces a maximum sentence of 78 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration at his sentencing April 26, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-28, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Catch the President’s Day spirit with a live show at the Bowers on 2/18

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Military, music, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Bowers Museum is hosting a live performance, “Catch the Spirit!” this Monday, February 18, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, in honor of President’s Day. The event will be held in their Norma Kershaw Auditorium. Fee: Free to members; free with paid admission; 8$ individual ticket.

Remember our schools are closed on Monday, but the Bowers is open! Catch the Spirit! A Patriotic President’s Day Celebration. Join us for an unforgettable President’s Day musical program by Celebration USA. Bowers will be open especially for this celebration! Continue reading→

SAPD update on possibly gang-related shooting murder on West 3rd Street

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Update on Murder Investigation 2/14/13 1900 Block West 3rd Street

On 02/14/13, at 1718 hours officers responded to the 1900block of W. 3rd St. on a report of a shooting with two subjects down. Upon arrival, they found two males, ages 18 and 19, with gunshot wounds to their upper body. Paramedics transported the both victims to a local hospital where the 19-year-old was pronounced dead. The 18-year-old is in stable but serious condition. Continue reading→