Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana’s playgrounds, volleyball courts and tennis courts to close
March 31, 2020 - Civic Affairs, Disease, Emergencies, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana is closing its playgrounds, volleyball courts and tennis courts beginning Wednesday, April 1, in order to prevent gatherings and protect the public from COVID-19. The City has already shuttered its enclosed parks, recreation and other facilities and canceled all programs and classes except the take-out senior meals program. Those include:…

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The County of Orange has launched an Economic & Business Recovery Call Center
March 31, 2020 - Business, Disease, Emergencies, Orange County, Santa Ana - No Comments

Effective March 30, Orange County Community Services has implemented a call center to meet the needs of businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Economic & Business Recovery Call Center will offer information and resources to help Orange County businesses navigate the current economic climate. These resources will support businesses with challenges such…

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Santa Ana businesses can get help from a Small Business Incentive Grant
March 31, 2020 - Business, Civic Affairs, Emergencies, Santa Ana - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana is offering a grant of $2,500 to $5,000 for Santa Ana-based microenterprises through the Santa Ana Small Business Incentive Program. Applicants must qualify for the Small Business Incentive Grant. Details are available at www.santa-ana.org/SBIP. Eligibility Qualifications The program provides a reimbursement grant for eligible businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant…

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Understanding Santa Ana’s moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures
March 31, 2020 - Business, Disease, Emergencies, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana has created webpages in English, Spanish and Vietnamese to help residential and commercial tenants understand the City and State moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webpages include frequently asked questions, a sample letter that renters can use to advise their landlord of their inability to pay…

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Thai Viet Phan for the Santa Ana City Council

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Santa Ana’s Civic Center has finally been cleansed of the homeless squatters

Posted on by Posted in Andrew Do, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana 3 Comments

By: Supervisor Andrew Do

The Santa Ana Civic Center has been cleared of all encampments. I visited the Plaza of the Flags with Orange County CEO Frank Kim to see the now uninhabited area.

The Orange County Health Care Agency in partnership with the City of Santa Ana Police Department completed 234 assessments of homeless individuals residing in the Civic Center Plaza. The individuals have been placed in a variety of programs including the Courtyard Transitional Shelter, Bridges at Kramer Place, SAFEPlace and more. 135 individuals declined services. Continue reading→

Your kids will have a lot of fun at Santa Ana Children’s Day/Book Day event on April 21

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

City of Santa Ana

Community: Santa Ana Public Library *Celebrates Children’s Day/Book Day * Celebra Día De Los Niños/Día De Los Libros*

SANTA ANA, CA – On April 21, 2018, Santa Ana Public Library, winner of the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Services, will celebrate the 10th Annual Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day). The celebration, also known as Día, will take place at the Main Library from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will showcase a variety of fun-filled activities and services for children and their families.

Children’s Day was designated as a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. In 1996, nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy, thus the creation of Día. Día annually celebrates children, families, and literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for a missing man with mental problems who likes to use meth

Posted on by Posted in Drugs, Mental Health, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Jose Rigoberto Silva

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Currently Looking for a Critical Missing Adult – Requesting Public’s Assistance

On April 12, 2018, at approximately 12:00 pm, the missing person, Jose Rigoberto Silva, and his father came to the State Tax Building at 600 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Silva used the restroom in the building and then went missing a few minutes later. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council’s latest attempt to extend their term limits got punked again

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Ballot Measures, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council Majority

The Santa Ana City Council Majority – which now includes Council Members David Benavides, Jose Solorio, Vince Sarmiento and Sal Tinajero, tried once again yesterday to illegally extend their term limits by trying to place a last-minute district election measure on the June ballot.

They were previously punked by Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido when he refused to sign off on their vote to place the measure on the June ballot. A judge recently forced Pulido to finally sign those papers but the June election ballot submission deadline had already expired.  Continue reading→

The City of Santa Ana invites artists to free grant writing workshops on Saturday, April 14

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

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: The City of Santa Ana Invites Artists to Free Grant Writing Workshops

The City of Santa Ana’s Arts and Culture Commission in collaboration with the Fine and Performing Arts Division of Santa Ana College is proud to present “Free Grant Writing Workshops for Artists” on Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Santa Ana College.

Join us for a one-day workshop to improve your skills and learn what it takes to write a successful grant proposal from start to finish! You can attend one or both sessions. Workshops are free and open to the public. Continue reading→

Hitman convicted of murdering a Westminster woman whose husband wanted her dead

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Westminster Leave a comment

Anthony Edward Bridget

Case # 13CF1025

Date: April 12, 2018

HITMAN CONVICTED OF 2004 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES MURDER OF WOMAN WHOSE KILLING WAS SOLICITED BY ESTRANGED HUSBAND

*Husband of victim sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2014

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A hitman was convicted today of the 2004 special circumstances murder of a woman whose killing was solicited by her estranged husband.

Defendant: Anthony Edward Bridget, 44

Found guilty by a jury on April 12, 2018, of the following felony counts: Continue reading→

Tustin man accused of inappropriate communication and contact with a Tustin H.S. cheerleader

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Tustin Leave a comment

OCSD Investigators Seeking Additional Victims of Child Annoyance Suspect

Santa Ana, Calif. (April 12, 2017)- On Wednesday, April 11, OCSD North Investigations and Special Victims Unit investigators arrested Mike Patrick Thomas, 50, of Tustin, on child annoyance charges related to inappropriate communication and contact with a female juvenile.

Thomas is believed to have engaged in inappropriate contact, text messaging and conversations with the victim. During the investigation, it was discovered that a few years ago, Thomas was accused of inappropriate contact with another minor, who has since graduated from high school. Continue reading→

The next Santa Ana Zoo free day is set for Sunday, April 15

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

The next Santa Ana Zoo free day (for residents) is set for April 15, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill) will be required upon arrival. Not valid to schools or business addresses.

On Resident Free Day, the third Sunday of each month, residents of Santa Ana may visit the Santa Ana Zoo for free. Continue reading→

Las Vegas man arrested for assaulting a homeless man in Costa Mesa

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, homeless Leave a comment

William Kent Shelfer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2018

Costa Mesa Police Department

Advisory: Las Vegas man arrested yesterday for hitting 53-year-old victim and causing severe head trauma

COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) last night arrested a Las Vegas man for hitting a male victim, leaving him with serious head trauma. Continue reading→

The SAPD will conduct a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint this Friday night

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

dui

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday April 13th, in the area of 700 W First Street

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday April 13th, 2018. It will begin at 9:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 700 W First Street, in the City of Santa Ana.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver. Continue reading→

The SAPD has arrested a homeless man for burglarizing the same apartment twice

Posted on by Posted in Crime, homeless, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Officers Arrest Suspect For Burglary After Going To Same Apartment Twice In A Three Day Period

Arrested: Isaias Vargas-Martinez (26) Transient Santa Ana

Summary: Monday, 4-9-2018 at 10:17 pm officers responded to a cat burglary in progress. The victim and her roommate were in the first floor of their bottom floor condo, when victim #1 walked in her bedroom and noticed her desk had been moved. The victim looked out her window and noticed the screen was no longer in place. The victim turned around and saw a male suspect standing in her bedroom. The suspect did not say anything; instead he put his index finger over his mouth indicating the victim be quiet. The victims were able to lock themselves in their bathroom and call 911. The suspect fled prior to police arrival.

A K9 was used to search the apartment and DUKE conducted an area check with negative results. The suspect is described as a male, Hispanic, 30 yrs., 5’07”-5’08” tall, dark skin, wearing baggy khaki long shorts and no shirt. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s homeless shelter is getting more restrooms and showers

Posted on by Posted in Andrew Do, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

By: OC Supervisor Andrew Do

New restrooms and showers will be coming to the only walk-in emergency homeless shelter in Orange County.

Today, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the installation of a new 7-unit restroom facility and 8-unit shower facility at the Courtyard Transitional Center in Santa Ana. In October 2016, Supervisor Andrew Do spearheaded the effort to open the emergency shelter in Santa Ana, which now houses as many as 450 homeless each night and has transitioned 281 people to long-term housing.

In addition to short-term steps to increase restrooms and showers at Orange County’s only emergency homeless shelter, County Supervisors approved an additional $3.48 million for recuperative care beds as part of the county’s Whole Person Care pilot program. The total is now $8.38 million towards recuperative care for the homeless. Continue reading→

The SAUSD is going to waste our money again on yet another bond measure

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Bond Measures, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD 4 Comments

Are you ready to give SAUSD more of your hard-earned money?

The Santa Ana Unified School District is currently working on a $497 million dollar Bond Measure to be put on the upcoming November ballot. If passed, the Bond Measure will increase our property taxes and cost close to ONE BILLION DOLLARS to pay off with interest!

Why do they need this Bond Measure? Continue reading→

The O.C. armory homeless shelter program has been extended for another 90 days

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, homeless, Jerry Brown, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: Governor Brown Acts to Extend Armory Shelter Program in Orange County

SANTA ANA, CA – Last week, the City of Santa Ana sent a letter requesting that the California National Guard consider the approval of an extension of the Orange County Cold Weather Armory Emergency Shelter Program for at least 90 days past the scheduled April 15, 2018 closure. This was followed up this week by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (District 65) and Assemblymember Tom Daly (District 69) requesting support from the Governor to make this request a reality.

“Now is not the time to turn our backs on some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “I truly appreciate the Governor’s fast response to this request,” said Assemblymember Tom Daly. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana River Trail has been cleared of the homeless and has reopened

Posted on by Posted in Bicycles, Crime, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Closed Portion of Santa Ana River Trail to Reopen April 7

Santa Ana, Calif. (April 6, 2018) – A portion of the Santa Ana River Trail from Memory Lane in Santa Ana to Taft Avenue in Orange was closed to the public on January 22, 2018, for an environmental remediation project. It was anticipated to remain closed for up to three months.

The County has made significant progress on the project, and a modified public access route will be restored April 7, 2018. Continue reading→