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:…
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…
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…
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…
A Santa Ana grandfather named Teo Gallegos, who has dementia, disappeared yesterday at around 3 p.m. He got out of the house while the his granddaughter was showering.
Gallegos is a male Hispanic, 5’04”, 180 lbs., with gray hair and brown eyes, according to the SAPD. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket, gray pants, and dark colored loafers. Continue reading
It turns out that the robbery suspect that was shot and wounded yesterday evening by an SAPD police officer, at a Chevron gas station, may be a suspect the police were already looking for in connection with at least seven armed robberies, according to the O.C. Register.
The suspect was shot when he tried to rob a Chevron gas station at Grand and N. Fairhaven avenues in Santa Ana on Thursday, Sept. 28, at round 5:40 p.m. Continue reading
The Santa Ana City Council is conducting a Special Closed Session Meeting on Oct. 2 at 2 pm. The meeting agenda only has one item on it – the appointment of a new City Manager.
The current Acting City Manager is Cynthia J. Kurtz. She has over 26 years of local government experience including previously serving as the City Manager for the City of Pasadena for ten years, as well as the Interim City Manager for the City of Covina for six months. Continue reading
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE
Case # 17WF1965
Date: September 28, 2017
*Defendant initially charged with attempted murder and assault with intent to commit rape
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged with special circumstances murder during attempted rape after the 68-year-old victim died due to injuries sustained in the assault.
Defendant: Michael Aon Varela, 30, Garden Grove
Charged on Sept. 22, 2017, in an amended complaint with the following felony count: Continue reading
At least one person was struck by gunfire during an officer-involved shooting at a Chevron gas station in Santa Ana on Thursday, Sept. 28, at round 5:40 p.m., according to the O.C. Register.
The shooting happened at a Chevron gas station located at Grand and N. Fairhaven avenues. Continue reading
Costa Mesa Police Department
Advisory: Man who was out on bail arrested for possession of dangerous drugs for sale
Incident/DR#: 17-12257
COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) yesterday arrested Miller, who was out on bail, for felony possession of dangerous drugs with intent to sell.
At approximately 5:15 p.m., on Sept. 27, 2017, CMPD detectives served a search warrant at Miller’s home in the 400 block of Fair Drive. The search warrant is part of an ongoing narcotics investigation. Miller was detained outside his home and was found to be in possession of approximately three grams of fentanyl-based heroin, commonly referred to as “China White,” and about $1,000 in cash. Continue reading
City of Santa Ana
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA – On Sunday, October 1, 2017, the SASC Senior Club and Downtown Neighborhood Association will host an older adult outreach event for the entire community. The 2nd Annual International Older Adults Fair and Senior Art Sale will take place at Birch Park/SASC. All proceeds from the Art Sale will go to the Senior Board fundraiser to help build a permanent restroom and a fence to preserve the historical Birch Park.
The Older Adults Fair will kick off with performances by Santa Ana and Southwest senior center participants. There will be music, food, prizes, health screenings, information booths, a senior art sale booth and much more! All senior event participants will have great time in the fair and will receive prizes for participating. Local companies have contributed exciting prizes to opportunity drawings. If you are a senior (60+), be sure to visit the registration booth to receive your event bag of goodies, free lunch wrist band a nd free raffle ticket. Continue reading
Costa Mesa Police Department
Advisory: Two men arrested for felony possession of approximately 4,000 Xanax pills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2017
Incident/DR#: 17-12960
COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) this morning arrested Gary Marianetti, 24, Huntington Beach, and Eric Ramirez, 20, Costa Mesa, for felony possession of about 4,000 Xanax pills.
At approximately 1:05 a.m., on Sept. 28, 2017, CMPD officers responded to the 1200 block of West Baker Street regarding a suspicious abandoned vehicle. Continue reading
The family of an unarmed 18-year-old shot and killed while running from gang officers has hired Humberto Guizar, a former gangbanger turned lawyer, to represent them in a civil rights lawsuit against the city of Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.
Guizar won $3.2 million for the survivors of a Ramona Gardens man who died after an altercation with LAPD officers back in 2012, according to the L.A. Times. Continue reading
City of Santa Ana
Community: Madison Park Walk-A-Thon and Faire / Caminata Anual y Feria de Madison Park
SANTA ANA, CA – On Saturday, September 30, 2017, the City of Santa Ana in collaboration with the Madison Neighborhood Association will be hosting the 15th Annual Madison Park Neighborhood Association Walk-A-Thon, Resource Faire and Cultural Festival taking place from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 7:30 am; the walk will take place from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm. The Resource Faire and Cultural Festival will feature local talent such as ballet folklorico, dancers and a disc jockey from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. The event will be held at Madison Park, located at 1528 S. Standard Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92707.
A goal of Madison Park Neighborhood Association is to encourage residents to use the park and trail system often as they get fit and healthy. In 2005 the Association formed a partnership with the City of Santa Ana to combat illegal camping, graffiti, trash, and to improve the maintenance and the look of the park and trail system in their neighborhood. Continue reading
Santa Ana Police Department
Between the dates of 4/19/17 and 9/1/17, the above pictured suspect entered several locations and committed the armed robberies. The suspect is seen in each robbery wearing different style short-sleeve button down shirts and dark colored jeans. The suspect enters the business and covers the bottom portion of his face with a bandana.
The suspect’s face was captured on video during two separate occasions. The suspect appears very anxious during the robberies and aggressively brandishes a firearm at the victims. Continue reading
The SAPD is investigating the death of Louis Justin Diaz (22), a resident of Santa Ana, who was in a fight and then run over by a car Monday night, according to the SAPD.
The incident was reported about 7:10 p.m. at Centennial Park, located at the 3000 block of West Edinger Avenue, according to KTLA. Continue reading
A fire broke out this morning at around 11 a.m. at an abandoned residential building located at the 900 block of East Fourth St., in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.
It took more than 20 firefighters to put out the fire, according to the OCFA. Continue reading
A man was seriously injured Saturday evening, Sept. 23, when he was struck by a car that drove onto a sidewalk following a two-vehicle collision, according to the O.C. Register.
The victim was walking on the sidewalk at the 500 block of North Main St. when two cars collided, at about 8:50 p.m. One of the vehicles injured the victim when it went onto the sidewalk, after the collision. Continue reading
City of Santa Ana
Community: Santa Ana City Council Approves Action Plan on Homelessness
With a unanimous vote, the Santa Ana City Council approved a sweep of actions aimed at addressing homelessness during their latest council meeting. Despite numerous efforts to respond compassionately to this issue, the homeless population continues to grow in Santa Ana. As the city with the highest percentage of homeless in Orange County, the Homelessness Prevention, Intervention and Mitigation Plan, approved at the September 19th meeting, calls for immediate action in five key areas: Continue reading