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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The Santa Ana City Council unanimously passed a Sanctuary City ordinance

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, immigration, mexico, Politics, Santa Ana 4 Comments

santa-ana-sanctuary-city

The Santa Ana City Council voted unanimously at their meeting last night to adopt an ordinance declaring itself a sanctuary for all residents regardless of immigration status, according to the O.C. Register.

The ordinance means that the similar resolution passed by the City Council at their last meeting is now going to be a city law. And this time everyone on the Council showed up and voted for the new ordinance including new City Council members Juan Villegas and Jose Solorio, as well as Mayor Miguel Pulido. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for an armed suspect who robbed a Chevron and a 7-Eleven

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

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Are Requesting Media And Public Assistance In Identifying Robbery Suspect Using Assault Type Rifle

Crime Type: Robbery

Two Location: Chevron Gas (1501 S. Broadway Street) & 7-Eleven (1020 S. Bristol Street)

On 12/17/2016 at approximately 0200 hours and at 0400 hours, the suspect entered the Chevron Gas station and later a 7-Eleven business, carrying an “assault-style rifle.” The suspect used the rifle during the robberies as he demanded money from the clerk at each location. Continue reading→

RIP former Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Sandy Nalle

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Planning, Santa Ana 2 Comments

We are sorry to report that former Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Alexander “Sandy” Nalle passed away yesterday after having an emergency triple bypass surgery.

Nalle was a fixture in the community serving not only as a City Commissioner but also as the Treasurer of First Baptist Church, which he helped to transition to Newsong Church. Today that church is once again a vibrant part of the community. Continue reading→

Three suspects robbed and stabbed a business owner at the 12300 block of Westminster on Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, Santa Ana Leave a comment

robbery-and-stabbing-at-the-12300-block-of-westminster-avenue

An unidentified man was stabbed several times on Saturday afternoon during a robbery of his Garden Grove business, at the 12300 block of Westminster Avenue, according to the O.C. Register.

The attack happened just past noon while the business was being robbed.  The business is located at a strip mall just a few blocks west of Fairview St.

One of our readers reported that the business that was robbed was Angeles Smoke Shop, located at 12321 Westminster Ave., in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

A suspected transient was stabbed to death behind Santa Ana’s Walmart early this morning

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment
3600 West McFadden

3600 West McFadden

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Investigating Stabbing Death 3600 West McFadden

On Sunday, December 18, 2016, at 2:45 AM, SAPD Officers responded to the rear of the Walmart located at 3600 West McFadden Avenue for a report of a stabbing victim. They located an unidentified Asian or Hispanic male in his late 20’s to early 30’s. The victim, who is possibly a transient, had multiple stab wounds.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The victim did not survive his injuries and was declared deceased. Continue reading→

A drive by shooter wounded a bicyclist today near Harvey Elementary School

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A man was seriously wounded when he was shot this morning while riding his bike along South Raitt Street, between Warner and Edinger, in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim was shot at about 11:20 a.m., in broad daylight, as he was riding his bike on the eastbound sidewalk along South Raitt Street. The shooter pulled up in his car and shot the victim, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

Vietnamese entertainer sentenced for molesting a minor boy in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, Little Saigon, OCDA, Santa Ana, Vietnamese Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 16WF0648

Date: December 16, 2016

VIETNAMESE ENTERTAINER “MINH BEO” SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING MINOR BOY AND ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT LEWD ACT ON FICTITIOUS MINOR

WESTMINSTER, Calif. – Vietnamese entertainer “Minh Beo” was sentenced today to 18 months in state prison and lifetime sex offender registration for sexually assaulting a minor boy and attempting to commit a lewd act on a fictitious minor. Minh Quang Hong, who goes by the stage name “Minh Beo”, 38, Garden Grove, pleaded guilty on Aug. 10, 2016, to one felony count of oral copulation of a minor and one felony count of attempting to commit a lewd act upon a child under 14 years old.

Prior to the crime, Hong traveled from Vietnam to visit Orange County and Atlanta, Georgia. Hong is a well-known Vietnamese entertainer with access to children. Continue reading→

81-year old former missionary from Tustin sentenced for molesting three girls

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

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 16CF0858

Date: December 16, 2016

81-YEAR-OLD FORMER MISSIONARY SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSULTING THREE GIRLS UNDER AGE 10

SANTA ANA, Calif. – An 81-year-old former missionary was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in state prison yesterday for sexually assaulting three girls under the age of 10. Douglas Dale Whinery, 81, Tustin, pleaded guilty to seven felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 with a sentencing enhancement allegation for committing lewd acts upon multiple victims.

At the time of the crime, Whinery was a former pastor and missionary and was actively involved at Olive Crest Church in Santa Ana, Foothill Family Church in Foothill Ranch, and Grace Church in Yorba Linda. The defendant was in a position of trust with access to children. Continue reading→

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and drivers license checkpoint on 12/17

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

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Sat., December 17th, 2016, 9:30PM to 2:30AM, 1000 E. 4th Street

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Saturday, December 17th, 2016. It will begin at 9:30PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 1000 E. 4th St., in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→

The U.S. Justice Dept. is finally investigating the OC Sheriff and the OCDA

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Justice, OCDA, Orange County, Politics, Sandra Hutchens, Santa Ana, Tony Rackauckas Leave a comment

Tony-Rackauckas-and-Susan-Kang-Schroeder-300x225

Department of Justice

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Justice Department Opens Investigations of Orange County, California, District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department

The Justice Department today opened a civil pattern-or-practice investigation into the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s El Calamar restaurant will pay $96K in unpaid overtime and damages to their workers

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Federal Government, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

wenches-at-el-calamar-in-santa-ana

SANTA ANA RESTAURANT WORKERS WILL RECEIVE $96K IN UNPAID OVERTIME, DAMAGES AFTER US LABOR DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION

Employer: El Calamar Inc.

Site: 315 West 17th St., Santa Ana, California

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that the El Calamar restaurant violated the Fair Labor Standards Act when it failed to pay required overtime to 11 workers employed as cooks. The employer sometimes paid these workers straight time for overtime, in cash; sometimes made only partial overtime payments, in cash; and sometimes recorded only 80 hours worked in a two-week period on the payroll when, in fact, the employees worked 60 to 90 hours per week on average. Continue reading→

Toy Drive in the Barrio set for Dec. 18 at Jerome Park

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

toy-drive-in-the-barrio-311x400

Unidos Para Ti is hosting their yearly community event, the 9th Annual Toy Drive in the Barrio, on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 4 pm, at Jerome Park, located at 726 South Center St., in Santa Ana.

Unidos Para Ti, along with various partners such as OC Lowrider Alliance, Holiday Wish Foundation and many others, have been working very hard to execute their yearly toy giveaway this Christmas Season. This year their much anticipated event will be taking place in one of the neediest neighborhoods in Santa Ana, the New Horizons neighborhood. Continue reading→

The third suspect in the M&Toi Cafe robbery has been arrested by the SAPD

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A third suspect in a Santa Ana cafe robbery, Marc Louis Gold of Fountain Valley, 21, was arrested Wednesday, according to the O.C. Register.

Gold was arrested at his home and booked on suspicion of robbery. He was supposedly the mastermind of a robbery that involved two other 17-year-old boys, whose names were not released because of their age, according to the SAPD. One of the teens, who lives in Westminster, turned himself in on Dec. 2, and the other teen, who lives in Santa Ana, was arrested on Thursday. The teens were booked at Juvenile Hall on suspicion of armed robbery. Continue reading→

A man says he was shot and injured early today near Edinger and Flower

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

The SAPD is investigating a possible altercation in Santa Ana that led to the shooting of a man early Wednesday, according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting victim showed up at a local hospital at around 4 a.m. with what was described as a non-life threatening gunshot wound, according to the SAPD. The victim said that he was shot during a fight at Edinger Avenue and Flower Street. Continue reading→

Tustin woman charged with DUI and crashing into an Orange police officer

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, OCDA, Orange, Tustin Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 16CF3123

Date: December 13, 2016

DRUNKEN DRIVER CHARGED WITH CRASHING INTO POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS STANDING BEHIND PATROL VEHICLE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver was charged today with crashing into a police officer who was standing behind his patrol vehicle on a residential street. Ashley Victoria Bertolino, 27, Tustin, is charged with one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs causing bodily injury, one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, and one felony count of driving with a blood alcohol level of .08% or more causing bodily injury, with sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison. The defendant is scheduled for a continued arraignment on Jan. 6, 2017, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→