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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Ward 6 candidate Velasquez hits back at her opponent Mendoza with an Anti-SLAPP motion

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Courts, Mirna Velasquez, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Nelida Yanez

Mirna Velasquez, Candidate for Ward 6, responds to Nellie Mendoza lawsuit with an Anti-SLAPP motion for attorney fees

Santa Ana City Council Ward 6 candidate Mirna Velasquez responded to Nelida Mendoza lawsuit about her ballot designation and residency with facts and an Anti-Slapp motion for Attorney Fees.

Mendoza alleged that Velasquez was not a resident of Santa Ana Ward 6. However, Mendoza acknowledged in her complaint that Velasquez has lived in Ward 6 since at least her registration date of November 21, 2017. Not only did she register in the district more than 30 days before filing but Velasquez moved into the Ward on November 1, 2017 per her response. So there was no merit to the 1st cause of action by Ms. Mendoza. Continue reading→

A man was stabbed multiple times today near Mile Square Park

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

Fountain Valley police officers found an unidentified man in his 40’s who had been stabbed multiple times, when they responded to the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Edinger Avenue at about 2:30 p.m. after receiving a call, according to the O.C. Register.

The Fountain Valley police are now searching for a person of interest following in that stabbing. However they have no description of the suspect.  Continue reading→

The City of Santa Ana is holding public meetings regarding the Ward Map re-boundary process

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Ballot Measures, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: City Ward Map Re-Boundary Process

The City of Santa Ana encourages the public to participate in the decision-making process. The following information is being provided so that you can ask questions, make comments and stay informed about the proposed Ward re-boundaries that may be important to you. We encourage you to contact us prior to the meetings, if you have any questions.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: The Santa Ana City Council will hold a series of Community Meetings and Public Hearings to consider modifying the Ward boundaries to comply with both the Federal and California law, including the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). Continue reading→

Santa Ana woman charged with hate crimes after vandalizing two Buddhist temples

Posted on by Posted in Churches and Religion, Courts, Crime, Garden Grove, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Trang Thu Pham

Case # 18CF2388

Date: August 24, 2018

WOMAN CHARGED WITH VANDALISM AND HATE CRIMES AGAINST TWO BUDDHIST TEMPLES IN ORANGE COUNTY

*Defendant was out of custody after being convicted of vandalism of a religious property

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A woman was charged today with vandalism and hate crimes against two Buddhist Temples in Orange County.

“An attack on one religion is an attack on all. We must stand up to bigotry and respect everyone’s right to worship,” stated District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.

Defendant: Trang Thu Pham, 49, Santa Ana

Charged today with the following felony counts: Continue reading→

The Santa Ana Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Monday re the 2525 N. Main St. apartment development

Posted on by Posted in Development, Housing, Planning, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The City of Santa Ana Planning Commission will allow residents to speak at their meeting on Monday, August 27, at 5:30 p.m. regarding the contentious plan to develop the property at 2525 N. Main St. into the Magnolia at the Park apartment complex. This has the adjacent Park Santiago Neighborhood up in arms.

Here is a note from the Park Santiago Neighborhood leaders regarding this development and this meeting: Continue reading→

Critical Santa Ana missing person has been found

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

Lily Huang

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Update – Critical Missing Person Located

Update -Critical Missing Person Lily Huang has been located and with family

Missing Person, Lily HUANG was last seen around midnight on August 25, 2018. Around 9:00am, HUANG’S family discovered that HUANG was not home. Prior to going missing, HUANG told her daughter that she was going to injure herself and left a note behind apologizing for past family issues. According to family members, HUANG has been diagnosed as being bipolar. It is unknown if HUANG has been taking her prescribed medication. Continue reading→

OCTA Transportation Plan and Streetcar Open Houses coming in Sep.

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

OCTA Seeks Input into Transportation Future

Draft Long-Range Transportation Plan serves as Orange County’s mobility blueprint for next 20 years, public participation a critical factor in shaping outcome

The Orange County Transportation Authority is seeking public input to help plan for Orange County’s transportation needs for the next 20 years.

A draft copy of the Long Range Transportation Plan, called Designing Tomorrow, was recently presented to the OCTA board and is now up for public review and comment on the OCTA website at www.octa.net/lrtp. Continue reading→

A Santa Ana man was convicted of stabbing his cousin to death

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

Michael J. Martinez, a 32-year-old Santa Ana man, was convicted on Friday of fatally stabbing his cousin — 25-year-old Ruben J. Murga of Santa Ana, in Garden Grove last year.

Martinez was convicted of second-degree murder, with jurors also finding true a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for a critical missing person

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

Lily Huang

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Requesting Assistance Locating A Critical Missing Person

Missing Person, Lily HUANG was last seen around midnight on August 25, 2018. Around 9:00am, HUANG’S family discovered that HUANG was not home. Prior to going missing, HUANG told her daughter that she was going to injure herself and left a note behind apologizing for past family issues. According to family members, HUANG has been diagnosed as being bipolar. It is unknown if HUANG has been taking her prescribed medication. Continue reading→

A Santa Ana meth user who shot at police during a pursuit got an 18 year prison sentence

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

Jimmy Hoang Truong

Case # 16ZF0003

Date: August 24, 2018

FELON OUT ON THE STREETS DUE TO PROP 47 SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ASSAULTING PEACE OFFICERS WITH SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A felon who had two of his prior felony convictions reduced to misdemeanors under Proposition 47 (Prop 47), which resulted in his release from custody, was sentenced today to 18 years in state prison for shooting his firearm at police officers while leading them on a chase.

“Orange County law enforcement is second to none, and our united efforts continue to keep Orange County safest among all surrounding counties despite the continued passage of anti-public safety laws,” stated District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.

Defendant: Jimmy Hoang Truong, 31, Santa Ana

Convicted by a jury on Feb. 20, 2018, of the following felony counts: Continue reading→

This week’s Cochino List includes El Ranchito, Carnitas Sahuayo and El Rincon Mexicano

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, OC Health Care, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Aug. 17 to 24, 2018. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

  • El Ranchito Restaurant, 2201 E. First St., Santa Ana, Closed: Aug. 23, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Aug. 24
  • Carnitas Sahuayo, 402 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, Closed: Aug. 22, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Aug. 22
  • El Rincon Mexicano, 104 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana, Closed: Aug. 22, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Aug. 23

Continue reading→

Elderly man arrested for molesting a developmentally disabled little girl at Jerome Park

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD, Seniors Leave a comment

Francisco Ramirez

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Arrest Suspect For Sexually Molesting Developmentally Delayed Minor – Believe There May Be Additional Victims

Arrested: Francisco Ramirez (75) Santa Ana

Francisco Ramirez (75-years-old) was arrested for sexually molesting a 10-year-old developmentally delayed girl on multiple occasions. Ramirez was a volunteer at the Southwest Senior Center at Jerome Park. The incidents occurred during the month of July at the senior center garden. Continue reading→

The I-405 is set to close overnight this Saturday in Huntington Beach and Westminster

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County Leave a comment

I-405 set to Close Overnight Saturday in Huntington Beach, Westminster

Full freeway closure planned in both directions from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Aug. 25 between Beach Boulevard and Bolsa Avenue/Goldenwest Street

ORANGE – Interstate 405 through Huntington Beach and Westminster is scheduled to fully close from approximately 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25 as part of the I-405 Improvement Project.

The full freeway closure is necessary to finish safely demolishing the McFadden Avenue bridge over the northbound I-405 lanes. Half the bridge, over the southbound lanes, was demolished during an overnight full freeway closure on Aug. 18. Continue reading→

The SAPD will be conducting a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint this Saturday night

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

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on Saturday, August 25th in the area of 2100 S. Raitt.

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Saturday August 25th, 2018. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2100 S Raitt Street, in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→