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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The SAPD is seeking public input as they craft a new policing philosophy

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, David Valentin, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: INVITATION BY POLICE CHIEF DAVID VALENTIN FOR COMMUNITY INPUT FOR DEPARTMENTS NEW POLICING PHILOSOPHY

Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin invites you to a unique opportunity to provide input on establishing the Department’s Policing Philosophy. This invitation is centered on his open servant leadership approach to proving the best policing services possible for everyone in Santa Ana.

The Orange County Human Relations Commission will conduct four public meetings aimed at engaging residents and police officers in a joint effort to improve relationships and learn from each other about how to keep our families, friends and neighbors safe. Continue reading→

Off-duty Garden Grove police officer charged with DUI after falling asleep on the freeway

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA Leave a comment

Case # 18CM06849

Date: July 31, 2018

OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER ARRAIGNED FOR DUI AFTER FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL ON 55 FREEWAY

SANTA ANA, Calif. – An off-duty Garden Grove Police Department (GGPD) officer was arraigned yesterday for driving under the influence (DUI) after falling asleep at the wheel on the 55 freeway.

Defendant: Jared Russell Doyle, 32

Charged on July 3, 2018, with the following misdemeanor counts: Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for a critical missing senior who has dementia

Posted on by Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD, Seniors Leave a comment

David James Wood missing in Santa Ana

Santa Ana Police Department

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

Missing Person: David James Wood (87) Santa Ana

On July 31, 2018, at approximately 9:15 am, missing person David James Wood was last seen leaving his residence driving his vehicle (description stated above) to a medical appointment at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Medical officials later advised that he never made it to his appointment. Wood is believed to have his wallet, driver’s license and cash with him. He does not have a cell phone on him and is experiencing the onset of Dementia. He can communicate his name, address and other pertinent general information. Continue reading→

Why is security at the Santa Ana Zoo so bad that a Lemur was stolen?

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

By now you have heard that a lemur was stolen from the Santa Ana Zoo over the weekend. The good news is that it has since been recovered after it was dropped off at a Newport Beach hotel, according to the O.C. Register.

Apparently a group of suspects climbed over a wall on the Zoo’s perimeter then cut fences on two enclosures that contained a group of Capuchin monkeys and the lemur, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

This week’s Cochino List includes Super Antojitos, Anita’s, Kebab Place and Quan Huong

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, 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 July 20 to 27, 2018. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

  • Anita’s Restaurant, 2317 W. 1st St., Suite A, Santa Ana, Closed: July 25, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: July 26
  • Update: Jugos Victoria at 1421 S. Main St., Santa Ana, closed July 20 because of a rodent infestation, reopened July 23
  • Kebab Place, 306 W. 4th St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 24, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: July 25
  • Quan Huong, 5423 W. 1st St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 23, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: July 24
  • Super Antojitos, 1702 N. Bristol St., Suite D, Santa Ana, Closed: July 24, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: July 24

Continue reading→

Take a course on starting a food business in Santa Ana starting on Aug. 1

Posted on by Posted in Business, Food, Food Trucks, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: The Whole Kitchen Sink: A 6-Week Crash Course on Starting a Food Business & Becoming a Food Entrepreneur

The City of Santa Ana in partnership with the 4th Street Market, and the Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network invite food entrepreneurs to participate in “The Whole Kitchen Sink”, a 6-week crash course on starting a food business.

The program in intended for individuals looking to start a food truck, sell homemade food products, or open a brick and mortar restaurant. In this hands-on program, participants will learn to start their business and use a commercial kitchen space. Continue reading→

$1.6M in illegal narcotics seized in massive LA/OC drug bust

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Drugs, Orange County, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Multi-agency investigation leads to the seizure of $1.6 million worth of illegal narcotics

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 26, 2018) – An investigation by a multi-agency operation to intercept narcotics and hold drug traffickers accountable has resulted in the arrest of three men and the confiscation of 184 pounds of illegal narcotics and five guns.

The investigation, which initiated in Orange County, resulted in the seizure of 68 pounds of methamphetamine, 26 pounds of fentanyl, 88 pounds of heroin and about 2 pounds of cocaine from multiple locations in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Continue reading→

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and Driver’s Licence Checkpoint this Saturday at 1500 E. McFadden St.

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

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on Saturday, July 28th, in the area of 1500 E. McFadden St.

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Saturday July 28th 8, 2018. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 1500 E McFadden 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→

A Santa Ana man was burned over 60% of his body in an arson fire

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

A Santa Ana resident, Mark Rojas, 30-years-old, was badly burned in his apartment, at the Santa Ana Saddleback Lodge, in a fire believed to have been arson, according to ABC News.

The fire happened in the early morning hours of July 11. Rojas was burned over 60 percent of his body and was in critical condition with third degree burns. He also injured his respiratory system and had to be intubated immediately. Continue reading→

Man gets life in prison for kidnapping, torturing and mutilating an O.C. marijuana dispensary owner

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Drugs, Fountain Valley, Marijuana, Newport Beach, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

Kyle Shirakawa Handley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 13CF3394

Date: July 20, 2018

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOR KIDNAPPING, TORTURING, AND MUTILATING MARIJUANA DISPENSARY OWNER

*Jury reached guilty verdict in less than two hours

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was sentenced today to life in state prison without the possibility of parole for kidnapping, torturing, and mutilating a marijuana dispensary owner. The defendant was found guilty by a jury after less than two hours of deliberation.

Defendant: Kyle Shirakawa Handley, 36, Fountain Valley

Found guilty by a jury on Jan. 4, 2018 of the following felony counts: Continue reading→

Texas man gets 15 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting a little girl in Santa Ana

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

Dustin Lee Morgan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 15CF0503

TEXAS MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN STATE PRISON FOR BREAKING INTO HOME OF 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER WHILE SHE WAS ASLEEP IN HER BED

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Texas man was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison today for breaking into the home of an 8-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her while the victim was asleep in her bed.

Defendant: Dustin Lee Morgan, 36, Texarkana, Texas

Found guilty by a jury on June 25, 2018, of one felony count each of: Continue reading→

A suspect who was possibly on drugs died after getting arrested by the SAPD today

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD And OCDA Investigating In-Custody Death -3400 Block South Plaza Drive

Deceased: Pending Family Notification

On Monday, July 23, 2018, at 10:52 AM, Santa Ana Police officers responded to the apartment complex at 3400 South Plaza Drive for a reported fight inside an unspecified apartment. Upon arrival, officers heard a commotion, to include breaking glass, from a second story apartment. The officers called out to the occupant of the apartment and requested he come out to speak with them.

An unidentified adult male exited the apartment partially clothed displaying objective symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers detained the subject for further investigation. The subject became unresponsive. Officers began lifesaving measures and requested Orange County Fire Authority paramedics. Continue reading→

This week’s Cochino List includes Jugos Victoria, Gu Ramen and Restaurant Acapulco

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Public Safety, 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 July 13 to July 20, 2018. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

  • Jugos Victoria, 1421 S. Main St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 20, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Restaurant Acapulco, 2419 W. McFadden Ave., Suite 108, Santa Ana, Closed: July 20, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: July 20
  • La Bahia de Acapulco Market, 2429 W. McFadden Ave., Suite 109, Santa Ana, Closed: July 19, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: July 20
  • Gu Ramen, 304 N. Main St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 18, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: July 19
  • Carl’s Jr., 1943 E. 17th St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 17, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: July 17
  • Mary Restaurant, 1819 S. Main St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 13, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: July 13

Continue reading→

A female skateboarder being pulled by a vehicle died in Santa Ana early this morning

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

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Collision Investigations Unit – Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Collision 2400 Block North Spruce

Deceased: Vanessa Nichole Salcido (24) Santa Ana

On Sunday, June 22, 2018 at approximately 1:30 am, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) received a 911 call from a Santa Ana resident reporting a female had fallen from a skateboard and was down in the roadway in the 2400 block of N. Spruce Street. The female was reportedly unconscious but breathing. Upon their arrival, OCFA personnel briefly treated the female at the scene before she was transported by CARE Ambulance to UCI Medical Center for treatment. Continue reading→

Reward offered for info regarding the suspect who killed Roberto Silva

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

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: UPDATE – ATF ANNOUNCES $10K REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE SUSPECT IN THIS CASE

– UPDATE –

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA — Today the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives (ATF) and Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the shooting homicide of an 18-yr-old.

On Saturday, June 23, just after 1 a.m., Roberto Silva was shot in the parking lot of 1700 E. Newport Circle. Silva had been attending a large unsanctioned street party at the location. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Continue reading→