An unidentified man who was fleeing from the police crashed into a police vehicle today in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.
The incident began near the Civic Center today at around 3:30 p.m., when police officers tried to pull the vehicle over for traffic violation. That is when the driver sped off. Continue reading
Michael Sebreros, a 47-year old man, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of making a false bomb threat using Santa Ana’s newly installed Code Blue Help Points emergency phone line just after being released from jail, according to the O.C. Register.
Sebreros walked up to an emergency pole across the street from the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse, sometime after 7 p.m. on Thursday, then he pushed a 911 button and he said that there was a bomb in the area, according to the SAPD. Continue reading
FREE LEGAL FAIR
On October 22, the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) will be hosting a legal fair from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at The Courtyard Transitional Center (also known as the bus transit terminal located across the street from the County Executive Office which is located at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana.
The OCBA wants to help you with your legal problems so you can get access to jobs and housing. They will be interviewing Civic Center residents to discuss their legal issues such as: Continue reading
Picture by Igmar Rodas
An car got stuck on the median at N. Spurgeon St. and E. 3rd St. this afternoon in Downtown Santa Ana according to community activist Igmar Rodas. He said that he has heard of two other similar incidents including one that involved a motorcycle that hit the median and spun out of control, ultimately crashing into Diego’s.
This time the driver of the unfortunate vehicle just got stuck on top of the median. The owner told Rodas that he was blinded by the sun as he was turning left from East 3rd St. onto North Spurgeon St. Continue reading
Photo by Nelson Lopez
One of our readers has reported that the SAPD is investigating a suspicious package at W. Santa Ana Blvd. and N. Broadway, in Santa Ana.
That location is near the Old Orange County Courthouse and the Orange County Hall of Administration. Continue reading
“We are SAUSD” School Choice Fair
Saturday, October 22, 2016
(October 17, 2016) – The Santa Ana Unified School District invites parents, students, and community members interested in learning about the unique opportunities and programs available to students at its 57 schools to attend “We are SAUSD School Choice Fair,” to be held Saturday, October 22, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in downtown Santa Ana on 4th Street.
“Our focus is to prepare all of our students for college and career beginning as early as preschool, so our School Choice Fair is a great opportunity for parents to get a head start on the variety of options that we have for their children so that they can plan and make the best decisions for their education,” said Dr. Stefanie Phillips, Superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District. Continue reading
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE
Case # 14CF2681
Date: October 14, 2016
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Garden Grove man was sentenced today to 114 years in state prison for shooting into a vehicle which killed a man and injured two women. Dustin Sean Ross McDonald, 25, was found guilty by a jury on June 14, 2016, of one felony count of first degree murder, two felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, and sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury.
On Aug. 12, 2014, McDonald arranged to meet with the three victims in Santa Ana for what they thought would be a drug transaction. At approximately 11:30 p.m. that night, the defendant drove up to the victim’s vehicle, just north of the Orange County School of the Arts, in the area of East 12th Street and Main Street, stepped out of his vehicle, and walked around to the front passenger side of the victims’ vehicle while armed with a firearm. The defendant fired approximately 10 shots at the victims, murdering the front passenger, 23-year-old Aaron Chavez. McDonald wounded both the 21-year-old female driver of the vehicle, Ashlee Caldwell, and the 28-year-old female passenger, Ingrid Gonzalez. Continue reading
Santa Ana’s Courtyard for the Homeless
City of Santa Ana
Community: The Courtyard Now Open – Temporary Transitional Shelter Near Civic Center
The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce that the County of Orange has recently opened the ‘Courtyard’ a temporary transitional shelter for homeless individuals in the Civic Center. The Courtyard is located in the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal next to the Civic Center.
Further, the County of Orange entered into an agreement with Midnight Mission to provide homeless individuals with services and connections to service providers, health care, housing opportunities and a pathway to stability. Continue reading
City of Santa Ana
Community: Downtown Santa Ana Recognized As One of America’s Great Neighborhoods
The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce that its Downtown was recognized as one of five Great Neighborhoods in America by the American Planning Association (APA). Each year, as part of its Great Places in America program, the APA recognizes exceptional streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces in the United States. These places, according to the APA, demonstrate exceptional character, quality, and planning—attributes that enrich communities, facilitate economic growth, and inspire others around the country.
Regarding the distinction, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido states, “the best is yet to come in Downtown Santa Ana. Thanks to careful planning and dedicated leadership from elected officials and City staff, Santa Ana is poised to benefit from major infrastructure investments like the OC Street Car. The City’s foresight in adopting a Transit Zoning Code has prepared Santa Ana to leverage this investment by catalyzing new housing construction, promoting new economic development opportunities, and encouraging more sustainable transportation choices.” Continue reading
Santa Ana’s Courtyard for the Homeless
Transitional Center for Civic Center Homeless Opens
A round-the-clock transitional center with emergency shelter beds and enhanced services for those without permanent housing who have congregated in the Orange County Civic Center has opened at the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal, which has been renamed “The Courtyard.”
About 225 lunches were served after the center opened Wednesday mid-morning; about 100 people reserved space to sleep overnight. Continue reading
Photo by Igmar Rodas
If you saw the caution tape around Santa Ana’s Civic Center this morning please don’t panic. It is just an SAPD training exercise, according to my sources.
The Civic Center has become a real problem over the past year as the homeless population has exploded. Just a few weeks ago an altercation between SAPD police officers and a homeless man led to a police shooting. The homeless man died as a result of his injuries. Continue reading
Homelessness: Supervisor Andrew Do asks for public’s support for 300-bed homeless shelter
At Tuesday’s meeting, OC to consider $1.4 million contract with Midnight Mission to run 300-bed shelter with 24-7 security
(Santa Ana, California)— Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is presenting for public input his ambitious plan to turn an abandoned bus terminal into a homeless shelter — within 30 days.
On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors will vote on a $1.4 million contract with Midnight Mission to run a 300-bed homeless shelter with round-the-clock security as well as job training services, permanent housing options, health care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment and veteran assistance services. Continue reading
Transitional Center for Civic Center Homeless Readied for Opening
Comprehensive Civic Center Survey Released
Two contracts for the operation of a round-the-clock transitional center with emergency shelter beds and enhanced services will be considered Tuesday by the Orange County Board of Supervisors for the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal, which has been renamed “The Courtyard.”
The plan to use the former terminal was proposed by Supervisor Andrew Do at a special Board meeting earlier this month, with a directive to open the center within 30 days providing access to showers, food programs, storage and comprehensive service referrals. Public restrooms have been available at the former bus terminal since 2009; in August, the County installed additional portable toilets. Continue reading
Santa Ana Police Department
Advisory: UPDATE – Burglary Suspect In Custody
– UPDATE –
On 9-21-2016 at approximately 7:45 p.m., officers were finishing up a call for service in the area of 1400 North Cabrillo, when they recognized a vehicle reportedly involved in a series of commercial burglaries. The officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
When the driver exited the vehicle the officers recognized him as Alberto Sierra the wanted suspect involved in the burglaries to the Mexican Consulate as well as several other recent commercial burglaries around the city. Sierra was taken into custody without incident. Continue reading
The Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved their new Civic Center Safety and Security Program at their meeting last night, according to the O.C. Register.
Two weeks after City Council members declared a “public health and safety homeless crisis” at the Civic Center, they’ve approved a program with the county to enhance safety and security in the area. Continue reading