I had a chance to meet with Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Schott a couple weeks ago. She is running for the 46th Congressional District, which is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
Schott, a Republican, grew up in Santa Ana, where her father was a barber with a shop in downtown Santa Ana. Her mom still lives in Santa Ana. And Schott got her education in Santa Ana while also getting her first job, at a travel agency in downtown Santa Ana. Continue reading
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE
Case # 16HF0034
Date: January 11, 2016
WHO: Jacob Michael Margo, 21, Santa Ana
WHAT: Has been charged and will be arraigned today for one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. Jacob Michael Margo is accused of murdering 19-year-old Octavio Jesus Alcala, whose body was found in a construction site in Irvine. If convicted, Margo faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Continue reading
Irvine Police Department Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE: #01-08-16
Subject: Arrest of Homicide Suspect
Contact : Farrah Emami, Public Information Officer 949-724-7112, femami@cityofirvine.org
Irvine, CA – The Irvine Police Department (IPD) has arrested a suspect for a June 2015 homicide. The suspect is identified as Jacob Michael Margo, 21, of Santa Ana.
On the morning of June 5, 2015, employees arriving to work at a construction site in the area of Wolf Trail and Orchard Hills located a deceased adult male, later identified as 19-year-old Octavio Jesus Alcala of Santa Ana. The victim was located face-down in a remote, graded construction area that did not have any buildings. Continue reading
The Irvine Police Department showed up in large numbers this afternoon in a Santa Ana neighborhood at W. McFadden Ave. and Parton St., not far from Flower St.
The Irvine SWAT team appears to be on the call (see picture below) but so far the Irvine Police have not issued any formal press releases about the matter. Continue reading
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org
Mail Theft Suspects Arrested Following Vehicle Pursuit
LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (December 18, 2015) – On Friday, December 18, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested David Brown, 45, Anaheim, Jessie Brown, 55, Anaheim, and Corey Richardson, 22, Anaheim, following an almost two-hour pursuit through Orange and Los Angeles counties. The suspects were arrested after they fled on foot following termination of a vehicle pursuit in the City of Downey.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of Buckboard Lane after neighbors reported seeing two male subjects taking mail from their mailboxes. The informants described the subject’s vehicle as a silver compact vehicle. The Sheriff’s Department’s airship “Duke” responded to the area with patrol units and immediately located a silver 2011 Honda Civic leaving the area. The vehicle, driven by David Brown, was travelling at a high rate of speed on Alicia Parkway towards the Interstate 5 freeway. Deputies attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle; however, the vehicle accelerated and a pursuit ensued. Continue reading
The Sacramento Democrats are looking forward to punking the OC GOP
The OC GOP’s Chairman, Fred Whitaker celebrated the Republican takeover of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) that took place this week when Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, a moderate Democrat, was replaced by Lake Forest Councilman Dwight Robinson, a Republican.
But Whitaker’s celebration might be very short lived. A well-placed source told me today that the Democrats in Sacramento are livid about the GOP’s shenanigans – which were engineered, allegedly, by none other than former Anaheim Mayor, turned lobbyist, Curt Pringle , on behalf of the oil industry. Continue reading
Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido used to be friendly with former Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle back in the day. The two of them often teamed up with former Irvine Mayor Larry Agran – and were referred to as the Tres Caballeros. Well Agran was booted off the Irvine City Council when the Republicans took over in Irvine and Pringle went on to become a lobbyist. And now Pringle has, as a lobbyist, turned on Pulido.
Pulido served on the Board of Governors of the South Coast Air Quality Management District for over a decade. That gig is over now as Pringle and several prominent Republican leaders led a movement to dump Pulido and replace him with a Republican – Lake Forest Councilman Dwight Robinson. Continue reading
Christopher Brown
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org
Investigators Seek Additional Victims of Child Pornography Suspect
SANTA ANA, Calif. (September 28, 2015) – On Friday, September 25, 2015, investigators from the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF) arrested Christopher Brown, 42, Orange, on multiple charges related to possession of child pornography and lewd conduct with a child. Brown was arrested in an Orange County shopping center parking lot after investigators contacted him during a surveillance operation.
On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, OCCETF investigators received information from the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Child Task Force (LAICACTF) about Brown and his involvement in numerous acts of sexual misconduct. Brown, a professional photographer and children’s tumbling teacher, was suspected in being in possession of numerous photographs and videos depicting female minors. Investigators immediately began analyzing electronic data and conducting a preliminary investigation into Brown’s elicit sexual misconduct. Continue reading
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE
Case # 14WF4259
Date: August 28, 2015
*Items included Apple iPhones, iPads, smartphones, and cameras. Third co-defendant in this case is a fugitive
WESTMINSTER, Calif. – Two men were sentenced today formoney laundering and conspiring to sell counterfeit electronic goods valued at nearly $3 million, including counterfeit iPhones and iPads, following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the Fountain Valley Police Department (FVPD).
RatebSaid Najjar, 60, and his son, Eyad Rateb Najjar, 36, both of Westminster, pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit trademark counterfeiting, one felony count of trademark counterfeiting, one felony count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, one felony count of money laundering, and sentencing enhancements for the value of the counterfeit merchandise seized over $1.3 million and money laundering over $2.5 million. Both defendants were each sentenced to eight years and four months in jail stayed pending the completion of three years formal probation, ordered to serve one year in jail and ordered to forfeit over $500,000 in cash assets to the County of Orange General Fund. Continue reading
JUICE IT UP! CELEBRATES 20 YEARS WITH FREE SMOOTHIES ON AUGUST 4
Company Commemorates Milestone with Guest Freebies at All Locations
IRVINE, California – Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading raw juice bar and hand-crafted smoothie franchises, is celebrating 20 refreshing years by offering guests a free smoothie at the chain’s more than 80 units nationwide. On Tuesday, August 4, between 9 and 11 a.m., head to Juice It Up! to receive a complimentary small Strawberry Wave™ or the new California Cooler™ smoothie, with no purchase necessary.
Purple Platypus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Zody Huynh, zody.huynh@purpleplatypus.com, (949) 474-9222 x 106
Purple Platypus Gears Up For Inventors Week at Discovery Cube
IRVINE, California (June 22, 2015) – Purple Platypus, Inc., the only certified Stratasys 3D printer reseller servicing the entire Southwest region (Arizona, Nevada and Southern California), will be participating in Discovery Cube’s Inventors Week from June 27, 2015 to July 12, 2015.
This is Discovery Cube’s 3rd annual Inventors Week celebrating tinkerers, builders, and explorers of all ages. These future business leaders and engineers will be showcasing their inventions while learning about various electronic and robotic principles that are fundamental for every future engineer to know. Continue reading
Irvine Police Department Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PRESS RELEASE: 06-06-2015
Subject: Homicide Victim Identified
Contact : Farrah Emami, Public Information Officer, Irvine Police Department, 949-724-7112, femami@cityofirvine.org
Irvine, CA – The victim in a homicide case being investigated by the Irvine Police Department (IPD) has been identified as 19-year-old Octavio Jesus Alcala of Santa Ana.
On the morning of June 5, 2015, employees arriving to work at a construction site in the area of Wolf Trail and Orchard Hills located a deceased adult male, later identified as Alcala. The victim was located face-down in a remote, graded construction area that does not have any buildings. The construction workers called 911 and IPD responded to the scene. Continue reading
Coneybeare Cleantech Leaders Conference to Target Drought Crisis in Southern California
Inaugural May 14 event attracts renowned leaders in water conservation and green technology innovation
IRVINE, CALIF – As the region’s water supply becomes more imperiled by the day and global temperatures continue to rise, some of the greatest minds in the clean technology field will be coming to Southern California to discuss the world’s most severe environmental challenges and offer solutions. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 14 at the Eureka Building in Irvine, and admission is $69.
The Coneybeare Cleantech Leaders Conference will feature cost-effective, high-impact and scalable strategies including innovations in water, solar and renewable energy. Venture capitalists, community and government leaders, utility executives, property owners and managers, clean technology companies, and green architectural, engineering, and construction firms will all be part of this inaugural event. Continue reading
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042,JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org
OC Sheriff’s Department’s 27th Annual Medal of Valor Ceremony
WHAT: The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will honor 37 of their own at the 27th Annual Medal of Valor Luncheon and Ceremony. This signature event recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department. The deputies and employees who will be honored have demonstrated exceptional Courage, Merit and Lifesaving. The event is underwritten and hosted by the Sheriff’s Advisory Council. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713; Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697
Angels Express Returns for 2015 Season
Popular service returns to Angel Stadium, beginning April 2 and 3
ORANGE – Baseball fans will again be able to hop aboard the Angels Express to quickly get to and from Angels games this season, beginning with the first pre-season home games against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday and Friday, April 2 and 3.
The special Metrolink train service allows fans to avoid traffic jams and save on gas and money by skipping the car trip and parking fees. Continue reading