Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: Orange County

Civic Center pedestrian traffic rerouted due to construction

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Civic Center Pedestrian Traffic Rerouted Due to Construction

Santa Ana, CA (October 5, 2017) — Pedestrian traffic has been rerouted surrounding the Building 16 construction area to ensure the safety of those walking through the Civic Center in Santa Ana.

The County has installed fencing along the Building 16 construction area and is installing additional easy-to-follow directional signs to help pedestrians navigate through the Civic Center. The Promenade (also known as the Walk of Honor), which previously extended from Ross St. to N. Broadway, will be closed until late 2019. A map of the impacted area is available at bit.ly/2gbFnQk. Continue reading→

Invasive tiger mosquitoes have increased by 330% in Orange County this year

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Orange County, Orange County Vector Control District, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes Increase in Numbers as they Spread Across Orange County

Garden Grove, CA. The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) has seen a significant increase in the presence of the invasive Aedes mosquitoes within Orange County. The mosquito species Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) and Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) are not native to the county and are capable of transmitting debilitating viruses including dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika. While these viruses are not currently transmitted locally, transmission could begin if someone infected abroad returns to Orange County and is bitten by the invasive mosquito. Vector Control officials are urging residents to take the necessary precautions to reduce mosquito breeding and to avoid bites from these aggressive day-biting mosquitoes.

The District’s surveillance and increased calls from residents confirm that in 2017, the presence of the invasive Aedes mosquitoes has increased in acreage by 330% within Orange County since last year. Continue reading→

California Task Force Team 5’s efforts in Texas recognized by the OC Supervisors

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Supervisors Bartlett and Spitzer, who are also members of the OCFA Board, applaud the successful rescue efforts of members of Orange County Fire Authority and the Anaheim and Orange Fire Departments that make up California Task Force Team 5.

“These courageous public servants didn’t hesitate when called upon to put their lives in danger in the service of others – even when it required them to leave their families and travel halfway across the country. Their heroism was on display as they saved more than 600 lives. Those individuals, their families, all of Texas and our community owe them our deepest respect and admiration. I very much look forward to honoring their service and heroism when they return, “said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. Continue reading→

Safe Surrender is saving the lives of babies in Orange County

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Date: August 11, 2017

Contact: Molly Nichelson, (714) 541-7734, Molly.Nichelson@ssa.ocgov.com

Safe Surrender Saves Lives in Orange County

Orange County, CA – A healthy baby was safely surrendered to Anaheim Fire & Rescue (AF&R) Station 1 late on Tuesday afternoon. The baby and mother were assessed by AF&R’s Nurse Practitioner and Firefighter/Paramedics before being transported to a local hospital for care and observation. The baby is currently in the care of the County of Orange Social Services Agency’s Children and Family Services (CFS) division. Continue reading→

Fresno felon convicted of pimping a young woman in Orange County

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

August 10, 2017

Case # 16WF1947

FRESNO FELON CONVICTED OF PIMPING YOUNG WOMAN AND ILLEGALLY POSSESSING LOADED FIREARM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A felon from Fresno was convicted today of pimping a young woman and illegally possessing a loaded firearm.

Defendant: Adam Rocky Trinidad, 25, Fresno

Pleaded guilty today to: Continue reading→

OC Summer Freedom Festival set for Aug. 11-13 at Mile Square Regional Park

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, Family, music, Orange County, Parks and Recreation Leave a comment

The County of Orange and OC Parks proudly present “The Summer Freedom Festival” at Mile Square Park, at 16801 Euclid St, Fountain Valley, on a 3 day weekend, August 11th, 12th & 13th, 2017.

Please come join us for food & drinks, daily raffles, carnival rides, a beer garden, and live entertainment, featuring the “Sound of OC Music Competition.” Entrance to the Summer Freedom Festival is FREE, so bring your Family and Friends to Mile Square Park and enjoy summer with us! Continue reading→

The OCDA’s offender treatment program appears to be reducing recidivism by 500%

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: August 7, 2017

ORANGE COUNTY OFFENDER TREATMENT PROGRAM DECREASED RATE OF RECIDIVISM BY 500% FOR 2015-2016 PARTICIPANTS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Pacific Educational Services (PES) released an evaluation indicating a 500% reduction in the rate of criminal recidivism for last year’s participants in the Orange County Offender Treatment Program (OC-OTP) in Santa Ana. The evaluation detailed the positive impact OC-OTP had on participants who completed the program without termination, primarily offenders dealing with drug usage and/or possession. Continue reading→

Take the bus to the OC Fair and get into the Fair for only $3

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2017

Go Stress-Free, Go OC Fair Express

The OC Fair Express continues to attract higher weekend ridership than previous years

ORANGE – Since the express bus service to the OC Fair began in 2011, more fair-goers have continued to discover how the OC Fair Express provides a convenient, stress-free ride to and from the OC Fair.

After its first two weekends of service this year, ridership on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s OC Fair Express has grown 36 percent compared to last year. Nearly 30,000 people so far this summer have taken the express service, saving time and money along the way. Continue reading→

Man busted for trying to recruit fake teen hookers online in Orange County

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

July 5, 2017

Case # 17CF1662

MINNESOTA MAN ARRAIGNED FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ATTEMPTED PIMPING OF TWO FICTITIOUS MINORS HE MET THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Minnesota man was arraigned today for human trafficking and attempted pimping of two fictitious minors he met through social media.

Defendant: Nigel Ezekiel Samuels, 25, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Charged today with: Continue reading→

The OC Sheriff is investigating a misidentification by the OC Coroner’s Office

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Contact: Lt. Lane Lagaret, 714.904.7042, LLagaret@ocsd.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE: OCSD Investigating Misidentification by OC Coroner Office

SANTA ANA, Calif. (June 26, 2017) – The decedent who was previously misidentified as Frank M. Kerrigan, 57, has been positively identified by fingerprints. The Coroner Division is attempting to locate and notify family therefore we will not be releasing the name of the decedent at this time. Until his family can be found or all efforts are exhausted, his body will remain interred at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.  Continue reading→

Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens to retire at the end of her current term

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Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens to retire at end of current term

Endorses Undersheriff Don Barnes as her successor

Santa Ana, CA – – Sandra Hutchens, Sheriff-Coroner of Orange County, announced today that she will not seek reelection in 2018 and is endorsing Orange County Undersheriff Don Barnes.

“At the end of my current term, I will have spent almost 40 years in law enforcement and over 10 years as Sheriff of Orange County,” said Hutchens. “It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as Sheriff and I would not even consider retiring if there was not a highly qualified and electable candidate ready to serve. Continue reading→

OCSD statement on ACLU of Southern California’s Jails Project Report

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Orange County, Sandra Hutchens, Santa Ana 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lt. Lane Lagaret, 714.904.7042, LLagaret@ocsd.org

OCSD statement on ACLU of Southern California’s Jails Project Report

SANTA ANA, Calif. (June 27, 2017) – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California released a report today on the Orange County jail system managed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The report presents a purposely distorted view of the Orange County Jails. The ACLU’s findings are largely based on interviews and surveys of former inmates. While inmates certainly have a perspective to offer on our jail system, the failure to include the perspective of law enforcement has resulted in a report that only tells one side of the story. Continue reading→

The OC Rescue Mission need your help to send homeless kids to summer camp

Posted on by Posted in Charities, homeless, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 1 Comment

OC RESCUE MISSION CALLS FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO HELP SEND HOMELESS CHILDREN TO SUMMER CAMP

Orange County, Calif. – The Orange County Rescue Mission is in critical need of the community’s help to provide funding for its fifth annual “Summer to Remember” program, a nine-week summer camp for children living at the Village of Hope, a transitional living facility for homeless individuals and families.
Starting at just $15 per day per child, community members can choose to sponsor one day, one week, or even the entire summer for a homeless child.

The program, which begins on June 19 and is designed for children ages 5 to 12, provides kids with STEM-based learning activities, as well as a curriculum that focuses on building solid foundations in science, technology, engineering and math. Continue reading→

The O.C. Grand Jury has found the O.C. Jailhouse Informant Program investigation to be a witch-hunt

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OC Grand Jury, OCDA, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Date: June 13, 2017

ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY DEBUNKS PHONY NEWS OF PROSECUTORIAL CORRUPTION IN ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

*Allegations characterized by the Orange County Grand Jury as “witch-hunt”

OCDA is addressing only the parts of the report pertaining to the Office and defers inquiries regarding the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County Grand Jury’s (OCGJ) report released today entitled “The Myth of the Orange County Jailhouse Informant Program,” confirms the steadfast position of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) both in court and in the media regarding informant matters. The OCGJ debunked the media “witch-hunt” for agency corruption, in examining People v. Dekraai and People v. Wozniak.

“The OCGJ is confident there is no program of jailhouse informant use for criminal investigation in the Orange County jails.” (p. 19). Furthermore, the OCGJ found that “Allegations of intentional motivation by a corrupt district attorney’s office … to violate citizen’s constitutional rights are unfounded. Disparate facts have been woven together and a combination of conjecture and random events have been juxtaposed to create a tenuous narrative insinuating nefarious intent. That narrative does not stand up to factual validation.” (p. 5)

Key points and findings include: Continue reading→

Lawyers from Centro Legal Internacional charged with massive workers’ comp referral scheme

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Lawyers, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 17CF1361-17CF1369, 17CF1372-17CF1373

Date: June 5, 2017

PHASE I CHARGES FILED ON 10 ATTORNEYS AND SIX CAPPERS IN MASSIVE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE REFERRAL SCHEME

*Largest number of attorneys charged in one case in Orange County history

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Ten attorneys and six cappers were charged today for participating in a massive multi-million dollar workers’ compensation insurance referral scheme that exploited persons in predominantly Spanish-speaking communities. This is the first phase of filing resulting from a 3-year insurance fraud investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Bureau of Investigation, Insurance Fraud Unit with assistance from the California Department of Insurance (CDI). Continue reading→