Veteran’s Day is coming up on Monday, November 11. This is a day we should all celebrate and in particular it is a day to thank those who served in our Armed Forces.
Here are the events going on throughout Orange County, in and around Santa Ana, plus a few special deals too: Continue reading
Sacramento Is a Scary Place for Taxpayers and Not Just on Halloween
HJTA releases 2013 Legislative Report Card – Record-tying number of legislators (79) flunk; only 25 score an “A”
By: Jon Coupal, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Sacramento, CA – HJTA has released its 2013 Legislative Report Card. HJTA’s scorecard is intended as a tool to help struggling California taxpayers hold legislators of both parties accountable. Of the 120 members of the Legislature, 79 received a grade of “F” while only 25 earned an “A” grade. Twenty bills were used and represent the priorities of HJTA’s 200,000 members.
“Our report card is designed to help Californians gauge how their state representatives are actually performing on taxpayer-related issues including tax increases and direct attacks on Proposition 13,” said HJTA President Jon Coupal. “Regrettably, the grades show that Sacramento continues to be very hostile to taxpayers.” Continue reading
From: The OC Politics Blog
You have to love the OC Weekly’s annual list of Orange County’s Scariest People. This year’s list includes Anaheim Council Member Kris Murray, GOP blogger Matt Cunningham, OC Supe Todd Spitzerm, State Senator Lou Correa and lame OC Register owner Aaron Kushner. Here are a few excerpts:
A pioneer in OC’s blogging community, Matt Cunningham was shamed into digital hiding a couple of years ago when the longtime Republican operative outed sex-abuse victims in his pathetic campaign to defend his priest, John Urell, a Diocese of Orange bigwig who had long shielded pedophile priests from the law. Cunningham re-emerged last year to start a new blog funded by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce with the sole purpose of tarring Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait and activists trying to reform the corrupt town. When he’s not trashing attempts at democracy, Cunningham hails the status quo and whines that Republicans aren’t paying attention to Anaheim, which only proves how influential he truly is. Did we mention he outed sex-abuse victims? Mitigating factor: He inspired two of the greatest nicknames in OC blogging history—”Jerbal,” for his Baba Booey-like chompers, and “Fart Boy,” because his ethics are as smelly as a juicy ripper. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Lt. Jeff Hallock (714) 647 7042/Gail Krause (714) 647-1840
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Receives Grant for County-Wide DUI Enforcement Campaign
SANTA ANA, CA – (October 18, 2013) – Drunk and drugged driving remains the number one killer on our roadways with 774 deaths and over 24,000 injuries. The “Avoid the 13” DUI Task Force will be combating this deadly problem through DUI enforcement efforts in Orange County. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be administering a recent $114,232 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to cover DUI enforcement operations within the department’s 13 contract cities. Continue reading
Orange County Sheriff’s Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042/Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840
The Great California ShakeOut is coming – October 17 at 10:17 a.m.
Everyone, everywhere, should know how to protect themselves during earthquakes
SANTA ANA, CA – (October 16, 2013) – On Thursday, October 17 at 10:17 a.m., Orange County residents, students and businesses will practice the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” position as part of the world’s largest earthquake drill – the Great California ShakeOut. Continue reading
Todd Spitzer Inspects Partial Collapse of Hangar Roof at Former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
By Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer
On Monday, October 7, a portion of the roof caved in and collapsed at the historical landmark North Blimp Hangar at the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, located in the Third District. The hangar roof was left with a 625-square foot hole. The hangar was designed and built in 1942 during World War II and is mostly made of wood. It covers more than 5 acres and stands over 17 stories tall. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Media Advisory
For Immediate Release: October 9, 2013
WHO: Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas
WHAT: Published a letter containing the investigation findings and legal conclusions regarding the Santa Ana Police Department’s officer-involved-shooting involving Graham Islas. The full letter, “OCDA Report Officer-Involved-Shooting Investigation – Graham Islas,” is available at www.orangecountyda.com by selecting Investigation Letters under the Media Center pull-down menu or click here. Continue reading
Part of the roof of a hangar collapsed at a former military base in Tustin, damaging a $35-million dirigible and causing it to leak helium, according to ABC News.
The collapse left a 25-by-25-foot hole in the ceiling and caused a helium leak in the 254 foot long airship about 7:45 a.m., Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said. No one was injured, he added, according to Fox News.
Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who was at the hanger Monday, said the roof collapse worried him because the county is slated to take over the structure. “This is going to raise serious questions about the future of this hanger and whether Orange County can afford future liability,” Spitzer said, according to the L.A. Times. Continue reading
(Portions Courtesy of the National Weather Service and the Fire Safe Council East Orange County Canyons)
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for most of Orange County, effective from 2:00 AM on Friday, October 4, until 8:00 PM on Sunday, October 6.
“I urge all Orange County residents to be vigilant and take extra precautions during this Red Flag Warning,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer, also an Orange County Fire Authority Director, said. “The Third District’s canyon communities are particularly vulnerable in these conditions.” Continue reading
Robert Allen Barnhart
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 11WF2614: September 30, 2013
MAN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTING VICTIM FOLLOWING ROAD RAGE PURSUIT AND CRASH
WESTMINSTER – A man was sentenced Friday for assaulting a victim following a road rage pursuit. Robert Allen Barnhart, 54, Bellflower, was found guilty by a jury July 25, 2013, of two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one misdemeanor count of battery. He was sentenced Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, to 180 days in jail, 185 days in jail stayed pending completion of five years formal probation, lifetime license revocation, and ordered to attend 22 weeks of anger management classes. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 647-7042/Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840
Orange County Youth Commit to a Drug-Free Life During Red Ribbon Week
SANTA ANA, California (September 30, 2013) – Since 1988, Orange County has been celebrating Red Ribbon Week, a national drug prevention effort that takes place during the month of October. Drug Use Is Life Abuse (DUILA) plays a leading role in this effort in Orange County. For 25 years, DUILA has provided Red Ribbon wristbands to every school-aged child in public and private schools in Orange County. This amounts to an astounding one million Red Ribbon wristbands annually. Continue reading
I-405 Improvement Project Update
By Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates
Project development and environmental documentation are underway for improvements to the Interstate 405, between State Route 55 and Interstate 605. On October 22, 2012, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors considered three different build alternatives and selected Alternative 1, which adds one general purpose lane in each direction, as the Locally Preferred Alternative.
Alternative 2 would add two general purpose lanes in each direction but would have a $100 million funding shortfall; and Alternative 3 would add one general purpose lane in each direction, as well as a toll lane in each direction, which would be added to the existing HOV lane to create a two-lane High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane facility (similar to the 91 Express Lanes). The approximate $700 million shortfall for Alterative 3 would be funded through toll revenue bonds. Continue reading
IRVINE, CA, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 – GUARDaHEART, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting heart disease through awareness and prevention, announced that it will host a special event on September 28th in recognition of The World Heart Federation’s World Heart Day.
The World Heart Day mission is to stress the importance of heart disease prevention, from childhood through adulthood. Heart disease remains the #1 killer in many countries, including the U.S., yet it is well known 80 percent of premature deaths from heart disease can be avoided with early detection and lifestyle modifications.The black tie James Bond-themed event on September 28th is focused on “Targeting Heart Disease” and will highlight which actions can be taken to reduce the risk of heart disease with a core message: “LEARN. DETECT. PREVENT.” Continue reading
Max Edward Fernandez
Orange County Sheriff’s Department
Jail Escapee Notice
DETAILS:
IRVINE, California – (September 21, 2013) – On Friday, September 20, at approximately 4:00 p.m. inmate Max Edward Fernandez (DOB: 8-27-1986) was confirmed missing during a security check at the James A. Musick Facility.
The investigation is ongoing as to how Fernandez escaped the facility. Fernandez was in custody for possession of stolen property and a narcotics violation. He has a criminal history of thefts, burglaries, narcotic violations, auto theft and resisting arrest.
OCTA Urges Solo Drivers To Try Other Travel Options During Rideshare Week
Commuters will have a chance to learn about the benefits of using alternate modes of transportation during national Rideshare Week, which runs from Oct. 7 through Oct. 11, 2013.
Rideshare Week is an annual event that focuses on environmentally friendly transportation options, which include buses, trains, carpools, vanpools, bikes and more.
OCTA’s 2013 Rideshare Week campaign — 101 Reasons to Rideshare — reminds commuters of the benefits associated with alternative transportation. Benefits include cost and time savings, networking possibilities and the ability to relax instead of dealing with traffic. Continue reading