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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: Orange County

100 students toured the Ford HQ in Irvine as a gang prevention incentive

Posted on by Posted in automobiles, Gangs, Lawyers, Orange County, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Henry Ford III

Orange County District Attorney
Press Release, For Immediate Release: December 6, 2012
Contacts:, Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

100 STUDENTS INVITED FOR AN INSIDE LOOK AT FORD REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR GANG PREVENTION INCENTIVE

*Media interested in attending are asked to arrive at the Ford building by 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 7, 2012

ORANGE COUNTY – Ford Motor Company (Ford) has invited 100 elementary and middle school at-risk students to visit the Ford facilities as an incentive for positive behavior, perfect attendance, and staying out of gangs. To earn this reward, the students met a challenge to have no unexcused absences, criminal activity or arrests, violence or weapons on campus, and no gang-related clothing, writing, or behavior.

During the visit to the Ford Irvine headquarters, the students will spend time with Ford’s design team learning about the studio design process, including the Ford Shelby GR1, the Lincoln MKR and the Ford START, three futuristic concept cars. Continue reading→

First installment of O.C. property tax payment deadline on 12/10

Posted on by Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment
OFFICE OF THE TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR, SHARI L. FREIDENRICH, CPA, CCMT, CPFA, CPFIM
PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2012
Contact: Shari Freidenrich, (714) 834-7625, Treasurer@ttc.ocgov.com
First Installment Property Tax Payment Deadline
Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich reports that the first installment of the 2012-2013 secured property taxes must be paid by December 10, 2012 to avoid any late charges. Any first installment payments received after Monday, December 10, 2012 that do not have a US Postal stamp of the 10th or earlier will be charged a 10% delinquent fee. The second installment of property taxes are due February 1, 2013 and are delinquent after April 10, 2013. Continue reading→

OCTA Board Approves Mega Fare Increase 14-2

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 1 Comment

OCTA Board Approves Proposed Fare Increases

The OCTA board of directors approve the fare increase that will take effect February 2013

The OCTA board of directors approved a proposed bus fare increase after two months of community outreach and discussion about the measure to help address rising operation costs. The board approved the proposal as a way to ensure the agency’s eligibility for the state funds that primarily support its bus system. Continue reading→

Darrell Johnson named next CEO of the OCTA

Posted on by Posted in Darrell Johnson, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 5 Comments

Johnson Named Next CEO of OCTA

Darrell Johnson, a 20-year industry veteran, will take over the reins March 1

ORANGE – Darrell Johnson, the current deputy CEO of the Orange County Transportation Authority, was selected by the board of directors today to become the next chief executive officer effective March 1.

“Darrell has extensive experience in the transportation industry and an unparalleled understanding of OCTA’s vision,” said OCTA Chairman Paul Glaab, also the mayor of Laguna Niguel. “He has been instrumental in developing and implementing OCTA’s strategic goals and we are excited he will be stepping into this new role.” Continue reading→

Blame John Lewis for the Democrats picking up an Assembly supermajority

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, Cecilia Iglesias, Fullerton, Jose Moreno, Miguel Pulido, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Rob Richardson, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Tom Daly, Transportation 13 Comments

Former State Senator John Lewis has such a hold on the Republican Party of Orange County that he was able to force the withdrawal of Robert Hammond, their candidate for the 69th Assembly District, so as to pave the way for his Democratic pal Tom Daly. And Lewis also ran the failed campaign of Chris Norby, for the 65th Assembly District. With the loss of Norby’s seat, and the 69th, the California Republican Party ceded a supermajority in the State Assembly to the California Democratic Party.

But Lewis is not the only one to blame. OC GOP Chairman Scott Baugh (a political consultant) and OC Supervisor Janet Nguyen were personally involved in pulling Hammond out of the race for the 69th. And neither of them helped Jose “Joe” Moreno, the Anaheim Republican who, at the last minute, filed for the 69th rather than concede the victory to Daly. Moreno was however undone by allegations that he violated an obscure Federal law – the Hatch Act. Moreno, an employee of the O.C. Health Agency, was accused of this by labor, even though he is a longtime union member. Continue reading→

John Wayne Airport offers travel tips for the Thanksgiving Holiday

Posted on by Posted in Airplanes, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2012
Contact: Jenny Wedge, Office: (949) 252-5182, jwedge@ocair.com

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT OFFERS TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

SANTA ANA, Calif. – In anticipation of one of the most heavily traveled holiday periods, John Wayne Airport (JWA) offers travel tips to help passengers prepare for a safe and enjoyable holiday. Passengers traveling through JWA between Friday, November 16 and Monday, November 26 will experience higher-than-normal passenger traffic due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The busiest travel days are expected to be Wednesday, November 21 and Sunday, November 25. Continue reading→

O.C. freeways will be free of construction this Thanksgiving weekend

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 21, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper (714) 560-5697

Freeways Free Of Construction Thanksgiving Weekend

No closures anticipated on projects throughout the county

ORANGE – People headed to Thanksgiving feasts will enjoy a more relaxed commute as construction closures throughout the county will be postponed for the holiday weekend. Continue reading→

Can two Latinas in Santa Ana save the OC GOP from itself?

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Brett Franklin, Cecilia Iglesias, Charles Hart, Democratic Party, Latino Leaders, Latinos, Lupe Moreno, Myriam Tinajero, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 11 Comments

Now OC GOP Chairman Scott Baugh is singing a different tune – in the wake of the overwhelming defeat of the Republican Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, by President Barack Obama. I saw Baugh on Rick Reiff’s post-election TV show and he admitted that the GOP better figure out immigration. That is the message that both Iglesias and Onofre are now espousing as well.

Iglesias was victorious in her campaign for the SAUSD School Board. In fact she defeated two Democrats – Valerie Amezcua and Myriam Tinajero, who were supported by liberal SAUSD Trustee John Palacio and by the unions. Continue reading→

Who should replace Tom Daly as the O.C. Clerk-Recorder?

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Elections, Hugh Nguyen, Jose Solorio, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Tom Daly Leave a comment

Jordan Brandman has won a seat on the Anaheim City Council and now his colleagues on the Anaheim Union High School District’s Board of Education must decide whether to appoint someone to replace him or to hold a Special Election to fill his seat.

The last time the AUHSD School Board replaced a Trustee was this year when Trustee Jan Harp-Domene passed away suddenly earlier this year.  The Board replaced her with Annmarie Randle-Trejo who went on to win a permanent place on the AUHSD School Board in this year’s general election, according to Smart Voter. Continue reading→

OC Philanthropist to be honored with a musical tribute

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Entertainment, music, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OC Philanthropist to be Honored at National Philanthropy Day Orange County with a Musical Tribute

American Celebration Encore to be Performed in Joann Leatherby’s Honor – 11/15

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Jess Block – JessBlockPR@gmail.com – 909-706-8525 

GARDEN GROVE, CA—An encore performance featuring key song-and-dance numbers from Chapman University’s annual American Celebration will be performed as a musical tribute to Joann Leatherby of Silverado, who will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement award for her philanthropic impact upon the arts, education and disadvantaged children at this year’s National Philanthropy Day Orange County Awards Luncheon on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County. Continue reading→

How Latino candidates fared in the O.C. Nov. 6 general election

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, Angelica Amezcua, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, Democratic Party, Elections, Jose Hernandez, Jose Moreno, Jose Solorio, Latinos, Loretta Sanchez, Miguel Pulido, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Steve Chavez Lodge, Tom Daly 6 Comments

Two winners – U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez and Pres. Barack Obama

Fullerton residents are in shock today as they deal with the fact that Assemblyman Chris Norby now needs a job, having lost to Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva. She ran an aggressive campaign and made heavy use of social media. Norby, on the other hand, seemed to be trying to coast to victory.

While Quirk-Silva’s victory is a great one for Orange County’s Latino voters, I am saddened to see that the 69th Assembly District is now represented by Tom Daly. There is no way he will win re-election in two years, but for now we are stuck with him.

Here is a rundown of how the County’s other Latino candidates fared in the Nov. 6 general election: Continue reading→

Who will win in Santa Ana’s elections on Tuesday?

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Bond Measures, Brett Franklin, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Elections, Eric Alderete, Estela Amezcua, Jerry Hayden, Jose Solorio, Karina Onofre, Loretta Sanchez, Mark McLoughlin, Measure GG, Miguel Pulido, Myriam Tinajero, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Orange County, Politics, Rob Richardson, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Tony Tapia, Travis Allen, Troy Edgar, Valerie Amezcua, Vince Sarmiento 2 Comments

Santa Ana Mayoral challenger David Benavides wasn’t on the ballot two years ago, as he had no opponent for his City Council seat.  The last time he appeared on the ballot was six years ago, back when he still mentioned his wife and family on his fliers and websites.

So it was a daunting task for Benavides to ramp up his name I.D. this year in a few short weeks, having announced his mayoral campaign rather late in the game.

As such I think he is going to be toast on Tuesday, Nov. 6. But what about the other races? Who will win?  Comment here with your picks, including estimated vote percentages and whoever gets the closest will win a free banner ad on our blog for one month, for the business or non-profit of their choice.

Here are my predictions: Continue reading→

O.C. warehouse desperately needed for Christmas toy drive

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Orange County, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

News Release, For Immediate Release

Subject: Toy Warehouse Needed in Orange County

Contact: Brenda Emrick at (714) 327-7406 or Lynnette Round at (714) 290-7772

Irvine, CA – The holidays are right around the corner and Santa Claus needs help now! Santa, in this case, are Orange County firefighters who, in conjunction with the Orange County Toy Collaborative, are in desperate need of a warehouse they can use to store and distribute toys to needy children throughout the county for their annual “Spark of Love”holiday toy drive. Continue reading→

The Feds drop the hammer on marijuana storefronts in LA & OC

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Drugs, Health and Medical, Marijuana, Public Safety, Santa Ana 6 Comments

André Birotte Jr., United States Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney, Central District of California

For Immediate Release: October 25, 2012

Contact: Thom Mrozek, (213) 894-6947

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARREST 12 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN OPERATION OF NINE ILLEGAL MARIJUANA STOREFRONTS IN ORANGE AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES

SANTA ANA, California – A dozen people associated with a chain of nine marijuana stores that operated across Orange and Los Angeles counties were arrested this morning on federal drug trafficking charges. The 12 arrested are among 14 people named in a 14-count indictment returned last week by a federal grand jury. Continue reading→

Free flu shots today in Anaheim, Stanton and Westminster, at 11:30 am

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Health and Medical, Orange County, Stanton, Westminster Leave a comment

 

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2012

Contact: Nicole Stanfield nstanfield@ochca.com
HCA Health Policy & Communication
714-834-2178

Free Flu Shots on October 19

(Santa Ana) – Free seasonal flu shots for adults and children three years of age and older will be offered at five Orange County locations as part of a continuing series of emergency preparedness exercises. Vaccinations are provided on a first-come first-served basis on Friday, October 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at: Continue reading→