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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: Orange County

O.C. Supervisors appoint Frank Ospino to be the County Public Defender

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Lawyers, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 2012
Contact: Howard Sutter, 714.834.6203 office, Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com

New Public Defender Appointed by the Board of Supervisors

(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors has appointed Frank Ospino to serve as the County’s Public Defender. His appointment to the positionwas effective January 27, 2012.Ospino has served the County as Interim Public Defender since August of 2011. Hehas held the progressive positions of Deputy Public Defender, Senior Deputy PublicDefender, Assistant Public Defender, and Senior Assistant Public Defender over the course of his 24-year career with the department. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted of breaking, entering and masturbating

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Garden Grove, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 5 Comments

MAN CONVICTED OF BREAKING INTO HOME AND MASTURBATING IN FRONT OF GRANDMOTHER AND TWO YOUNG GRANDDAUGHTERS

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of breaking into the home of a grandmother and her two grandchildren, masturbating in front of the three victims. Ozro Robert Lee, 46, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count each of first degree residential burglary of an inhabited dwelling, indecent exposure after unlawful entry, and two felony counts of child annoyance after trespass, and a sentencing enhancement allegation for non-accomplice present during a residential burglary was found true. He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison at his sentencing April 6, 2012, at 8:30 a.m.in Department C-37, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 8:00 p.m. on April 15, 2011, Lee broke into a Garden Grove home by prying at the front door using a screw driver or tool. Two little girls, ages 6 and 8 years old, were inside the home with their 59-year-old grandmother, Jane Doe. Continue reading→

O.C.D.A. gang prevention program will give away Chivas USA soccer tickets

Posted on by Posted in Gangs, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities 1 Comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: February 9, 2012

1,200 STUDENTS SCORE CHANCE TO EARN CHIVAS USA SOCCER TICKETS IN KICKOFF OF GANG PREVENTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM

*800 students were surprised at school assemblies today; 400 others were hand-picked from 38 schools

ORANGE COUNTY – Chivas USA will sponsor more than 1,200 elementary and middle school students with an incentive to earn free tickets to a Chivas USA game in an ongoing effort to keep kids in school and out of gangs.

Chivas USA has teamed up with Orange County law enforcement in the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP), which aims to prevent juveniles from being victims of or participants in gang crimes by identifying at-risk youth, increasing school attendance, and decreasing gang activity. Continue reading→

B-17 Flying Fortress “Fuddy Duddy” to fly at the Lyon Air Museum on 2/11

Posted on by Posted in Airplanes, Entertainment, Historical, Military, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

UPDATE: This flight has been canceled due to mechanical problems, according to the Lyon Air Museum’s Facebook page.

LYON AIR MUSEUM B-17 FLYING FORTRESS ‘FUDDY DUDDY’ IN ‘HISTORY TAKES FLIGHT’ EVENT FEB. 11

Iconic WW II Long-Range Heavy Bomber Aircraft at John Wayne Airport

SANTA ANA, Calif., January 23, 2012—World War II comes to life on Sat., Feb. 11 at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport when the biggest, most powerful bird in Lyon Air Museum’s collection – the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Fuddy Duddy” – roars into the air as part of the Museum’s “History Takes Flight” program.

“Our ‘History Takes Flight’ events enable us to share with the public some of the amazing aircraft made famous during the titanic global struggle for freedom that was World War II,” said Mark Foster, president of Lyon Air Museum, a premier Southern California showcase for vintage WWII era aircraft and automobiles. Continue reading→

O.C.D.A. to file additional murder charges against former Marine Ocampo

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Military, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Office will file two additional counts of murder Monday against a former Marine for the stabbing-murder of a mother and her son in Yorba Linda. The defendant is also charged with murdering four homeless men in a serial thrill-kill spree. Itzcoatl Ocampo, 23, Yorba Linda, is charged with six felony counts of murder with special circumstances for multiple murders and lying in wait and sentencing enhancements for personal use of a deadly weapon, a knife, during the commission of a crime. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. The special circumstances in this case make Ocampo eligible for the death penalty, and the District Attorney will make this determination at a later date. Ocampo is being held without bail and will be arraigned on the new charges Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Moorlach wants to house the homeless in the old Santa Ana bus station

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Seniors, Transportation, Working Families 8 Comments

New Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach has challenged “officials from the city of Santa Ana over his plans to use a defunct bus station in the midst of Santa Ana’s downtown to feed, and potentially house, homeless people,” according to the Voice of OC.

Our County government has done a poor job of serving the homeless.  They freeze at night for lack of beds and four of them were killed in recent weeks by a serial killer.  But hasn’t the City of Santa Ana been impacted enough by this? Continue reading→

John Wayne Airport announces 22nd student art contest winners

Posted on by Posted in Airplanes, Arts and Culture, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2012

Contact: Jenny Wedge, (949) 252-5182 (office), jwedge@ocair.com

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 22ND ANNUAL STUDENT ART CONTEST

SANTA ANA, Calif. – John Wayne Airport has announced the winners of its 22nd Annual Student Art Contest themed “Silent Flight.” Jasmyne Kon and Alexander Kang received top honors as Grand Prize winners in this year’s contest.

Winning art work illustrated the artist’s vision of “Silent Flight.” Continue reading→

OC Labor Fed leaves behind moderation as they line up behind Julio Perez

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, Democratic Party, Elections, Jose Solorio, Labor, Latinos, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Committed to raising taxes – union hack Julio Perez, Assembly Speaker John Perez and labor boss Teferi Gebre

Moderation isn’t working anymore for Orange County’s labor leaders, according to the Voice of OC.  When has this far-left bunch ever been moderate?  It is true however that this year they have seemingly lost their minds – lining up behind union consultant Julio Perez for the 69th Assembly District, behind the crazed rantings of labor boss Teferi Gebre, who describes his political views, on Facebook, as “very liberal.”  LOL!  Gebre lives in Carlsbad – a city with an $85K median income.  How 1% of him!

Backing Perez is such a bad idea that both Assemblyman Jose Solorio and State Senator Lou Correa, as well as DPOC Chairman Frank Barbaro, have had to remind local Democrats that the 69th is a moderate district.  Of course when the Democrats hold their meetings at a union hall, you can’t expect much in the way of moderation.  And so Perez is now bragging that he won a strong majority of support from Democratic Party Delegates during a Pre-Primary Endorsement Conference held this weekend.  Of course he did!  Would you expect much else from these liberal nuts? Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez congratulates three OC students honored with Fulbright grants

Posted on by Posted in Education, irvine, Loretta Sanchez, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 47th Congressional District
PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT: Adrienne Watson 202-309-0825

SANCHEZ CONGRATULATES THREE OC STUDENTS HONORED WITH FULBRIGHT GRANTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today congratulated three local students who were selected to receive the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Award. Leslie Chanthaphasouk of Santa Ana, Dan Burk of Irvine and Marcella Khelif of Irvine have been selected to be Fulbright Scholars for their academic excellence in each of their chosen fields of study. Ms. Chanthaphasouk received an English Teaching Assistantship in Laos, Mr. Burk received a grant to study law in Germany and Mrs. Khelif received a grant to study political science in Korea. Continue reading→

Surf City USA® Marathon sells out; field size capped at 20K

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Huntington Beach, Orange County, Sports Leave a comment

SURF CITY USA® MARATHON RECORDS EARLIEST-EVER SELLOUT; FIELD SIZE CAPPED AT 20,000 TO PRESERVE THE RUNNING EXPERIENCE

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Race organizers today announced that the Surf City USA® Marathon and Half Marathon races are sold out for the seventh consecutive year. The largest combined oceanfront marathon and half marathon event in California, Surf City showcases 20,000 participants and 50,000 spectators from all 50 states and 18 foreign countries on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, 2012. A record 100,000 attendees are anticipated to attend the two-day Active Lifestyle Beach Expo. Information is available at www.runsurfcity.com. Continue reading→

Terminal B security screening lanes closed for construction as of 1/18

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2012

Contact: Jenny Wedge, (949) 252-5182 (office), jwedge@ocair.com

TERMINAL B PASSENGER SECURITY SCREENING LANES CLOSE FOR CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The passenger security checkpoint in John Wayne Airport’s Terminal B will be closed beginning Wednesday, January 18 for approximately two weeks. During this time, passengers departing John Wayne Airport should plan ahead giving themselves extra time to get through screening and find their gate. Continue reading→

Itzcoatl Ocampo charges and O.C. District Attorney’s remarks

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Contacts: Laura Eimiller, Spokesperson, FBI, LA Office, Office:310-996-3343
Susan Schroeder, Chief of Staff, OCDA, 714-347-8408, Cell:714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, OCDA, 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 17, 2012

OCDA FILES MULTIPLE MURDER CHARGES AGAINST FORMER MARINEFOR SERIAL THRILL-KILL SPREE OF FOUR HOMELESS MEN IN ONE MONTH

*Defendant was apprehended after mass multi-agency manhunt

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Office has filed charges against a former Marine for murdering four homeless men in a serial thrill-kill spree. Itzcoatl Ocampo, 23, Yorba Linda, is charged with four felony counts of murderwith special circumstances for multiple murders and lying in wait and sentencing enhancements for personal use of a deadlyweapon, a knife, during commission of a crime. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without thepossibility of parole. The special circumstances in this case make Ocampo eligible for the death penalty, and the DistrictAttorney will make this determination at a later date as is customary. Ocampo is being held without bail and is expected to bearraigned tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Walmart not planning to fill the Food for Less vacancy in NE Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Business, Development, Planning, Santa Ana 14 Comments

Walmart is opening two new stores in Orange County, in Irvine and in Huntington Beach, according to the O.C. Register.  Walmart also recently opened a new superstore in Anaheim.  But there is no truth to the rumor that they are planning to open a store at the vacancy created when Food for Less closed their store in northeast Santa Ana, on Grand and 17th, according to Karen Haluza, a Planning Manager at the City of Santa Ana.

Haluza confirmed via email that there are in fact no current applications to fill that vacancy. Continue reading→

Press conference regarding alleged homeless killer, Itzcoatl Ocampo, on 1/17

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, homeless, Lawyers, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: January 16, 2012
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

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TONY RACKAUCKAS: MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO: Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas, and representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Anaheim Police Department, Placentia Police Department, and Brea/Yorba Linda Police Department.

Continue reading→

Volunteer opportunities in Orange County, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Churches and Religion, Orange County, Santa Ana, Volunteer Leave a comment

“On Monday we honor the life and work of a great man, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said U.S. Rep. Sanchez in a press release issued yesterday. “Most importantly we reflect on the ideals of equality and justice which Dr. King championed. Dr. King believed that all people are created equal and he challenged our nation to ensure justice under law for everyone, regardless of the color of their skin. He asked Americans to bridge barriers and work together to help each other succeed.

“Let us honor Dr. King by working to strengthen our communities. Dr. King was a significant champion for volunteering and giving back to our communities, therefore I urge you to join me in honoring his legacy by helping your neighbors and those less fortunate. Through our actions, the work of Dr. King lives on.”

Now in its 13th year, community members can make their “day off” a “day on” with a Day of Service. Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through meaningful service. This year OneOC  will partner with local agencies to offer volunteer opportunities that address critical community issues. There is no better time to get involved and make a difference!

Continue reading→