New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Santa Ana

Santa Ana’s police officers have lost confidence in Chief Carlos Rojas

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Carlos Rojas, Civic Affairs, Public Safety, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Santa Ana’s police officers have had enough of their Police Chief, Carlos Rojas. They requested a vote of no confidence during the Oct. 8 meeting of the city’s police officers association, according to the Voice of OC.

Rojas claims to not know why his police officers are upset – which underscores how out of touch he is.

One of the big reasons the local police officers are unhappy is the chronic understaffing at the SAPD. The Voice of OC also reports that the officers “are also upset over what they call overzealous attempts at holding them accountable for misconduct.” Continue reading→

The Santa Ana Library is holding a logo contest

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: CONTEST: SANTA ANA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS LOOKING FOR A LOGO / DISEÑE UN LOGO PARA LA BIBLIOTECA PUBLICA

The Santa Ana Public Library is seeking a unique logo design that will be the library’s new image. In hopes of making the process a community effort, the Library has launched a contest for all residents to submit their logo designs.

We are looking for a design that depicts the Library’s commitment to the City of Santa Ana and its people. The logo will serve to promote the library. It will be a recognizable symbol of the library and a presence in the community.

Contestants should consider the Santa Ana Public Library’s mission in literacy, diversity, community, technology, information, youth, our history, and future. Continue reading→

More Santa Ana city executives suspected of having sex with their subordinates

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alvaro Nunez, Civic Affairs, David Cavazos, Doug McGeachy, Santa Ana 9 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Douglas McGeachy

Investigations of Santa Ana Deputy Police Chief Doug McGeachy and code enforcement head Alvaro Nunez recently began after other employees alleged that they were dating subordinates in the police and code enforcement departments, according to the Voice of OC.

This alleged behavior should not come as a surprise given that Santa Ana’s overpaid City Manager, David Cavazos, has been dating an employee in his Planning Department (we know who she is but won’t publish her name as that might invite litigation). Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana to host economic development strategic plan forums

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: City of Santa Ana to Host Economic Development Strategic Plan Forums

The City of Santa Ana will be hosting three community forums in November to garner feedback on a new Economic Development Strategic Plan. Local residents and businesses are invited to share their thoughts on the City’s plan for economic development and to learn about how economic development affects jobs, public safety, roads, business growth, educational opportunities and shopping choices.

The firm helping to create the Economic Development Plan, RSG, will be presenting data gathered on different metrics such as employment, education, real estate lease/sales rates, property turnover and business performance during the forums. RSG will field questions, ask questions and invite feedback. Additionally, there will be interactive stations at the events for input, and a survey that can be taken onsite or online. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for a man who robbed a 7-11 and an AM/PM mini mart

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Request Media and Publics Assistance Identifying Suspect Wanted in Two Robberies

Synopsis: On 10/29/15 at approximately 3:48 am the photographed suspect entered the 7-11 store located at 1203 South Standard, (a block from Kennedy Elementary School), simulated a weapon (possible firearm) at the victim and demanded money in English.

At approximately 6:12 am the same suspect entered the AM/PM Mini Mart located at 1222 East First Street, (near Raymond A. Villa Fundamental Intermediate School) again simulated a weapon and demanded money. The suspect fled on foot. Continue reading→

Man found bleeding from a neck wound near Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana 3 Comments

An unidentified man in his 30s was found walking while bleeding from a wound in the neck today at 2:55 p.m., at the 200 block of North Grand Ave., in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

SAPD police officers found the man after they received a call about him. The victim was taken to the Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, where he underwent surgery. The man is expected to survive. Continue reading→

Woman convicted of stealing a car and driving to Santa Ana to pander another woman

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Graphic Courtesy of Grand Theft Auto

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF2404

Date: October 28, 2015

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMAN CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FOR STEALING VEHICLE AND DRIVING WITH ANOTHER WOMAN TO ORANGE COUNTY AND CONSPIRING TO PANDER HER

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Northern California woman was convicted and sentenced today for stealing a vehicle, driving to Orange County, and conspiring to pander another woman. Courtney Charell Amos, 26, Pittsburg, pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit pandering, one felony count of unlawful taking of a vehicle, one misdemeanor count of false evidence of documents, devices, or plates, one felony count of receiving stolen property, and one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license. She was sentenced to one year in jail and four years in prison stayed pending completion of five years formal probation. Continue reading→

Juvie corrections officer from Santa Ana sentenced for rubbing urine on kids’ shoes

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CM01476

Date: October 28, 2015

FORMER DEPUTY JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER SENTENCED FOR RUBBING MINORS’ SHOES IN URINE WHILE ON DUTY

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former deputy juvenile correctional officer was sentenced today for child abuse by rubbing the shoes of three minors in urine while the minors were in her care. Tamie Marie Bieker, 38, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of child abuse. Bieker was sentenced to four years of informal probation, 30 days of voluntary community service, must complete a one year child abuse program, and was ordered to pay restitution.

At the time of the crimes, Bieker was a deputy juvenile correctional officer at the Juvenile Hall in Orange. The defendant has now formally resigned from her position with the Orange County Probation Department (OCPD).

On July 21, 2014, after 14-year-old John Doe 1 urinated in his room, Bieker rubbed the victim’s shoes in the urine. Continue reading→

Santa Ana launches a youth drought poster contest, with El Nino on the way

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Santa Ana, Water, Weather, Youth Activities Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: Santa Ana Launches “Every Drop Count: Let’s Not Waste It” Youth Poster Contest

The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce its Water Conservation Poster Contest, an educational project open to all Santa Ana youth ages 5-18. Using the theme “Every Drop Counts: Let’s Not Waste It,” the contest is designed to inspire creativity while reinforce water conservation.

“The ‘Every Drop Counts’ theme is particularly timely and important for our youth to remember considering our current drought conditions,” says Councilmember Roman Reyna and Board Member of the Orange County Water District. “This contest offers parents and their children the opportunity to work together on a creative project while explore ways to cut back water use in their daily lives,” he adds. Continue reading→

Timberland and Robert Wayne Footwear help restore the Heritage Museum Children’s Garden

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Historical, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Robert Wayne Footwear and Timberland Assist to Restore Heritage Museum of Orange County’s Children’s Garden

Heritage Museum was proud to host a volunteer day with Robert Wayne Footwear and Timberland complete with fruitful gains for their children garden

SANTA ANA, CALIF. – Robert Wayne Footwear and Timberland partnered up with the Heritage Museum of Orange County to restore and rebuild the museum’s children garden. The local organization and many of their employees dedicated several hours of their day to rebuild the garden and purchased vital items to help maintain the garden physically and aesthetically. Robert Wayne Footwear and Timberland efforts included beautification as they purchased plants for the garden and other parts of the natural area of the museum. In addition, they provided the museum with tools to create and raise beds in the farms as well.

The Children Garden is a part of the museum’s natural area which also includes two farms and a swamp. The purpose of the children’s garden often called a “Sensory Garden” by student visitors from Mitchel Development Center is to help develop and mature their sensory skills. Many students at this center are autistic and the garden plays a vital role in enhancing their skills. When the garden is not use for this purpose, school age youth in Pre-K and Kindergarten plant seeds in one of our many educational programs called Change of Seasons. Continue reading→

Elderly Santa Ana man in critical condition after being struck by a van in Costa Mesa

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Garden Grove, Santa Ana Leave a comment

An unidentified 81-year-old Santa Ana man was struck on Friday morning at 6:17 a.m., while crossing the right-hand northbound lane of Fairview Road, 50 yards south of Baker Street, in Costa Mesa, causing two lanes to be closed during the investigation, according to the O.C. Register.

The elderly victim was walking eastbound when Bao Hoai Duong, 52 of Garden Grove, who was driving a 2002 Dodge van northbound on Fairview Road, struck him. Continue reading→

Santa Ana ranked almost last in Orange County in new jobs study

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, california, Economy, Jobs, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Six years ago California’s unemployment rate peaked at 12.2 percent. It is now done to a more reasonable 6.1%. California has created more than 1.5 million non-farm jobs since our last financial crisis, a growth driven primarily by the technology sector and other high-wage industries. But how is Santa Ana doing?

To help California residents and inbound migrants find the best cities for employment, WalletHub analysts compared 250 cities in the state across 16 key metrics to determine the best and worst California cities in which to find a new job.

Here are some of the key findings of the new WalletHub jobs study with regards to cities in Orange County (note that you will have to scroll down quite a bit to find how Santa Ana ranked): Continue reading→

Man crashes his SUV into the historic Rankin building in DTSA

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Igmar Rodas, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Photo courtesy of Igmar Rodas

An SUV crashed into the Rankin Building at 4th and Sycamore in DTSA today just before 11:30 a.m., according to local community activist Igmar Rodas, who sent us a few pictures of the accident.

Apparently the driver, a Hispanic male, was moving foward into a parking space and he somehow jumped the curb and drove into the building. Continue reading→

OC Film Fiesta screens Bolivian sensation “Olvidados” this Saturday at The Frida Cinema

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Latinos, Movies, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: OC Film Fiesta Screens Bolivian Sensation “OLVIDADOS” this Saturday at The Frida Cinema

Bolivian Consul Marco Antonio Valverde Carrasco was at the Santa Ana City Council meeting last night to invite the public to join Bolivian stars Carla Ortiz and Bernardo Peña in person for a special OC Film Fiesta fundraiser screening of OLVIDADOS (FORGOTTEN), Bolivia’s official entry to the Oscars, this Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Frida Cinema, located at 305 E. 4th St. on Santa Ana’s historic Calle Cuatro. This special OC Premiere screening will be the film’s only showing in Orange County! This special screening will be preceded by a 6pm VIP reception and followed by a special Q&A by Bolivian star Carla Ortiz and Bernardo Peña.

Multi Ariel Award-winner Mexican filmmaker Carlos Bolado (Tlatelolco; Colosio: The Assassination) directs an international cast featuring Carla Ortiz (Los Andes No Creen en Dios), Damian Alcazar (El Infierno), Rafael Ferro (Guapas), Bernardo Peña (Cielito Lindo) and Tomás Fonzi (Botineras) in this important film about the CIA-backed Operation Condor, which resulted in the abduction, torture and execution of countless men and women in Latin America in the 1970s. OLVIDADOS has won four Maya Awards and was Bolivia’s Official Entry to the Foreign Language Film category for the 87th Academy Awards. Continue reading→

Santa Ana doubles down on bike lanes with $11.5 M in new state funding

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Bicycles, california, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana 1 Comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: Santa Ana to Receive $11.5 Million in Active Transportation Funding for Safe Bikeways

Santa Ana will receive more than $11.5 million in state active transportation funds to help build three major bikeway projects, a major step forward in the city’s efforts to improve bicycle safety. Protected bicycle lanes at Santa Ana Boulevard and 5th Street ($5.4 million) and on Endinger Avenue ($2.37 million), as well as the Civic Center Bike Boulevard ($3.7 million), are among 34 active transportation projects in Southern California that were approved for funding today by the California Transportation Commission.

The 34 projects, totaling $83.9 million over the next three years, represents nearly half of the $180 million in funding approved statewide.“This isn’t about building bike lanes. It’s all about safety,” said Michele Martinez, a Santa Ana Council Member and First Vice President of SCAG. “I’ve experienced myself the challenges that bike riders have – riding on sidewalks and sometimes against traffic. It’s how more and more people get to work and it’s unsafe. These three projects will go a long way toward establishing Santa Ana not as a ‘bike city,’ but as the region’s premier ‘bike-safe city.’” Continue reading→