Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Editor

Homeless man arrested for setting fires in Santiago Creek

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fires, OCFA, Orange, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Gustavo Garcia

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SANTA ANA PD AND OCFA ARREST ARSON SUSPECT FOR ALLEGEDLY SETTING INTENTIONAL FIRES ALONG SANTIAGO CREEK

ARRESTED: Gustavo Garcia (26) Homeless

CHARGES: PC 451(c) & (d) Arson – Felony

At a Public Safety Committee Meeting on July 10, 2018 residents of neighborhoods adjacent to Jack Fisher Park creekbed expressed concern regarding ongoing, reported fires in the area. Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) detectives working with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) investigators were already monitoring these reported incidents to establish if there was an ongoing series. Following the meeting, SAPD and OCFA formulated an immediate action plan that included, 24/7 monitoring of the area by police personnel along with fire investigators. SAPD and OCFA also worked collaboratively with the Orange Police and Fire Departments, as two fire incidents were reported in their city and possibly related to this series. According to reports from OCFA, there were four fires that appeared to have been intentionally set in the Jack Fisher Park and Santiago Creek area on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Continue reading→

Free concert and classic car and chopper show set for July 22 at Fairhaven Memorial Park

Posted on by Posted in Cars, Entertainment, music, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Fairhaven Memorial Park’s Concert and Classic Car & Chopper Show

Join Fairhaven Memorial Park for its annual Concert and Classic Car & Chopper show featuring the LA-based rockabilly group, James Intveld and the Honky Tonk Palominos.

Bring your blanket and picnic basket for this free family event. Attendees are also invited to bring their vintage car or motorcycle for a chance to win a “Fan Favorite” trophy. Continue reading→

A body was found in a burning car early this morning in a Santa Ana neighborhood

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fires, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

An OCFA fire crew and SAPD police officers found a body inside a burning car parked on a driveway of a Santa Ana home at the 900 block of South Hickory Street at about 7:30 a.m. this Friday morning, July 13, according to the O.C. Register.

The firemen extinguished the car, which was burning in the driveway of a home. While firefighters were in the process of putting out the fire, they found a body inside the vehicle, according to ABC News. Continue reading→

Repeat DUI driver gets 5 years in prison after multi-car accident in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Garret James McKinnon after a DUI accident

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: REPEAT DUI OFFENSES RESULT IN NUMEROUS INJURIES AND RESULT IN SEVERAL FELONY CHARGES

SAPD REMINDS YOU TO #DONTDRINKANDDRIVE

On July 25, 2013 Arrestee Garret James McKinnon was involved in a vehicle pursuit with our officers before he collided with three other vehicles causing his vehicle to overturn near Garfield and Brown Streets.

The collision resulted in six people being injured including himself. As a result of this collision and his conviction for 2800.3 VC, Evading a Peace Officer and 23152(a) VC Driving Under The Influence, McKinnon’s license was revoked and he was sentenced to 5 years in state prison. Continue reading→

El Salvador Park is hosting free Summer Night Lights activities for youth and families through August 10

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: Summer Night Lights Now Open Evenings for Youth & Families /El Programa Summer Night Lights Para Jóvenes y Familias

SANTA ANA – The City of Santa Ana in partnership with Neutral Ground welcomes community members to participate in the Summer Night Lights program. The Summer Night Lights Program is a pilot program designed to provide recreational activities for youth and families during the summer season at El Salvador Park.

The program keeps the community center’s recreational outdoor space at El Salvador Park open and programmed with activities on an extended schedule from 7:00 pm-10 pm each Thursday and Friday beginning July 12th through August 10th, 2018. Continue reading→

Felon facing slew of new charges after an alleged carjacking spree that began in Santa Ana

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

Esteban Sandoval Jr., 37, a felon, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a four-hour carjacking spree that began in Santa Ana and ended in Orange, where he allegedly stole an SUV containing a developmentally disabled woman who was hurt while trying to get away from the suspect, according to the O.C. Register.

Sandoval Jr. is facing four counts of carjacking and one count of kidnapping, with sentencing enhancement allegations for a prior conviction for attempted robbery at an ATM last July, in which he was sentenced to a year in jail. Continue reading→

Five men were convicted in June of trying to hook up with prostitutes in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana 2 Comments

July 11, 2018

FIVE MEN CONVICTED IN JUNE OF LOITERING WITH INTENT TO COMMIT PROSTITUTION OR AGREEING TO ENGAGE IN PROSTITUTION

*Conviction details of sex purchasers are featured on the OCDA website

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) convicted five men in June 2018 of loitering with the intent to commit prostitution or agreeing to engage in prostitution. The defendants in each these cases approached a woman whom they believed to be a prostitute, or loitered in areas known for prostitution and human trafficking in Orange County. All of the defendants below agreed to engage, or loitered with the intent to engage, in commercial sex with a woman and were subsequently arrested by law enforcement. The OCDA website has been updated with the details of these convictions from last month. Continue reading→

Garden Grove man gets 10 years in prison for molesting two children

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA Leave a comment

Victor Norman Ealey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 17WF1120

Date: July 11, 2018

MAN CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING CHILDREN UNDER 14

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in state prison yesterday for sexually assaulting two victims under the age of 14.

Defendant: Victor Norman Ealey, 57, Garden Grove

Pleaded guilty yesterday to the following felony counts: Continue reading→

One arrested after a multiple car crash in Santa Ana this morning

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

A man was arrested after a series of crashes that ended with four people injured and a scuffle with police early Wednesday, July 11., according to the O.C. Register.

The crash happened at W. First and N. Fairview streets at about 4 a.m. and involved three vehicles and a bicyclist, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

Free child abuse prevention workshop set for July 11 at the Santa Ana Library

Posted on by Posted in Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: Mother of Samantha Runnion Advocates against Child Abuse at Prevention Workshop/Taller de Prevención de Abuso Infantil

The Santa Ana Public Library proudly presents an adult education workshop for preventing child abuse and abduction. The program will be presented by Erin D. Runnion, founder and director of The Joyful Child Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of child sexual abuse and abduction.

In Memory of Samantha Runnion, this nonprofit organization is dedicated to preventing crimes against children through programs that educate, empower, and unite families and communities. Samantha was kidnapped and murdered in 2002. Erin is dedicated to ensuring Samantha’s tragic death continues to be a catalyst to engage adults in our collective responsibility in protecting our nation’s children. Continue reading→

The West Nile virus has been detected in Orange County for the first time this year

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

Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District

For Immediate Release: Monday, July 9, 2018

First Indication of West Nile Virus Activity in Orange County for 2018

Garden Grove, CA. The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) has confirmed the first mosquito sample to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in 2018. The mosquitoes were collected from the city of Garden Grove, near Garden Grove Blvd. and Newhope St. on July 3, 2018.

“Although we are hoping that this is going to be a mild season for West Nile virus, it is still critical that residents take the necessary precautions to avoid mosquitoes and mosquito bites.” said Robert Cummings, OCMVCD’s Director of Scientific Technical Services. Continue reading→

An armed man was shot and killed by SAPD police officers after a police pursuit

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD, Westminster Leave a comment

A man fleeing from police on Sunday night, July 9, crashed his vehicle twice and ended up in Westminster where he was fatally shot by officers when he took out a gun, according to the O.C. Register.

The police pursuit began at about 10 p.m. on Sunday night, when SAPD police officers attempted to stop the suspect for a traffic violation and he threw a gun out the window and sped off westbound on 1st and Newhope streets in Santa Ana, according to ABC News. Continue reading→

This week’s Cochino List includes Tacos Veloz, Pacific Market and Disneyland

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, OC Health Care, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Rodent problem at a Disneyland Lemonade Cart

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of June 29 to July 6, 2018. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

  • El Taco Veloz, 1730 E. 17th St., Suite H, Santa Ana, Closed: July 2, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Pacific Market, 511 N. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, Closed: June 29, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Update: Hacienda Arzate at 1502 E. First St., Santa Ana, closed June 25 for operating without a valid health permit, reopened June 29.
  • Lemonade cart at Disneyland, 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: June 29, Reason: Rodent infestation

Continue reading→

The City of Santa Ana has opened nine public cooling centers

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Weather Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: HIGH HEAT ADVISORY: SANTA ANA COOLING CENTERS AVAILABLE

Temperatures in Santa Ana may reach high temperatures above 100 degrees in the upcoming days, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to heat. Continue reading→

Thugs attacked SAPD police officers with bottle rockets during the latest 4th of July Purge

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fires, OCFA, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD 3 Comments

SAPD police officers responding to a report of a teen boy who had been injured by fireworks on the 4th of July were attacked by a group of thugs with bottle rockets late Wednesday night in Santa Ana, according to CBS News.

SAPD police officers responded to the scene which was an apartment building at the 700 block of South Lyon Street at about 11 p.m. when they were called to assist OCFA firefighters on a call regarding a 17-year-old boy who had been hurt when an explosive device blew up in his hand, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→