Editor

Orange County advisory regarding Moderna vaccine Lot 041L20A

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana, Calif. (January 18, 2021) – Based on directive from the State, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has suspended the use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine lot 041L20A due to possible allergic reactions under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the manufacturer. To date, the HCA has received zero notifications of allergic reactions requiring medical attention due to any Moderna vaccines.

According to the State vaccine registry, 5,217 individuals in Orange County received the Moderna vaccine lot 041L20A. To determine if you received the subject vaccine lot, please refer to your vaccination card. If you received a vaccine from this lot number and experience any adverse reactions or don’t feel well, please immediately contact your primary care provider/doctor.

The HCA and healthcare providers throughout the County continue to schedule appointments and distribute vaccines to those who qualify in Phase 1A, all tiers. There are currently more than 250,000 individuals registered in Othena. Based on their priority level, people will be notified by email or text to schedule their appointments when their turns come up to get the vaccines.

For questions related to COVID-19, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

This week’s Santa Ana real estate update

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Editor Posted in Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Redfin is reporting that the median price of a home in Santa Ana this week is $675,000. On average it takes 46 days to sell a home in Santa Ana.

Santa Ana, CA was a seller’s market last month, which means that there are more people looking to buy than there are homes available, according to Realtor.com.

Here are a few of the more interesting current listings of homes for sale in Santa Ana, courtesy of Redfin:

1226 W 2ND St., Santa Ana, CA 92703 – $599,999 – Two houses in 1. Lot located in the heart of Santa ana, near Santa Ana College. The front house has 3 bedrooms included 1 master bedroom and 2 full bathrooms which total 860 square feet. It features a nice open living space with newly remodeled entire house.
2103 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, CA 92706 – $875,000 – In the heart of Floral Park, this Historic English Tudor, known as the “Rowell House, ” is full of charm! Three bedrooms and two bathrooms and a pool.
250 E. Jeannette Lane, Santa Ana, CA 92705 – $549,000 – This Beautiful, barely lived in townhome is located in the desirable City Place community and is walking distance to local markets, dining and Main Place Mall, St. Joseph’s Hospital and easy access to the 5, 57 and 22. Two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
921 S. Diamond St., Santa Ana, CA 92704 – $590,777 – SINGLE FAMILY HOME 1,324 SQ. FT. SITTING ON A 6,200 SQ. FT. LOT: 4 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS, 2 CAR GARAGE, LAUNDRY HOOKUPS IN GARAGE, LIVING ROOM WITH FIREPLACE, KITCHEN WITH BREAKFAST AREA, COVERED PATIO UNPERMITTED BUT USED AS A DEN AND OFFICE.
711 W. 1st St., Unit E-204, Santa Ana, CA 92701 – $290,000 – Great opportunity for owner occupied buyer or investment in the Heart of Downtown Santa Ana. This 2 Bed 2 bath units is located on the 2nd floor and very accessible to all areas of the community.

For more interesting local listings click here.

If you are thinking of selling your home during this COVID-19 crisis here are a few tips from realtor Jason Isley of Seven Gables:

Produce high end video tours of your home – these are an essential marketing tool
Buyers must sign a COVID-19 form, pre-approval letter and proof of funds to close in order to enter any property
Booties and masks are mandatory during all showings and sanitizing practices are essential after all showings
Use targeted marketing ads on social media such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
Staging – The last step of selling your home is to stage your home properly and effectively with the buyer in mind. While staging your home, it is recommended to de-personalize the space so that potential buyers can envision their furniture in the area. It is also extremely important to thoroughly clean your home and to de-clutter the space being shown. Additionally, you have the option to patch and repair minor imperfections as to not distract from the overall appearance of your home. Adding splashes of light with open blinds and freshness of well-placed plants will also help to bring life to the home.

If you are a local realtor and would like to advertise to our readers let us know! We can place your ad here! Email us.

A Santa Ana man was fatally shot at a Garden Grove hotel

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, Guns, Hotels, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A 28-year-old man from Santa Ana died after being shot at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, located at 11999 Harbor Boulevard, in Garden Grove, early on Sunday morning, according to the Garden Grove Police Department.

Police officers responded to the hotel just before 4 a.m. after receiving calls about a gunshot victim.

The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was found with a single gunshot wound to his head.

Police believe the shooting occurred in a hotel lobby hallway located in the hotel’s west side.

The victim was still alive when the police officers found him. He was taken to a local hospital. He later died at that hospital as a result of his injuries.

The suspect is thought to be a Hispanic man between the ages of 20 and 25. The suspect was wearing dark clothing and he fled from the hotel on foot into a nearby parking lot.

The police did not clarify if a murder weapon was recovered nor did they disclose a motive for the shooting. The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective David Lopez with the Garden Grove Police Department at 714-741-5818.

The Garden Grove police are looking for an armed robbery suspect

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Garden Grove Leave a comment

On January 9, 2021, at 12:55 PM, a male entered the 76 Gas Station (13960 Harbor Blvd.) in Garden Grove. He was initially in the candy aisle; but then walked behind the counter and brandished a knife as he approached the employee. The suspect took several packs of cigarettes and demanded the cash register be opened.

The employee was able to obtain a large metal pole instead. The two confronted each other, however, no physical altercation ensured. The suspect ultimately ran out of the store and was last seen northbound Harbor Blvd, in a white Toyota Corolla.

SUSPECT: male, White or Hispanic, in his 30’s
CLOTHING: black leather-type jacket with a gray hood, gray shirt, black jeans, black and white tennis shoes, and black bandana over his face.
WEAPON: knife and a 3-cell flashlight
VEHICLE: white Toyota Corolla

Anyone with information on the incident, or this person’s identity and whereabouts, is asked to call Det. Franks at 714-741-5836.

A pedestrian was killed after being struck by two cars near the O.C. Juvenile Hall

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Crime, Orange, Tustin 1 Comment

A 29-year-old male pedestrian died after being struck by two vehicles on Friday, Jan. 15. At approximately 6:00 p.m., a pedestrian from Tustin was crossing The City Drive South outside of the crosswalk between Justice Center Way and Outlets Drive., near the O.C Juvenile Hall.

An Acura traveling south hit the pedestrian. A second unknown white vehicle struck the pedestrian and fled the scene. The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital and pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

The driver of the Acura remained on scene and drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor. The second white vehicle was last seen traveling south on The City Drive South.

OPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision. Southbound traffic on The City Drive South will be closed from Justice Center Way to Outlets Drive until midnight. Anyone with information can call the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.

Santa Ana’s Chick-Fil-A will feed health care heroes for free on Feb. 19

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Editor Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Restaurants, Santa Ana 1 Comment

We are going to have a drive-thru event on Friday, February 19th at our Chick-Fil-A store at 3601 S. Bristol & MacArthur, in Santa Ana from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. We are looking forward to give back to our heroes in health care, by providing them with a FREE MEAL on us. They will need to show their badge or ID in order to redeem their free meal.

Our reasoning behind this event is to care for those who serve our community day in and day out. We do not know the struggles they go through mentally, physically and even emotionally. Ultimately, we want to uplift our hero’s spirits and help them continue to keep persevering.

It is the least we can do for those in the front lines whom take care of us; A Free Meal on us, here at Chick-fil-A Bristol & MacArthur!

For more information on Chick-Fil-A Bristol & MacArthur:

Instagram: @cfa_santaana

Facebook: Chick Fil A Bristol & MacArthur

Congressman Correa has come down with COVID-19 after the Trumper invasion of the U.S. Capitol

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Editor Posted in Disease, Donald Trump, Federal Government, Lou Correa, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Congressman Lou Correa, who represents a district that includes most of the cities of Anaheim and Santa Ana, has posted on Facebook that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Correa did not elaborate as to how he caught the disease but he was at the U.S. Capitol when a horde of Trumpers invaded, most without masks on. Since their assault several members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19.

Correa was also accosted by more Trumpers, including some not wearing masks, at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, the day after the riot at the U.S. Capitol.

At least six members of Congress have tested positive since House members were forced to shelter together while hundreds of Trump supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. They include Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-NJ, Jake LaTurner, R-KS, Pramila Jayapal, D-WA, Rep. Adriano Espaillat D-NY and Brad Schneider, D-IL, according to Web-MD.

Capitol Police are also investigating allegations by Democratic members of Congress that Republican lawmakers gave tours of the Capitol to supporters of President Donald Trump a day before a pro-Trump mob rioted there, according to CNBC. There are allegations that the tours were intended to give a sneak peek to the eventual rioters of the Capitol’s layout.

Correa said he will shelter away from his family and miss the inauguration of incoming President Joe Biden.

Incidentally Correa had received the first dose of the Pfizer-Biotech COVID-19 vaccine before contracting COVID-19. That vaccine is about 52% effective after the first dose and that increases to about 95% after the second dose.

Costa Mesa’s Westend Cafe fights for the livelihood of their employees

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Editor Posted in Costa Mesa, Restaurants Leave a comment

Roland Barrera and Tyler Barber, co-owners of Costa Mesa-based restaurant Westend Cafe, continue the fight to keep their business open and their staff employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Westend employs a staff of 20 total and 5 of them already became homeless under the first emergency lockdown order. Barrera/Barber, like many restaurant owners, aren’t sure what will happen tomorrow. Their greatest concern is the responsibility to keep food on the table for their staff and families. Barrera said, “This is what keeps me up at night. If I don’t fight for my employees, who will?”

As new local and state restrictions are updated, Westend has always been largely compliant with COVID-19 safety protocol. Mandatory temperature checks, consistent hand washing, and mask wearing. “Security and back of house staff always wear masks. We are supportive of social distancing but it’s very difficult to consistently police our customers. We recommend safety measures but it’s not our right to force them to do something they don’t want to do. I’m just so grateful they are supporting us during this very difficult time.” says Barrera.

After four of their employees became homeless due to COVID-19 stay-at-home-orders, the co-owners felt responsible. “We promised we would fight for them to keep their jobs and eventually one day, help them get their own place again. It breaks my heart to see them now struggle to find another couch to sleep on,” continued Barrera.

Westend Cafe has been recently charged with illegally operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty percent of their business is created from 5pm-9:30pm and sixty percent is created from 9:30 p.m. to close. Westend’s age demographic is 26-40, which has seen the highest increase in suicide since COVID-19 started. Barrera added, “I felt compelled to offer a late night food menu to a community that is struggling mentally like the rest of the country. I kept our outdoor dining service open past 10pm and many customers have thanked us for this nighttime “escape.” That’s where our business excelled and I could continue to keep all my our employees on payroll, offer more hours and give them the opportunity to make about sixty percent more in tips,” Barrera added.

Before the case against Westend, the Orange County DA’s office said it has declined to file charges in nearly two dozen cases against business owners accused of illegal operations during the pandemic. Barrera feels like he is being targeted. “Dozens of California businesses are not following the stricter policies as well as Governor Newsom not adhering to his own”, he stated.

Said Barrera, “We’re just trying to keep our our business open, give our staff a paycheck so they can take care of their families and do our best to follow local and state regulations. We have 30 children counting on our employees to feed them. It is their cause that I am fighting for.”

Westend has retained Orange County-based attorney Julie Swain. The employees have also established a Westend GoFundMe page to help pay for legal fees and to support employees’ families. The GoFundMe can be found on their website westendcm.com or link can be found here: https://gofund.me/e0fa0932

They’re open for to-go orders every Friday and Saturday 5pm-10pm.

SCAG says enough housing is being built in Santa Ana

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Editor Posted in Affordable Housing, Housing, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Today the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) ruled in favor of the City of Santa Ana’s housing need allocation, a decision that is a victory for the development of fair housing throughout Orange County.

SCAG’s Regional Housing Need Assessment (RHNA) process determines how much housing should be built within each city from October 2021 through October 2029 to address local and regional needs. The City of Santa Ana, which is one of the few in California that has met and exceeded its existing RHNA allocation in all income categories, is required to identify land zoned to accommodate an additional 3,087 housing units.

Four Orange County cities – Garden Grove, Irvine, Yorba Linda, and Newport Beach – appealed that allocation, saying that Santa Ana should be required to build more housing. The SCAG RHNA Appeals Board voted unanimously to deny all four appeals.

“Santa Ana will continue to do the right thing by building much-needed affordable housing and supporting access to a variety of residential options and for people of all income levels,” Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento said. “However, today’s decision signals that Santa Ana cannot solve the housing crisis alone, and that every Orange County city must do its part.”

By this action, the RHNA Appeals Board affirmed that Santa Ana’s Draft RNHA number was consistent with SCAG RHNA methodology approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and statutory housing objectives. This methodology includes the inclusion of the disadvantaged communities (DAC) process, whereby housing units are reallocated from cities such as Santa Ana that are designated as “disadvantaged communities” to cities with high-opportunity areas. This helps meet the goal of affirmatively furthering fair housing by increasing access to high-opportunity areas.

COVID-19 video update from Sarmiento and Penaloza

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Disease, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento and Mayor Pro Tem David Penaloza have shared a video message about COVID-19.

For more information on City of Santa Ana COVID-19 resources and news, please visit https://www.santa-ana.org/covid19.

To sign up to be notified by the OC Health Care Agency about when a vaccination appointment is available at the County’s sites, go to https://www.othena.com/. More information about the County’s vaccine distribution is at https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/.

Actualización de Video Sobre COVID-19

Alcalde Vicente Sarmiento and Vice Alcalde David Penaloza compartieron un mensaje de video sobre COVID-19.

Para más información sobre recursos y noticias para COVID-19 de la Ciudad de Santa Ana, por favor visite https://www.santa-ana.org/covid19.

Para inscribirse para ser notificado por la agencia de salud pública del Condado sobre cuando está disponible una cita en los sitios de vacuna del Condado, visite https://www.othena.com/. Más información sobre la distribución de la vacuna del Condado está en https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/.

The O.C. Supervisors approve funding for seven affordable housing developments

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Editor Posted in Affordable Housing, Andrew Do, Housing, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. (January 15, 2021) – This past Tuesday at the Orange County (OC) Board of Supervisors meeting, the OC Board of Supervisors approved the funding of seven housing developments in six local jurisdictions totaling close to $11 million to produce 437 units of supportive and affordable housing throughout Orange County.

“Orange County has a desperate need for more affordable housing,” said Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. “With the Board’s approval this week, Orange County is 437 units closer to our goal of developing 2,700 units of affordable housing by 2025. I am committed to continuing to spearhead the County’s efforts to build more supportive and affordable units while simultaneously pursuing all avenues to end homelessness in our communities.”

In response to the homelessness crisis and shortage of supportive and affordable housing in Orange County, the OC Board of Supervisors approved the Housing Funding Strategy (Strategy) in June 2018. The Strategy outlined specific actions needed to achieve a goal of developing 2,700 supportive housing units in Orange County by June 30, 2025. Since that meeting, the County of Orange and many partner cities within Orange County mutually created a joint powers authority known as the OC Housing Finance Trust (Trust) and engaged the support of OC’s state delegation to work towards the goal. To date, the County has a total of 358 supportive and affordable housing units completed or built, over 750 units under construction or closing their construction loan, and almost 900 units in progress of funding which contributes to the Trust’s overall accomplishment of supporting and tracking the development of 2,343 supportive and affordable housing units.

“It is critically important that we provide affordable and supportive housing to help those who are homeless and prevent others from becoming homeless. All of our residents deserve a stable place to live and a chance to be successful,” said Vice Chair Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor.

The following are names and cities of the seven housing developments approved:

Center of Hope, Anaheim
Huntington Beach Senior Housing, Huntington Beach
Cartwright Family Apartments, Irvine
Orange Corporate Yard, Orange
Villa St. Joseph, Orange
Santa Angelina Senior Community, Placentia
Westview House, Santa Ana

“It is an honor to be a part of the County effort to provide dignified, stable housing for those at-risk or experiencing homelessness,” said Supervisor Donald Wagner, Third District. “The additional support services will help alleviate stress for residents who are struggling to stay afloat, giving them a much-needed hand up to get their lives back in order.”

“The County is committed to sustainable wrap-around solutions that deliver support services alongside housing to residents in need,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “Those at-risk of or experiencing homelessness will have the chance to secure a safe and dependable place to live through these affordable developments.”

Chairman Andrew Do and Vice Chair Doug Chaffee serve as members of the OC Housing Finance Trust, representing the Orange County Board of Supervisors. For more information and to track the progress of the Housing Funding Strategy developments, visit the OC Housing Finance Trust’s website at https://ochft.org/.

The OCTA’s ‘Be The One’ campaign helps to combat human trafficking

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, OCTA, Orange, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is stepping up its ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking this month, fully wrapping a bus with the message to join O.C. in fighting this form of modern-day slavery through the “Be The One” campaign.

The OCTA campaign, which encourages riders and the public to “Be The One to Help Out,” coincides with January as Human Trafficking Month.
“Human trafficking is a problem nationwide. Sadly, it harms some of our most vulnerable people right here in Orange County,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “I’m proud of OCTA’s efforts to bring public awareness to the problem and to train employees to get help for victims.”

The addition of a fully wrapped bus means that two 40-foot buses will travel across Orange County wrapped in the Be The One (BT1) campaign ad, and buses throughout the county display interior cards with the National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 3737-888.

In addition to information on the outside and inside OC Buses, OCTA’s effort also includes training all coach operators on how to spot and report potential human-trafficking crimes and to get help for potential victims.
Research has consistently indicated that California reflects the highest numbers of human trafficking victims in the United States – largely because the anti-trafficking field in California, including law enforcement, victim services, and the public, has been working together for years to better understand the issue and identify victims. There are also strong outreach efforts to potential victims so they know how to access help. The BT1 campaign is an example of that effort.

In 2019, more than 1,500 cases were reported statewide. And according to the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force’s 2019 Victim Report, the task force identified more than 400 human trafficking victims over a two-year period just in Orange County.

Experts on the issue report the problem of human trafficking has only gotten worse during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline jumping by more than 40 percent between September 2019 and September 2020.

“The continued partnership between the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) and OCTA is especially essential right now. Even in the midst of stay-at-home orders and a national health crisis threatening the livelihoods of all people, the crime of human trafficking has not stopped,” said Ronnetta Johnson, executive director of Waymakers, which is the administrator for the OCHTTF. “OCTA’s efforts to expand riders’ awareness of the horrors of Human Trafficking through the Be The One campaign help enable the Task Force to better identify, investigate, prosecute and provide crucial services to victims and survivors.”

OCTA’s efforts to train coach operators and spread the message on OC Buses date back to 2014, when OCTA launched its first Be The One campaign with grant funding from the Transportation Security Administration.
In addition to the bus wrap, OCTA will help spread the anti-human-trafficking message through paid social media ads and on its website.
For more information, visit: www.octa.net/helpout.

About OCTA: The Orange County Transportation Authority is the county transportation planning commission, responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for a balanced and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail, environmental programs and active transportation.

The OC Fair’s Imaginology goes virtual April 19-25, youth competitions now open for entries

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in Education, OC Fair, Science, Youth Activities Leave a comment

COSTA MESA (Jan. 14, 2021) – This year, Imaginology will be virtual – all the S.T.E.A.M. fun will be at the fingertips of students, parents and teachers from April 19-25.

Still free and open to all, Imaginology is bringing science, engineering, arts and math to students of all ages with lots of activities and hands-on learning.

Imaginology student competitions are now open for entries. Categories include collage, cosplay, digital art, drawing, painting, photography, poetry and 3D creations. The deadline to enter is March 19. Divisions range from pre-K to grades 9-12 and include an any-age special needs category.

Each year thousands of students submit their projects to be judged by professionals as they vie for Blue (Excellent), Red (Wonderful) and White (Great) awards. There is no limit to the number of awards given in a division and every project will receive an e-ribbon. Out of these awards, Division Winners will be selected as well.

This year all competitions are virtual and students will submit photos of their projects.

More information on Imaginology, competitions and an entry link here. The Deadline to enter is March 19, 2021, 6 p.m.

“Although we will miss having students, teachers and parents here at the fairgrounds for a whole lot of hands-on learning, we know this year we have to find other creative ways to connect everyone with S.T.E.A.M.,” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Michele Richards. “Imaginology remains a favorite community give-back for us and we are looking forward to introducing new ways to educate and entertain students this spring.”

Imaginology involves OC Fair & Event Center’s educational venues, Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall, and staff members are working hard to create virtual fun to help students learn about animals, plants and the physical world.

Activities for students include a scavenger hunt, educational games, videos and more. There will be an e-sports component featuring Esports College & Career Pathways hosting tournaments, expert panels and giveaways. OC Fair & Event Center is also partnering with OC Marathon to create a unique fun run experience special to Imaginology. A full schedule of activities, events and exhibits will be announced in March.

OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is home to the annual OC Fair. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. Throughout the year events ranging from recreation shows to cultural festivals are held at the fairgrounds. For more information, visit ocfair.com.

Support of OC Fair & Event Center provides year-round educational opportunities and helps fund community give-back programs.

First District Supervisor Andrew Do elected as the new OCTA Chairman

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in Andrew Do, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

Orange County First District Supervisor Andrew Do was unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors, which is responsible for planning, funding, and delivering transportation-improvement projects and public transit for all of Orange County.

Chairman Do served as the OCTA board’s Vice Chairman for the last year. He replaces outgoing Chairman Steve Jones, the Garden Grove mayor, who remains on the board.

“It is an honor to be selected by my colleagues to lead OCTA’s Board of Directors this year,” said Chairman Do. “I look forward to working with them and the public to provide a balanced, sustainable, and innovative transportation system to keep Orange County moving. Considering the challenges of the past year, I recognize how essential public transit and improvement projects are to ensuring our communities are safe, healthy, and financially sound.”

He began serving on the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2015, representing the residents of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Midway City. That same year he also began serving on the OCTA Board. He has represented OCTA at the Metrolink Board of Directors since 2018.

Born in Vietnam, Chairman Do fled to the U.S. with his family after the Fall of Saigon and grew up in Garden Grove. After attending the University of California at Davis for his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and received his Juris Doctor. He taught for three years as an Adjunct Professor at Cal State University, Fullerton and served as a Judge Pro Tem at Orange County West Municipal Court.

After several years providing legal representation to poor and indigent defendants, Chairman Do worked as an Orange County Deputy District Attorney. He has also given back to his community by serving as a Garden Grove City Councilman, the President of the Asian Bar of California, and an elected member of the Orange County Bar Association’s Board of Directors.

Elected by the board to serve as Vice Chairman was Director Mark A. Murphy, also the mayor of Orange. Murphy has served on OCTA since 2017. Murphy has served as chair of OCTA’s Regional Planning and Highways Committee, as a member of the Executive Committee and SR-91 Advisory Committee.

Sworn in today as new members to the OCTA Board were Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento and Mission Viejo Mayor Brian Goodell.

Sarmiento serves as president of the Orange County Water District Board of Directors and was sworn in as Santa Ana mayor in December 2020.

Goodell is a two-time Olympic swimming champion and was elected to Mission Viejo City Council in 2016 and won re-election in 2020.

The OCTA board is comprised of 18 members, including the five county supervisors, two members from city councils in each of the five supervisorial districts, two public members and the Caltrans District Director serves in a non-voting ex-officio capacity.

The OCDA reduced or dismissed charges in 67 cases due to OC Sheriff’s Department shenanigans

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Don Barnes, OC Sheriff, OCDA, Santa Ana, Todd Spitzer Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has completed its review of the Sheriff’s Evidence Booking Audit.

In mid-November 2019, District Attorney Todd Spitzer became aware of the extent of evidence booking issues within the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and the existence of department-wide internal audits. District Attorney Spitzer had not been made aware of the extent of these audits previously and only became aware of the matter on November 15, 2019 when he was informed about it from a local newspaper reporter. Although OCSD believes the OCDA should have known, the OCDA questions why the Sheriff’s Department made it so difficult to understand the extent of the issues with evidence booking.

Upon learning of the full extent of the audits, District Attorney Spitzer immediately requested additional information from the Sheriff’s Department about potentially impacted criminal cases to ensure that the District Attorney’s Office was able to “identify any and all cases handled by the OCDA where a defendant’s due process rights may have been negatively impacted by having evidence collected but not booked.”

District Attorney Spitzer also directed two senior prosecutors to oversee the office’s response. Because of the deficiencies in the Sheriff’s audit, District Attorney Spitzer ordered a hand-search of all cases resulting in a conviction over a three-year period – from March 2015 to March 2018 – to determine if there were cases where evidence was collected but not booked.

A total of 22,289 cases were reviewed by a joint team of OCSD and DA investigators
3,639 notifications made to defense attorneys in potentially impacted cases (both active and closed cases)
Charges were reduced or dismissed in 67 cases
Two former OCSD deputies have been convicted of a misdemeanor and a third former deputy is awaiting trial on a felony charge of filing a false police report
All DNA profiles related to potentially impacted cases identified in the Sheriff’s Department evidence booking audit will be expunged from the OCDA DNA database

The OCDA reports on the Sheriff’s Department Evidence Booking Issues can be found here.

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