Editor

Supervisor Do is hosting a Drive Thru Trick or Treat event on Oct. 31

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Editor Posted in Andrew Do, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Like many events this year, Halloween and Día de los Muertos are looking a little different.

To provide residents a safe way to celebrate Halloween, Supervisor Andrew Do is hosting a contactless drive-thru trick-or-treat event at Mile Square Park on October 31st!

“With the holiday season coming, it can be discouraging not being able to interact with friends and family as much,” said Supervisor Andrew Do. “That is why I’m excited to host a drive-thru trick-or-treat event where families can safely drive-by, pop open their trunk, and receive a Halloween bag full of goodies for their children to take home.”

The Halloween bags will include face masks, hand sanitizers, Día de los Muertos kid masks, coloring pages, and other kid-friendly activities and goodies donated by OC Health Care Agency, OC Waste and Recycling, OC Vector Control, CalOptima, OCTA, Metrolink, and others. There will be treats for the entire family!

Access to the Event

Families can access the drive-thru only trick-or-treat event by turning into Mile Square Park at Mt. Whitney Street off Euclid Street and following the posted signs. This portion of Mile Square Park will be adorned with Halloween and Día de los Muertos decorations!

Safety First

To ensure the safety of everyone, families are asked to stay in their cars at all times as volunteers place the Halloween goodie bags in the trunk of their cars for each child.

Dress up and post a photo on social media with #OCDriveThruTrickorTreat!

In the spirit of Halloween and Día de los Muertos, volunteers will be dressed up while wearing a face mask. Families are also encouraged to dress up and even decorate their vehicles as they drive-in through the park.

Posting a photo on social media with the hashtag #OCDriveThruTrickorTreat is a great way to show your spirit with your neighbors.

Whether you arrive as a superhero, a princess, or your favorite cartoon character, the First District team looks forward to seeing your creative costumes!

Orange County’s Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat

Event Date: Saturday, October 31, 2020

Time: 5pm to 7pm

Location: Mile Square Park

Address: 16801 Euclid St, Fountain Valley

Entrance: Please use the entrance located at Edinger and Mt. Whitney St.

Admission: Free!

For more information call the First District office at (714) 834-3110 or email Joyce.Rivero@ocgov.com.

Anaheim caretaker arrested for the rape of a severely disabled patient

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Cochino Alert, Crime, Disabled Leave a comment

ANAHEIM, Calif. (October 19, 2020) – Anaheim Police Department Sexual Assault Detectives have arrested a caretaker for the rape of a severely disabled female patient.

40-year-old Anaheim resident, Raul Salgadocastro was arrested on suspicion of committing the rape against a 45-year-old female under his care.

A cell phone, believed to once belong to Salgadocastro was discovered to contain a video of the suspected assault.

The victim has been a patient under Salgadocastro’s care for nearly 20 years. The patient is described as non-communicative.

The rape is suspected to have occurred at a live-in care facility located in Anaheim.

Due to victim confidentiality, the location will not be publicly disclosed by detectives.

Salgadocastro works as a caretaker for several locations in Orange County. Anyone with information on Salgadocastro’s activity is urged to call Anaheim Police Detective J. Carney at 714-765-1697.

The Garden Grove police are looking for a commercial burglary suspect

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

On Monday, October 5, 2020, Garden Grove Police Department officers responded to the Mobil Mart at 12422 Valley View St. regarding a burglary that had just occurred.

The suspect was able to break into the closed business, then leave in an unknown direction.

PERSON OF INTEREST: male, Asian or Hispanic, 20-25 years old, 160-175 lbs, tattoos on both arms.

Anyone with information on the incident, or this person’s identity and whereabouts, is asked to call Detective Holloway at 714-741-5827.

Santa Ana felon facing gun charges after a 90-minute car chase

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Federal Government, Guns, Santa Ana 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, California – A multi-convicted felon who led law enforcement on a 90-minute car chase throughout Orange County earlier this week has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Andres Alexander Rivero, 41, of Santa Ana, who was on probation in a state court case and previously served time in federal prison, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed Tuesday. He will make his first appearance in federal court this afternoon.

On Monday afternoon, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Orange County Violent Crime Task Force (OCVCTF) was conducting surveillance when they observed a white Chevy van circling in a residential area. Law enforcement determined the van was stolen and attempted a traffic stop at the intersection of Midway Drive and Dickel Street in Anaheim.

The driver, Rivero, failed to stop. He instead started driving erratically at dangerously high speeds to evade law enforcement. Rivero led authorities on a pursuit through Orange County at times traveling on the 22 Freeway and the 405 Highway.

According to the affidavit filed with the complaint, at one point a .40-caliber pistol was thrown from the van, and the passenger jumped out of the vehicle. The ATF OCVCTF immediately recovered the firearm. The passenger was detained and later released.

After Rivero exited the freeway, he drove on surface streets throughout Costa Mesa and into Garden Grove. Rivero stopped the van near the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Garden Grove Boulevard in Garden Grove. Rivero exited the van and was taken into custody without further incident.

Rivero was previously convicted of criminal threats with intent to terrorize in November 2006; felon in possession of a firearm in January 2007; felon in possession of a firearm in January 2011; possession of a controlled substance and possession of a concealed dagger in April 2014; felon in possession of a firearm and bringing a controlled substance into prison in September 2016; and unlawfully taking a vehicle along with identity theft in May 2020.

The ATF OCVCTF is comprised of special agents from ATF, and detectives from Brea Police Department and Fullerton Police Department. The task force successfully investigates and identifies suspects responsible for violent crimes throughout Orange County.

This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Lichtman of the Santa Ana Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office.

A transient was arrested for killing a man in Orange

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana 5 Comments

On October 15, 2020, at approximately ‪10:27 a.m.‬, the Orange Police Department received a call of a male adult on the ground at the southeast corner of Tustin Street and Chapman Avenue.

Members of the Orange Fire Department arrived and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. Witnesses reported the victim was involved in an altercation with another male adult.

Responding officers located the suspect ‪at 11:16 a.m.‬ in the area of Tustin Street and Rock Creek Drive. The suspect has been identified as 33-year-old Mario Anthony De La Torre, a transient from Orange.

De La Torre was booked at Orange County Jail for murder. The cause of death is still under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call Det. Short at ‪714-744-7313

This week’s Cochino List includes Costa Azul and Pizza Hut

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Editor Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The O.C. 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 Oct. 8 to Oct. 16. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

Costa Azul, 2401 S. Fairview St., Santa Ana, Closed: Oct. 13, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Carnation Ice Cream Land, 1148 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, Closed: Oct. 13, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Oct. 15
Pizza Hut, 2541 S. Fairview St., Santa Ana, Closed: Oct. 8, Reason: Plumbing in disrepair, Reopened: Oct. 8
Kitchen at Tustin Care Center, 1051 Bryan Ave., Tustin, Closed: Oct. 9, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 9
Chong Qing Restaurant, 5406 Walnut Ave., Suite C, Irvine, Closed: Oct. 13, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 16
Update: Hoi Ngo at 13187 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, which was ordered closed Oct. 6 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Oct. 8.
Update: Auntie Anne’s at Westminster Mall, 2004 Westminster Mall, Westminster, which was ordered closed Oct. 1 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Oct. 6.
Happy Dragon, 516 N. Euclid St., Anaheim, Closed: Oct. 15, Reason: Cockroach infestation
IHOP, 131 N. Kraemer Blvd., Placentia, Closed: Oct. 15, Reason: Rodent infestation
Market at CVS Pharmacy, 2521 Eastbluff Drive., Newport Beach, Closed: Oct. 14, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Oct. 16
98c Jumbo Dollar, 410 W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, Closed: Oct. 13, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Oct. 14
Griffins Grill, 11272 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos, Closed: Oct. 13, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 14,
Warner’s Corner Liquor, 539 S. Euclid St., La Habra, Closed: Oct. 13, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Oct. 14
Market at Cypress Car Spa, 6000 Cerritos Ave., Cypress, Closed: Oct. 13
Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Oct. 14,
Kitchen at Huntington Harbour Yacht Club, 3821 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, Closed: Oct. 8, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 9
Update: Damasq Cafe at 3601 E. Coast Highway, Suite B, Newport Beach, which was ordered closed Oct. 7 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Oct. 9.

Mayoral candidate Mark Lopez’ candidate statement

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Editor Posted in 2020 Elections, Elections, Mark I. Lopez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Mark Lopez could not afford to buy a candidate’s statement so he asked us to post it here. Those statements can cost over two thousand dollars. If you are running for office in Santa Ana and could not afford to buy a statement send it to us and we will post it here.

Born at the old Santa Ana hospital on Washington Street. Son of ‘Eddie and Isabel Lopez, longtime Santa Ana residents who worked hard to instill pride in self, and traditional family values. Mark Lopez went to St. Anne’s catholic school, and Mater Dei high school. Pop Warner football, Southeast Little League; and junior league basketball at the old YMCA were part of his childhood experience. He served his country for over 25 years in the US Army and US Coast Guard. He is now committed to serving Santa Ana.

Lopez is running to inspire residents to be engaged in civic action. Unity of effort is one of the main ideas he wants to promote. He promises that if elected he will put the residents of Santa Ana first and foremost and not be passive in decision making due to concerns of re-election, or political career image.

Task and Benchmarks to undertake:

Propose to change city charter to make full time the mayor, and city council position.
Solve the huge disconnect between the Santa Ana Police Department and the residents of our city with a white paper study of contracting out our police force.
Promote the major revitalization project going on our downtown 4th Street. This could be a major windfall financially to boost up our local economy, jobs and tax revenue.
“America Cannot Be Strong Without Secure and Prosperous Cities.” This is what Lopez wants for Santa Ana.

PRIDE POISE COURAGE —MARK FOR MAYOR

Tango1mikemike@aol.com. Cell 714-371-3505.

The SAPD seized four more guns and arrested the suspects for felony violations

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Guns, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

The SAPD has been heavily touting their ongoing effort to seize guns form criminals in our community. In their latest Tweet they noted that four more guns were seized including a ridiculous pink gun.

The SAPD is calling this ongoing effort the “Operation Impact Street Violence”

All the suspects involved in this latest case were arrested for felony violations.

For these to be felony violations the suspects had to have been on parole or probation or the guns were not properly registered.

The SAPD did not identify the suspects. We wish they would…

Free groceries and COVID testing on Oct. 17 at Calvary Chapel

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Charities, Churches and Religion, Civic Affairs, Food, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Power of One Foundation (POOF), in partnership with the City of Santa Ana, is offering free drive-through food distribution on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at Calvary Chapel in Santa Ana.

The City of Santa Ana also will be providing free COVID-19 testing at the location. No insurance is required and you don’t need to have COVID-19 symptoms to get a test.

Where: Calvary Chapel, 3800 S. Fairview St., Santa Ana
When: Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon); the line begins off Fairview Street beginning at 7 a.m.

Please stay in your car with the windows rolled up when receiving food. Make sure your vehicle trunk is empty so food can be placed in it.

For more information on POOF food events, visit www.powerofonefoundation.org.

Learn more about free testing and financial assistance for Santa Ana residents at www.santa-ana.org/CARES.

Comida Gratis, Pruebas de COVID el 17 de Octubre en Calvary Chapel

Power of One Foundation (POOF), en colaboración con la Ciudad de Santa Ana, está ofreciendo distribución gratuita de alimentos en carro el sábado 17 de octubre de 2020 en Calvary Chapel en Santa Ana.

La Ciudad de Santa Ana también va a proporcionar pruebas de COVID-19 gratis en el sitio. No se requiere seguro y no es necesario tener síntomas de COVID-19 para hacer la prueba.

Donde: Calvary Chapel, 3800 S. Fairview St., Santa Ana.
Cuando: 17 de octubre, de las 8 a.m. a las 12 p.m. (mediodía); la línea comienza en Fairview Street a partir de las 7 a.m.

Por favor, quédese en su automóvil con las ventanas cerradas cuando reciba alimentos. Asegúrese de que la cajuela de su vehículo esté vacío para que se puedan colocar alimentos adentro.

Para más información sobre los eventos de comida de POOF, visite www.powerofonefoundation.org.

Aprenda más sobre las pruebas gratis y asistencia financiera para los residentes de Santa Ana en www.santa-ana.org/CARES.

Diverse array of drugs and guns seized by police in Westminster

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Drugs, Guns, Westminster Leave a comment

Anaheim Police Department investigators recently conducted an investigation that lead to a search warrant being served in Westminster, according to their Facebook page.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of cocaine, heroin and psilocybin (cop-talk for “magic mushrooms”) that was packaged for street level sales.

The Anaheim police detectives also seized a large variety of weapons and what they suspect to be illegal obtained cash.

Man arrested for stealing from cars in Tustin

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Tustin Leave a comment

Around 6:00 AM on Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, the Tustin Police Department received calls from alert residents who noticed a suspicious subject walking from house to house.

When officers contacted this subject, he was standing on a front porch, in the process of going through a victim’s mailbox on Kalua, near Charloma Dr.

During the detention, officers identified 28-year-old John Campbell. During a probation search, Campbell was found in possession of stolen property from two different thefts from vehicles. These thefts occurred in the neighborhoods near Red Hill Ave. and Bryan Ave., including street like Lance Dr., Bryan Ave., First St., and Kalua Ln.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Campbell was arrested and booked at Orange County Jail for theft and possession of stolen property.

If you believe you were a victim or have camera footage matching Campbell’s appearance as depicted in this post, specifically the black and white still images taken at the time of the crime, please telephone the Tustin PD Dispatch Center at 714-573-3225. Officer Alfonso is handling the investigation.

Santa Ana commercial burglary suspect arrested in Tustin

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD, Tustin Leave a comment

A commercial burglary suspect who accessed the storage yard of the Saf-T-Co Supply Inc. warehouse, located at 1300 E. Normandy Place, in Santa Ana, and stole several tools with an estimated value of approximately $1,400.00, is now under arrest courtesy of the Tustin Police Department.

The suspect, who has not been identified by name, was arrested in Tustin on a different criminal charge unrelated to the Santa Ana case..

Anyone with additional information on the suspect is asked to please contact Detective Garcia at (714) 245-8732 or JGarcia@santa-ana.org.

Suspect arrested for DUI after a five car collision in Costa Mesa

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Costa Mesa, Crime, Drugs Leave a comment

Several of our Facebook readers asked on October 14 if we knew what had happened on Baker St. and the 405 Freeway. It turns out there was an awful DUI accident at Baker St. and Bear St., just before noon that day, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

The accident involved five cars. The driver of a minivan rear-ended four other vehicles stopped at a red light.

Costa Mesa Police Officers found used syringes in the minivan, as pictured above.

The driver was arrested for felony DUI causing injury to other motorists.

Two victims were transported to a nearby hospital for complaints of pain and two other victims had minor injuries not requiring transport.

The Santa Ana City Council and Mayoral candidates the police union wants you to vote for

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Editor Posted in 2020 Elections, Elections, Politics, Santa Ana, SAPOA 1 Comment

Santa Ana residents are already filling out their ballots and voting in the current 2020 City Council and Mayoral election. One question often posed to us is which candidates are getting support from the Santa Ana Police Officers Association?

While most of us support law enforcement the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (SAPOA) is a union and their only interest is in packing the City Council with their handpicked candidates. That is how they got their huge raise and how they hope to keep raking in more pay and benefits.

The City of Santa Ana’s budget is already overwhelmingly committed to the police department so it is a terrible idea to elect Council Members who will serve SAPOA, not the people of Santa Ana.

In Ward 5 SAPOA has recruited Vic Mendez, a car salesman. He has no record of doing much in our city but will reliably do whatever SAPOA wants him to do.

Our pick in Ward 5 is the incumbent, Juan Villegas. He was one of two City Council Members who voted against the massive SAPD pay raise, but as a longtime member of law enforcement we know he is a crime fighter. He just doesn’t like to waste taxpayer money and we appreciate that. He has our full endorsement. Bonus – Villegas opened Santa Ana’s first Family Justice Center, for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. He has a big heart and we need to keep him on the City Council!

In Ward 1 it appears that SAPOA is running with Thai Viet Phan, who is featured in the Santa Ana Republic website which is run by a guy named Emiliano Kotler. He claims that his website has no connection to SAPOA. However his website does not list any of the contributors or owners and their URL is privately registered. Thus any connection to SAPOA cannot be verified.

Our pick in Ward 1 is Cynthia Contreras. She is an Orange County Probation Coordinator and a mom. We feel Contreras will be an independent City Council Member, which is what Santa Ana needs.

In Ward 3 SAPOA is backing Mark McLoughlin, who has been Mayor Miguel Pulido’s top sidekick in north Santa Ana over the past 20 years.

Our pick in Ward 3 is attorney and neighborhood leader Jeffrey Katz. Katz has spent years working on the local homeless problem. He is the most likely to actually have good ideas on what is perhaps the biggest issue facing our city.

For Mayor SAPOA is mostly invested in Jose Solorio but they also like Claudia Alvarez.

We have been fans of Mayoral candidate Ceci Iglesias for years because she always opposes wasting taxpayer money and she stands up against Special Interests. She opposed the huge SAPOA pay raise and in return they recalled her. Well now she will get the last laugh as she is currently leading in the Mayor’s race and we expect her to win.

Whatever you do please vote! But remember your vote matters and you should not waste it on candidates who will serve only SAPOA, not you.

Missing Santa Ana woman’s body found in a car in Buena Vista Lake

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana 2 Comments

A human leg was found on the shore of Buena Vista Lake back on July 28, 2018.

Many residents asked the County to drain the reservoir when the leg originally washed ashore. Instead, the car and body remained in the lake until July 12 of this year, when it was pulled out with a body inside, according to Bakersfield Tuff.

The body has finally been identified as Shirley Mae Cassel, a Santa Ana resident who was last heard from on 08/21/2017 at 7:00 a.m. It is believed that she left in her white 2005 4-door Nissan with California license 6GLV341. She was never seen again – until now.

Boaters and recreational users had no idea all this time as they enjoyed themselves at Buena Vista Lake that there was a car and a body in the lake.

The Lighting in a Bottle Festival also attracted thousands of people from all to the area and quite a few of them had a great time at Buena Vista Lake.

Cassel’s family unfortunately had to wait many years to find out what happened to their missing relative.