Editor

O.C. man charged with additional hate crime for violating the civil rights of a Japanese-American Olympian in a verbal attack

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Hate, Japanese, OCDA Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 26-year-old man is facing an additional hate crime charge in connection with an anti-Asian verbal attack on a Japanese-American Olympian in a park in Orange. The same man is already facing multiple hate crime charges for punching an elderly Asian couple in the face while they took a walk in the same park.

Michael Orlando Vivona, 26, of Orange, was charged today with one misdemeanor count of violation of civil rights for verbally harassing an Asian woman as she talked on the phone in Grijalva Park in Orange on April 1, 2021. Vivona is accused of aggressively yelling at the woman, threatening her, and spitting in her direction.

Seventeen days later, on Sunday, April 18, 2021, around 7:40 p.m. a 78- and 79-year-old Korean couple were taking their nightly walk at Grijalva Park in Orange when Vivona is accused of running up to them and punching the husband in the face, causing him to fall. As the couple attempted to find help, Vivona is accused of punching the wife in the head, causing her to fall.

Bystanders intervened and Vivona was arrested by the Orange Police Department. Vivona later made statements to police disparaging Asians.

Vivona was charged in April with two felony counts of elder abuse, two felony counts of battery – hate crime causing injury, and two felony hate crime enhancements. He now faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison and one year in the Orange County Jail if convicted on all counts. Vivona is currently being held at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange on $65,000 bail.

“Anti-Asian hate incidents in Orange County are up 1800% over last year because of a national backlash against Asians during the pandemic. I will not tolerate and will punish all criminal haters. At every turn, I have encouraged more people to come forward to report hate crimes. Finally, they can have confidence that Orange County law enforcement and prosecutors are properly trained and will investigate and prosecute haters to the fullest extent of the law,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, one of Orange County’s outspoken leaders against hate. “If you witness a hate crime or you are the victim of a hate crime, report it to law enforcement. The Orange County District Attorney’s Hate Crime Unit will prosecute it when we can meet our legal standards for prosecution.”

Deputy District Attorney David McMurrin of the Hate Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.

Former O.C. Sheriff’s Deputy charged with stealing a dead woman’s credit cards to try to binge buy auto parts

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy indicted by a grand jury on multiple felonies for breaking into the home of a deceased man to steal guns and other items is facing new charges for stealing credit cards of a woman whom the deputy also found dead in her Yorba Linda home. He is accused of attempting to use the stolen credit cards to make purchases from an automotive parts store and QVC network and have some of the purchases delivered to his own home.

On July 20, 2020, Steve Hortz, 42, of San Dimas, responded along with two other Sheriff’s Department employees to a home on Via Angelina Drive in Yorba Linda to conduct a welfare check. The homeowner was found deceased of what was later determined to be natural causes.

The 12-year veteran was captured on home surveillance video returning to the deceased man’s home several times, including once while on duty and wearing his Sheriff’s uniform, to steal more than $27,000 in guns and other items from the home.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department initiated an investigation after the probate attorney handling the deceased homeowner’s estate reported that a law enforcement officer may have stolen items from the home.

Hortz was arrested on September 10, 2020 by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and resigned in lieu of termination effective September 30, 2020.

Hortz was indicted in December 2020 on three felony counts of second-degree burglary and two felony counts of grand theft of a firearm in connection with breaking into the deceased man’s Yorba Linda home.

On August 19, 2020, before Hortz had been identified as the suspect in the other thefts, Hortz was called to a Yorba Linda home of a deceased woman. He is accused of taking three credit cards from the home and attempting to use the cards to make thousands of dollars of unauthorized online purchases and have them sent in some cases to his own home address. The majority of the charges were declined.

Today, Hortz was charged with one felony count of identity theft, one felony count of grand theft embezzlement, and four felony counts of attempted grand theft. He faces a maximum sentence of four years and four months in state prison if convicted of all those charges.

“This individual was called to assist grieving families in a time of need and instead he betrayed their trust,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “This behavior is unworthy of someone who wears the badge and thankfully as a result of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigation, he is no longer in a position where he can use his uniform and badge to victimize the very people he was sworn to protect.”

Deputy District Attorney Avery Harrison of Special Prosecutions is prosecuting this case.

Metrolink Rail night maintenance work set for Sep. 27 – 29, 2021

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Editor Posted in Metrolink, Santa Ana, Traffic, Transportation Leave a comment

Starting Monday, September 27th through Wednesday, September 29, 2021, Metrolink will be performing maintenance work on the railroad track system in Santa Ana between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Even within Quiet Zones, this work could lead to:

• Possible Train Horns
• Noise
• Light from maintenance vehicles or activities

No delays at the railroad crossings or for passenger train service are anticipated.

Questions and concerns may be directed to Metrolink’s Community Relations hotline at (213) 452-0433 or to communityrelations@scrra.net.

Trabajos de mantenimiento de rieles de Metrolink, del 27 al 29 de Septiembre

Translations:

Español

Tiếng Việt

Chapman University sexual assault suspect turned in to police by a family member

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Cochino Alert, Crime, Orange Leave a comment

Last night, after the photo of the suspect was released to the public, the suspect was brought to Chapman University to surrender by a family member and Chapman University notified the Orange Police Department.

The suspect is not a student and has no connection to Chapman University.

Dalante Jerome Bell, 22, of Anaheim was arrested and later booked at Orange County Jail for Assault with Intent to Commit Rape.

Suspect caught on surveillance video at Chapman University

“We will not tolerate this type of heinous criminal activity in Orange. We hope the students and staff of Chapman University and residents of Orange can regain a sense of safety knowing this suspect has been arrested and we are confident he will be held to answer on the charges,” said Orange Police Chief Dan Adams.

Anyone with additional information about this case or other potential victims are asked to contact Orange Police Detective Costa at 714-744-7521 or scosta@orangepd.org.

Sexual assault thwarted at Chapman University by a victim with a second-degree black belt

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Orange Leave a comment

On 9/24/21, at approximately 12:40 a.m., a suspect physically and sexually assaulted a student near her dorm at Chapman University, in the area of Walnut and Grand, according to the Orange Police Department.

The suspect picked the wrong student to assault as it turned out she has a second-degree black belt. She fought back and forced the man to flee as she chased him.

At the time of the assault, the suspect was described as wearing black clothing and a skeleton style mask or gator.

The suspect was last seen walking south on Glassell Street. Surveillance video shows the suspect after he removed his face covering and sweatshirt.

If anyone has information, contact Det. Costa at 714-744-7521.

The latest poems of the week are “Moon” by Juan Cárdenas and “after Cathy Arellano” by Sarah Rafael Garcia

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Arts and Culture, Literature, Poetry, Santa Ana Leave a comment

We are a bit behind so this week we are presenting two poems of the week by the Santa Ana Literary Association including “Moon” by Juan Cárdenas and “

Moon

By: Juan Cárdenas

Flock of ghost bleeding,
fruit with aura nectar
imprisoned by night
Dragging your silver chains
in the quiet cosmos
stardust veins
White sage flower
smooth and cool,
mellow zamba,
jewel of Venice
Coin of the holy,
Bossa nova in orbit
dancing in the ocean shore
no stone unlit
feline goddess fountain of whiskers
Trance inducing tickle.

Luna

Sangrando fantasmas,
fruta con néctar de aura
encarcelada por la noche,
arrastras tus cadenas de plata
en los cosmos silenciosos.
Venas de polvo de estrellas,
flor de salvia blanca.
Cumbia y caderas,
zamba tranquila.
Joya del mar,
moneda de diosa.
bosanova en órbita
bailando en la orilla del mar
Enciendes la arena
Lumbre azul,
Que quemas la noche.

Juan Cárdenas is a Poet, Flautist and Educator for California Poets in the Schools. He is the Associate Director of the non-profit organization called Los Angeles Poet Society and is the Author of the book of Poetry called “The Beat of an Immigrant Chicano” released March 2020 by Swan World Press in Paris, France. Juan was originally born in Leon, Guanajuato Mexico and raised in the City of Panorama City in San Fernando Valley California. Juan’s poetry is about the human experience growing up as an immigrant in The Valley of San Fernando, Los Angeles, and the heartache of loss of belonging.

A POEM TO MY CITY, SANTA ANA

after Cathy Arellano

By: Sarah Rafael Garcia

they say gentrification is when my land
has more value when someone else owns it
i have yet to own property in my city, i guess
my books are of no value to you, Santa Ana
i was invited to your business council, was told
my opinions don’t matter in English, even less in Spanish
did you know over 300 thousand people live here?
of course you do. you’re the city. you just don’t prioritize us
you talk a good talk about inclusivity and small businesses
but order from amazon and think patches and pins are cultura
did you know your residents are about 80% Latinx?
of course you do. you’re the city. you just don’t prioritize us
you get support from developers and federal funds, you dismiss
the fruteros, the quinceañera shops y los libros on La Cuatro
did you know we used to have Fiestas Patrias?
of course you do. you’re the city. you just replaced them
you install a street trolly for future tourists, dismantle
our streets and lose our only bookstore again
you think this poem is a joke. i don’t care
what you think, but you know i have to

Raised in Santa Ana, Sarah Rafael Garcia has over 13 years of experience as an Arts Leader in OC. She’s the founder of Barrio Writers, LibroMobile and Crear Studio—all art programs initiated as a response to build cultural relevance and equity for BIPOC folks in her community. As of 2020, her community projects collectively established the LibroMobile Arts Cooperative. IG: @cuentosmobile @libromobile @crearstudio

Nearly 7,500 families attended the Annual Moon Festival at Mile Square Park

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Andrew Do, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Vietnamese Leave a comment

In a tradition dating back thousands of years, Orange County celebrated the Annual Moon Festival at Mile Square Park last Sunday, September 19, with live entertainment and arts for children and families.

“Traditionally, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to celebrate with family and for thanksgiving,” said Supervisor Andrew Do. “It was heartfelt to see families gathering in an outdoor setting once again.”

The Moon Festival, also known as Mid-Autumn Festival or Tết Trung Thu in Vietnamese, was sponsored by Orange County Chairman Andrew Do, who represents Little Saigon, the largest population of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam.

The event featured face painting by Beauty Glam Academy, balloon animals by Happiness is a Balloon, food by the Hawaiian Dancing Grill BBQ and Kettle Corn King, live entertainment by various singers and groups, and a parade of colorful lanterns for children in attendance. The free event was hosted in collaboration with CalOptima and OC Parks.

“Traditions give us a sense of identity and belonging,” said Supervisor Do, whose family fled Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon.

“As a young refugee, I remember the first time I attended a Vietnamese Tet Festival in the U.S. with my family,” Supervisor Do added. “That brought me comfort and security, at a time of profound change. As Supervisor for the most diverse district in Orange County, I celebrate all cultures and traditions in our diverse district.”

Over 5,000 attended the first Classic Car Show and Concert at Mile Square Park

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Andrew Do, Cars, Fountain Valley Leave a comment

Last Saturday, September 18th, Orange County celebrated the end of summer at Mile Square Park with the first-ever Sunset Classic Car Show and Concert.

“The Sunset Classic Car Show and Concert was a wonderful way for the community to come together once again in an outdoor space and enjoy an evening of live music and good food,” said Chairman Andrew Do.

Organized by Supervisor Andrew Do, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the free event featured a variety of food vendors and a display of classic cars. Attendees had a chance to vote for their favorite classic car, lowrider, and MOPAR vehicle. All participant vehicle owners received a medal for participation.

The event also had live musical performances by:

Southbound and Company – a Lynyrd Skynyrd & Frynds tribute band

Son Doux – a Latin/Cumbia/Rock Band in English & Spanish

No Duh – a No Doubt tribute band

DJ Allura Music

This event was hosted in collaboration with OC Parks.

This week’s Cochino List includes Quan Huong

Posted on September 26, 2021 by Editor Posted in Business, 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 Sept. 16 to Sept. 24. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

Quan Huong, 5423 W. First St., Santa Ana, Closed: Sept. 21, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Sept. 22
Tasty BBQ Dim Sum at Sieu Thi Thuan Phat, 13861 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, Closed: Sept. 22, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Sept. 22
Pho Nguyen Hue, 10487 Bolsa Ave., Westminster, Closed: Sept. 22, Reason: Unapproved construction/remodeling
Tribute Coffee House, 13960 Harbor Blvd., Suite B, Garden Grove, Closed: Sept. 20, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Sept. 23
Thai Chaiyo!, 17602 E. 17th St., Suite 104, Tustin, Closed: Sept. 16, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Sept. 17
ToCoToCo Tea, 12911 Magnolia St., Suite A, Garden Grove, Closed: Sept. 16, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Sept. 17
7-Eleven, 107 W. Ball Road, Anaheim, Permit downgraded to sale of prepackaged food only: Sept. 22, Reason: Insufficient hot water/plumbing in disrepair, Full permit reinstated: Sept. 22
Wetzel’s Pretzels storefront and kiosk at The Shops at Mission Viejo, 594 Shops at Mission Viejo, Suite K-116, Mission Viejo, Closed: Sept. 21, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Running Chicken, 5408 Walnut Ave., Suite I, Irvine, Closed: Sept. 20, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Sept. 21
Domino’s, 4973 Yorba Ranch Road, Suite C, Yorba Linda, Closed: Sept. 20, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Sept. 20
Joe Schmoe’s, 5123 Ball Road, Cypress, Closed: Sept. 17, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Sept. 18
La Chiquita Grocery, 902 E. Washington Ave., Santa Ana, Closed: Sept. 17, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Cafe del Sol, 3817 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, Closed: Sept. 16, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Sept. 17
Update: Jo Won Noodle House at 928 N. Euclid St., Anaheim, which was ordered closed Sept. 17 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Sept. 21.
Update: Ghost Town Grill at Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, which was ordered closed Sept. 16 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Sept. 17.

An armed Hispanic suspect was shot by police in Huntington Beach

Posted on September 26, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Huntington Beach, OC Sheriff 4 Comments

An unidentified Hispanic armed man was shot by Huntington Beach police officers yesterday at about 3:15 p.m. on the sand, just south of the Huntington Beach Pier and near the pathway.

The O.C. Sheriff’s Department has since identified the suspect as Ronnie Andrew Garcia, 43.

The suspect, who was white t-shirt and jean shorts, was seen running away from three police officers as he passed under the pier.

Police shot the suspect when he failed to comply with “multiple commands” to stop.

There were hundreds of people at the beach at the time of the shooting. The U.S. Open of Surfing is currently underway at the beach this weekend, but at the time of the shooting the competition for the day had already ended.

Garcia was hospitalized. He ended up dying at the hospital.

The police officers waited for about 30 seconds with their guns still drawn on the man after they shot him. They then acted to remove items from him and tended to his wounds.

Black Lives Matter of Huntington Beach is calling for the officers involved to be held accountable although we still don’t know why the police targeted the suspect.

The City of Santa Ana’s emergency Rental Assistance Program provided more than $16M to renters

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA – Santa Ana’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program has reached a significant milestone – more than $16 million in funding for rental assistance has been distributed to 2,791 low-income Santa Ana households who suffered financial hardship because of the pandemic.

The City of Santa Ana first began providing rental assistance in May 2020. At that time, assistance was limited to $1,500 per household. This amount was doubled to $3,000 per household in August 2020 and then later increased again to $5,500 in March 2021. Following the State of California’s lead to pay off 100% of past due rent, the City revised its rental assistance program in June 2021 to cover up to 100% of rental arrears for Santa Ana households. Renters who had previously received assistance under one of the lower amounts were also recertified for additional assistance up to the amount they owe in rental arrears.

Since March 2021, the City has been disbursing emergency rental assistance (ERA) funds from the Department of Treasury. So far, the City has disbursed over 90% of the first round of ERA1 funds received from the Treasury. Only a handful of jurisdictions across the country have reached this threshold. In addition, the City has disbursed $1.7 million of the second round of ERA2 funds from the Treasury. Applications have been accepted on an on-going basis for the entire last year since August 2020, and there are only 541 households currently waiting for assistance. Any new applications the City receives are immediately sent for review and funding is readily available to assist new families who need assistance. Families who may have had difficulty during the application process are encouraged to reach out to the City for assistance. Any family who currently needs rental assistance will be served.

To support the ongoing operations and management of the emergency rental assistance program, the City of Santa Ana partnered with local non-profit providers, continually adding more partner organizations to maintain a high level of customer service and to process the applications thoroughly and efficiently. The eight non-profit organizations are The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities of Orange County, Latino Health Access, Families Forward, Families Together of Orange County, South County Outreach, Community Action Partnership of Orange County, and Lutheran Social Services of Southern California. Thanks to these partners and the Orange County United Way, the City has successfully assisted over 2,791 households so far.

The City has relied on both traditional and non-traditional outreach methods to share critical information about this program. This includes, but is not limited to, mass-mailings to every multi-family property business license holder, personalized text messages to our residents, monthly workshops after regular business hours in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, and hand-delivery of multi-lingual program brochures directly to over 52,000 residential units in the City.

Santa Ana renters who owe past due rent and need assistance are encouraged to apply immediately before the end of the State’s eviction moratorium on September 30, 2021. Applications are available at www.santa-ana.org/cares-for-tenants or can be requested directly from Latino Health Access at (657) 229-5450 or LHARent@latinohealthaccess.org.

Two City of Santa Ana administrators honored as Women of the Year for helping residents to get rental assistance

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Congressman Lou Correa honored City of Santa Ana administrators Maricela Marquez and Mikelle Daily as 2021 Women of the Year at an awards ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 18, at Chapman University in Orange. The ceremony was an opportunity to recognize women who have been on the front lines and behind the scenes keeping our communities healthy and safe throughout the pandemic and beyond.

As a tireless public servant, Maricela Marquez was honored for her work to manage and administer the City of Santa Ana’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program designed to assist low-income renters impacted by COVID-19. Maricela, who joined the City of Santa Ana on Sept. 9, 2019, as a Residential Construction Specialist, has managed and administered the City of Santa Ana’s emergency rental assistance program called CARES for Tenants since the beginning of the pandemic. Through her work, she has so far provided over $16 million in federally funded assistance to more than 2,791 families impacted by the pandemic.

“She has worked tirelessly to provide emergency rental assistance to ensure that Santa Ana residents remain in their homes,” said Judson Brown, the City’s Housing Division Manager. “She has been a warrior against the impact of COVID-19 on our community.”

As a grant manager and innovator, Mikelle Daily was honored for her work to create and successfully implement the City of Santa Ana’s Eviction Prevention Program (the “SAVES” Program) while also implementing each major update to the CARES for Tenants Program. A Community Development Analyst with Santa Ana since Jan. 14, 2019, Mikelle was able to harness and navigate the City’s federal funding to help residents stay in their homes. While many workers were working from home immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mikelle was in the office designing and preparing the launch of the City’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program with the first round of funding received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Mikelle oversaw the City’s four updates to the program to increase assistance for Santa Ana residents, from providing $1,500 per household in May 2020 to paying off 100% of past-due rent in June 2021 for Santa Ana households. In February 2021, Mikelle launched the SAVES Program to ensure no Santa Ana residents would be evicted due to nonpayment of rent.

“Mikelle combined her creativity and grant management skills with functionality toward solving the most important concern facing our residents,” said Judson Brown, Housing Division Manager.

Rep. Correa said the women honored during the ceremony are some of the most exemplary and effective leaders in combating the pandemic.

“The crisis has highlighted both the importance of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry,” said Congressman Correa.

The 2021 Women of the Year celebration highlighted the women who stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, educators, community organizers and as some of the most exemplary and effective leaders in combating the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry. The award recognizes women who have been behind the scenes and on the front lines working to make our homes, schools, hospitals, and our community as a whole, a safe and healthy place to live and thrive.

Congratulations to Maricela, Mikelle and all of the other women who were selected for this honor!

Apply for Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention

Santa Ana renters who owe past-due rent and need assistance are encouraged to apply immediately before the end of the State’s eviction moratorium on Sept. 30. Applications are available at www.santa-ana.org/cares-for-tenants.

Tenants who are facing eviction can apply for emergency rental assistance at the link above or at www.santa-ana.org/SAVES to receive both rental assistance and free legal and mediation services.

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Ward 5 City Councilman Hernandez will host Community Office Hours this afternoon

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Johnathan Ryan Hernandez Leave a comment

Santa Ana Ward 5 City Council Member Johnathan Ryan Hernandez will meet with his constituents today at his Community Office Hours on Sep. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Office Hours event will be at La Placita Cinco, located at 2239 W. 5th St., in Santa Ana.

Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez was born and raised in Santa Ana and is a lifetime resident of the Artesia Pilar neighborhood. He is proud of his family’s deep roots in Santa Ana and is honored to raise his daughter in the very community his family has called home for five generations and counting. Councilmember Hernandez is a product of Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) education system and attended Fremont Elementary, Spurgeon Intermediate, and Santa Ana High School. He was raised by the combined effort of a hard-working single mother and his grandparents.

Councilmember Hernandez’s grandfather, Enrique was a member of the Laborers International Union, Local 652 and was an upstanding member for over 43 years. His grandparents, Enrique and Indelisa, migrated to Santa Ana from Guadalajara, Mexico in the late 1950s.

Councilmember Hernandez grew up in Artesia Pilar amidst a challenging decade for the neighborhood in the 1990s. Born in the summer of ‘92, he lived houses away from El Salvador Park and was a witness to numerous tragedies. Like many multi-generational Chicano families, he saw his family members and friends fall through the cracks and end up in the prison system. As a result of his upbringing by the age of 14 Councilmember Hernandez began to organize political events with youth in his community. By the time he was 23, he began working with youth in the community, offering boxing, music, and art programs to at-promise youth. In 2015, Councilmember Hernandez was part of The Mixed Martial Arts Association (MMAFA), a collective of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes that worked to introduce legislation that would extend protections from the sport of boxing to the sport of MMA. In May 2015, a bill was introduced to Congress by Markwayne Mullin, a politician and former mixed martial artist, to extend the Ali Act to MMA.

Councilmember Hernandez now works as a Community Health Worker and Youth Partner for a mental health program where he works with children within the foster care system. Before working with children, he worked in the field of Re-Entry and Gang Prevention, where he served youth ages 13-24 all throughout Orange County and in the City of Watts. Councilmember Hernandez believes that people deserve a second chance and takes pride in helping others re-write their story.

The Santa Ana City Council passed rent control and eviction protection measures

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana City Council voted 4-3 at 2 a.m. on Sep. 22 to approve a series of rent control and eviction protection ordinances and measures that will, once fully approved:

Cap rents at 3 % annually or 80 % of inflation, whichever is less, for buildings built in 1995 or earlier and for mobile home parks established in 1990 or earlier;
Limit when landlords can force tenants out by enacting “just cause evictions,” covering tenants who have lived in the home for at least 30 days. The law will have the landlord provide the eviction notice in the language the owner and tenant used to negotiate the lease;
Set aside $300,000 from pandemic relief money to create an “eviction defense fund” and hire a consultant who will act as a bridge until the city creates a new rent control board and a rent registry for apartments;
Direct city staff to further study how these protections will be carried out.

The City Council Members also made last-minute modifications to the proposed policies, which included adding the legal definition of rent to the ordinance and a citation-first warning system to educate landlords who violate the new policies before being taken to court.

Mayor Vince Sarmiento, and City Council Members Thai Viet Phan, Jessie Lopez and Johnathan Hernandez voted in favor of the ordinances and measures while City Council Members Phil Bacerra, David Penaloza and Nelida Mendoza were opposed.

There will be a second reading at the City Council meeting on Oct. 5 and then these ordinances and measures will take effect.

The downsides of rent control include:

Rent Control Puts a Ceiling on Profitability
Bad Tenants Stay Put
Rent Control Policies Sometimes Forget the Impact of Property Taxes

The positives of rent control include:

Lower Tenant Turnover
Lowered Financial Burdens Help Tenants Meet Household Obligations
Less Development Means Less Competition

Zero Santa Ana schools chosen as 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Editor Posted in Education, Federal Government, Santa Ana, SAUSD 1 Comment

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021, including 28 schools in California. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Secretary Cardona made the announcement during his Return to School Road Trip, while visiting an awardee school, Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School, in Palatine, Illinois.

The California schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:

• Anaheim – Anaheim Hills Elementary School, Orange Unified School District.
• Cerritos – Cerritos Elementary School, ABC Unified School District.
• Chino Hills – Hidden Trails Elementary School, Chino Valley Unified School District.
• Costa Mesa – Maude B. Davis Elementary School, Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
• Fresno – University High School, University High School.
• Gilroy – Dr. T. J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy, Gilroy Unified School District.
• Huntington Beach – Oka (Isojiro) Elementary School, Fountain Valley School District.
• La Canada – Paradise Canyon Elementary School, La Canada Unified School District.
• La Cañada – Palm Crest Elementary School, La Cañada Unified School District.
• La Palma – Los Coyotes Elementary School, Centralia Elementary School District.
• Lafayette – Burton Valley Elementary School, Lafayette School District.
• Los Alamitos – Los Alamitos Elementary School, Los Alamitos Unified School District.
• Los Alamitos – Richard Henry Lee Elementary School, Los Alamitos Unified School District.
• Los Altos – Saint Simon Parish School, Diocese of San Jose.
• Los Angeles – Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary School, Los Angeles Unified School District.
• Manhattan Beach – Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary School, Manhattan Beach Unified School District.
• Mission Viejo – De Portola Elementary School, Saddleback Valley Unified School District.
• Oak Park – Oak Park High School, Oak Park Unified School District.
• Rohnert Park – Technology High School, Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District.
• Ross – Ross Elementary School, Ross Elementary School District.
• San Diego – Carmel Del Mar Elementary School, Del Mar Union School District.
• San Diego – Elevate School, San Diego Unified School District.
• San Francisco – Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila, San Francisco Unified School District.
• San Jose – Challenger School – Berryessa, Challenger School District.
• San Marino – Henry E. Huntington Middle School, San Marino Unified School District.
• Santa Barbara – Mountain View Elementary School, Goleta Union School District.
• Temecula – Red Hawk Elementary School, Temecula Valley Unified School District.
• Upland – Valencia Elementary School, Upland Unified School District.

“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” said Secretary Cardona. “I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon Schools nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

New Santa Ana

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