Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Editor

Take a course on starting a food business in Santa Ana starting on Aug. 1

Posted on by Posted in Business, Food, Food Trucks, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: The Whole Kitchen Sink: A 6-Week Crash Course on Starting a Food Business & Becoming a Food Entrepreneur

The City of Santa Ana in partnership with the 4th Street Market, and the Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network invite food entrepreneurs to participate in “The Whole Kitchen Sink”, a 6-week crash course on starting a food business.

The program in intended for individuals looking to start a food truck, sell homemade food products, or open a brick and mortar restaurant. In this hands-on program, participants will learn to start their business and use a commercial kitchen space. Continue reading→

$1.6M in illegal narcotics seized in massive LA/OC drug bust

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Drugs, Orange County, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Multi-agency investigation leads to the seizure of $1.6 million worth of illegal narcotics

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 26, 2018) – An investigation by a multi-agency operation to intercept narcotics and hold drug traffickers accountable has resulted in the arrest of three men and the confiscation of 184 pounds of illegal narcotics and five guns.

The investigation, which initiated in Orange County, resulted in the seizure of 68 pounds of methamphetamine, 26 pounds of fentanyl, 88 pounds of heroin and about 2 pounds of cocaine from multiple locations in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Continue reading→

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and Driver’s Licence Checkpoint this Saturday at 1500 E. McFadden St.

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on Saturday, July 28th, in the area of 1500 E. McFadden St.

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Saturday July 28th 8, 2018. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 1500 E McFadden Street, in the City of Santa Ana.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver. Continue reading→

A Santa Ana man was burned over 60% of his body in an arson fire

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

A Santa Ana resident, Mark Rojas, 30-years-old, was badly burned in his apartment, at the Santa Ana Saddleback Lodge, in a fire believed to have been arson, according to ABC News.

The fire happened in the early morning hours of July 11. Rojas was burned over 60 percent of his body and was in critical condition with third degree burns. He also injured his respiratory system and had to be intubated immediately. Continue reading→

Man gets life in prison for kidnapping, torturing and mutilating an O.C. marijuana dispensary owner

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Drugs, Fountain Valley, Marijuana, Newport Beach, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

Kyle Shirakawa Handley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 13CF3394

Date: July 20, 2018

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOR KIDNAPPING, TORTURING, AND MUTILATING MARIJUANA DISPENSARY OWNER

*Jury reached guilty verdict in less than two hours

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was sentenced today to life in state prison without the possibility of parole for kidnapping, torturing, and mutilating a marijuana dispensary owner. The defendant was found guilty by a jury after less than two hours of deliberation.

Defendant: Kyle Shirakawa Handley, 36, Fountain Valley

Found guilty by a jury on Jan. 4, 2018 of the following felony counts: Continue reading→

Texas man gets 15 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting a little girl in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Dustin Lee Morgan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 15CF0503

TEXAS MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN STATE PRISON FOR BREAKING INTO HOME OF 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HER WHILE SHE WAS ASLEEP IN HER BED

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Texas man was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison today for breaking into the home of an 8-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her while the victim was asleep in her bed.

Defendant: Dustin Lee Morgan, 36, Texarkana, Texas

Found guilty by a jury on June 25, 2018, of one felony count each of: Continue reading→

A suspect who was possibly on drugs died after getting arrested by the SAPD today

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD And OCDA Investigating In-Custody Death -3400 Block South Plaza Drive

Deceased: Pending Family Notification

On Monday, July 23, 2018, at 10:52 AM, Santa Ana Police officers responded to the apartment complex at 3400 South Plaza Drive for a reported fight inside an unspecified apartment. Upon arrival, officers heard a commotion, to include breaking glass, from a second story apartment. The officers called out to the occupant of the apartment and requested he come out to speak with them.

An unidentified adult male exited the apartment partially clothed displaying objective symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers detained the subject for further investigation. The subject became unresponsive. Officers began lifesaving measures and requested Orange County Fire Authority paramedics. Continue reading→

This week’s Cochino List includes Jugos Victoria, Gu Ramen and Restaurant Acapulco

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of July 13 to July 20, 2018. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

  • Jugos Victoria, 1421 S. Main St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 20, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Restaurant Acapulco, 2419 W. McFadden Ave., Suite 108, Santa Ana, Closed: July 20, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: July 20
  • La Bahia de Acapulco Market, 2429 W. McFadden Ave., Suite 109, Santa Ana, Closed: July 19, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: July 20
  • Gu Ramen, 304 N. Main St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 18, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: July 19
  • Carl’s Jr., 1943 E. 17th St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 17, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: July 17
  • Mary Restaurant, 1819 S. Main St., Santa Ana, Closed: July 13, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: July 13

Continue reading→

A female skateboarder being pulled by a vehicle died in Santa Ana early this morning

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

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Collision Investigations Unit – Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Collision 2400 Block North Spruce

Deceased: Vanessa Nichole Salcido (24) Santa Ana

On Sunday, June 22, 2018 at approximately 1:30 am, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) received a 911 call from a Santa Ana resident reporting a female had fallen from a skateboard and was down in the roadway in the 2400 block of N. Spruce Street. The female was reportedly unconscious but breathing. Upon their arrival, OCFA personnel briefly treated the female at the scene before she was transported by CARE Ambulance to UCI Medical Center for treatment. Continue reading→

Reward offered for info regarding the suspect who killed Roberto Silva

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: UPDATE – ATF ANNOUNCES $10K REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE SUSPECT IN THIS CASE

– UPDATE –

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA — Today the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives (ATF) and Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the shooting homicide of an 18-yr-old.

On Saturday, June 23, just after 1 a.m., Roberto Silva was shot in the parking lot of 1700 E. Newport Circle. Silva had been attending a large unsanctioned street party at the location. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Continue reading→

Homeless man arrested for setting fires in Santiago Creek

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

Gustavo Garcia

Santa Ana Police Department

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

ARRESTED: Gustavo Garcia (26) Homeless

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Garret James McKinnon after a DUI accident

Santa Ana Police Department

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

SAPD REMINDS YOU TO #DONTDRINKANDDRIVE

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

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

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

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

City of Santa Ana

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

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

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