Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Orange County

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

Posted on by 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.

Westview Housing Aerial Map

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 by 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.

First District Supervisor Andrew Do elected as the new OCTA Chairman

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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.

What you need to know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The City of Santa Ana is supporting the County of Orange’s effort to establish regional vaccine Super Points-of-Dispensing, or Super PODs, which will allow them to vaccinate thousands of residents and workers each day throughout the county.

The County opened its first Super POD site at Disneyland, making the vaccine available to eligible individuals. Multiple Super POD sites for mass vaccination are under consideration countywide.

The City of Santa is also working with the County to establish local vaccination sites within our city as soon as possible.

To receive a vaccine at a Super POD site, individuals must be eligible within Phase 1A – healthcare workers and long-term care residents; or be first responders in high-risk communities; or be 65 years or older. They also must live or work within Orange County.

AN APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED. DO NOT GO TO A VACCINATION SITE WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.

All residents are encouraged to register to be notified when the County of Orange’s vaccine and testing management app, Othena, has appointments available and is ready for their use by visiting https://othena.com/individuals.php and filling out the online form.

Individuals must have an appointment and must show identification and documentation of eligibility at the site to receive a vaccination.

COVID-19 VACCINE TOWN HALL:
When: Thursday, Jan. 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Speakers include: Dr. Clayton Chau, OC Health Care Agency Director & County Health Officer, and Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Deputy Health Officer.
Watch: http://www.facebook.com/OCAPICA or https://www.facebook.com/ucicancercenter/

USEFUL WEBSITES AND PHONE NUMBERS:

Vaccine Distribution Explained: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-vaccination-distribution

Sign up to be notified when a vaccination appointment is available:
https://othena.com/individuals.php

OC Public Health Agency COVID-19 Info: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/

City of Santa Ana COVID-19 Resources: www.santa-ana.org/COVID19

County Health Agency COVID-19 Hotline: 714-834-2000 or Eteam@ochca.com

County Medical Questions Hotline: (800) 564-8448

(NOTE: For Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages, read this at
www.santa-ana.org/latest-news/covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-know.)

The OC Public Libraries commemorate 100 years of service to Orange County with a yearlong celebration

Posted on by Posted in Literature, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (January 13, 2021) – OC Public Libraries is recognizing a major milestone in 2021 as it reaches its 100th year of service. The OC Public Libraries centennial, to be commemorated with the tagline Celebrate the Past, Inspire the Future. 100 Years of Possibilities., was announced at yesterday’s Orange County (OC) Board of Supervisors meeting. The yearlong celebration will include virtual and safe programs highlighting the library’s commitment to the community over the last 100 years. 

“For 100 years, OC Public Libraries has enriched the diverse communities of Orange County in meaningful ways,” said Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. “I am extremely proud of the integral role our public libraries have played in the growth of Orange County and the work they have done to enrich the lives of those who call Orange County home.” 

On August 1, 1921, Orange County Free Library began operations with a staff of three people headquartered at 508 N. Main Street in Santa Ana in a rented room shared with the County Farm Advisor. This day marked the beginning of a 100-year history that has now expanded to 32 community branches throughout Orange County, with a collection of over 2.4 million items checked out over 6.8 million times each year by nearly a half-million library cardholders. 

“Over the last 100 years, OC Public Libraries has supported residents and encouraged families to begin a habit of reading that benefits their personal and professional lives,” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. 

OC Public Libraries will offer a year full of programming and activities that celebrate its centennial including a commemorative library card and logo in addition to providing print, audiovisual and digital resources, internet access, and skilled staff assistance. Special storytimes, take-home crafts, and reading programs will also highlight the library’s history and advocacy. 

“OC Public Libraries is a County asset that inspires people of all ages to read, learn, and connect with the world around them. I encourage residents to utilize our extensive resources as it can enrich the quest for research and information,” said Supervisor Donald Wagner, Third District. 

Over its 100-year history, OC Public Libraries has instituted services and programs that directly respond to community needs and reflect the changing climate across Orange County. A virtual timeline detailing the history of OC Public Libraries will be available at ocpl.org/ocpltimeline. 

“OC Public Libraries provides enduring connections to the past and future of our communities, County and State in a world undergoing constant change,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. 

OC Public Libraries continues to offer Grab & Go service, which allows patrons to use self-service checkout of requested and limited popular items, as well as contactless curbside pickup. Library buildings remain open with metered access for Grab & Go checkout, along with physically distanced single patron internet stations available by reservation for thirty-minute sessions. 

Residents are invited to join the yearlong celebration on social media by following and tagging the hashtag #OCPL100. For more information about OC Public Libraries and the centennial, visit ocpl.org/centennial. 

Sheriff Barnes names 24-year OCSD veteran Jeff Hallock as new Undersheriff

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (January 13, 2021): Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes has named Jeff Hallock, a 24-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, as the new Undersheriff. Hallock will be responsible for the Department’s day-to-day operations, overseeing more than 4,000 personnel and a $1 billion budget.

Undersheriff Hallock was promoted January 6 in a private badge pinning at Sheriff’s Headquarters.

“Undersheriff Hallock is a consummate leader who serves with integrity and approaches any assignment he is given with an unwavering work ethic and a deep commitment to the betterment of this Department,” said Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “His breadth of experience and innovative approach to law enforcement operations will help the Sheriff’s Department continue our tradition of providing exemplary service to the County of Orange.”

Hallock’s previous assignments include Custody Operations, Jail Planning, Patrol Operations, Investigations, Narcotics, Internal Affairs, and Public Affairs, serving as the Public Information Officer.

His accomplishments include serving as the first Field Training Bureau Commander, implementing solutions to keep the department on the leading edge of change. He served as the Public Information Officer during several major incidents that drew national attention, navigating complexities in a forthright and transparent way. Most recently, he served as Assistant Sheriff of Field Operations and Investigative Services, overseeing the department’s response to multiple emergencies in 2020.

The OCDA is assisting efforts to hold Trump rioters accountable for the siege on the U.S. Capitol

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Donald Trump, OCDA, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Todd Spitzer 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer issued the following statement to condemn the violence at the U.S. Capitol building and discuss the actions the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is taking to hold those responsible accountable:

The violence and destruction carried out at the U.S. Capitol building demonstrated a sickening disregard for our American democracy and the rule of law. We will not allow the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment to be distorted in a misguided attempt to shield extremists and domestic terrorists who are hell-bent on inciting violence and destroying the ideals that make up the fabric of our American democracy.

We have been working since day one with our federal, state, and local partners as well as the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center to aggressively pursue those involved in criminal activity related to the events at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.

Members of the public can help by providing tips, information, and videos of illegal activity to fbi.gov/USCapitol

The American people can rest assured that we will find those responsible and hold them accountable.

There is nothing more sacred to the American people than the sanctity of an election. That ballot and that vote represents the individual desire of the direction that voter wishes this Country to go.

No vote – and no voter – carries more weight than another. We are all equal. That is the very beauty of America – and the ideals we hold so dear.

What we saw unfold in one of the most sacred buildings on one of the most sacred days betrayed that beauty. What we saw was ugly.

A Capitol police officer dragged and beaten to death by a mob of rioters. The Confederate flag being paraded past portraits of presidents who committed themselves to eradicating the Confederacy. Legislators elected to represent their residents hiding behind chairs and desks with nowhere to go while rioters in tactical gear armed with zip ties stalked the rows looking for their prey.

One of Orange County’s own representatives – Sen. Lou Correa – surrounded by an angry mob of people at the Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C. as he tried to catch a flight back to the district he represents. The people he was elected to represent.

This is not America. This is not who we are or what we stand for.

The way we stand up is by holding those responsible for these atrocities accountable.

Justice will be served.

This week’s Cochino List includes Jobento and the One Seventeen Food Store

Posted on by 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 Jan. 2 to Jan. 10. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

  • Jobento, 1228 E. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit
  • One Seventeen Food Store, 2102 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 8, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Update: Dollar Tree at 631 S. Main St., Santa Ana, which was ordered closed Dec. 30 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 6.
  • Car wash at Tustin Auto Wash and Gas, 13561 Newport Ave., Tustin, Closed: Jan. 10, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Update: Crepe Maker at MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Suite 9100, Santa Ana, which was ordered closed Jan. 2 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 5.
  • Nuoc Mia Vien Dong, 13894 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 7
  • S&J Gran Cafe, 12835 Harbor Blvd., Suite E-6, Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Sushi Yun, 3505 E. Chapman Ave., Suite E, Orange, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 3
  • Art Of The Party, 17290 Newhope St., Suite A, Fountain Valley, Closed: Jan. 9, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 10
  • Update: Brisket at 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, which was ordered closed Jan. 2 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 5.
  • Cauldron Ice Cream, 14001 Jeffrey Road, Irvine, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit, Reopened: Jan. 2
  • La Taverna, 727 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, Permit downgraded to prepackaged food only: Jan. 8, Reason: Insufficient hot water/plumbing in disrepair
  • Samara Restaurant, 1160 N. Kraemer Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 9, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Cristi’s Restaurant, 821 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 8, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 9
  • Update: Momo Tea Bar at Anaheim GardenWalk, 400 W. Disney Way, Suite 169, Anaheim, which was ordered closed Dec. 27 because of insufficient hot water, was allowed to reopen Jan. 6.
  • ARC Restaurant Food and Libations, 3321 Hyland Ave., Suite F, Costa Mesa, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Ganso Island Grill, 4390 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Jerky King aka Vua Kho Bo, 5414 Walnut Ave., Suite E, Irvine, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Baskin-Robbins, 201 Main St., Suite B, Huntington Beach, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 7
  • 7-Eleven, 8761 Knott Ave., Suite 101, Buena Park, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 2
  • Update: Big Chopsticks at 4953 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, which was ordered closed Jan. 2 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 6.

Orange County activates incident management team, plans for regional COVID-19 vaccine supersites

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Santa Ana, Calif. – The County of Orange is proactively leading Orange County’s response to COVID-19. The next critical phase is providing the vaccine to residents in a phased, tiered approach.

“The County of Orange, together with our partners at the Orange County Fire Authority, launched ‘Operation Independence’ to help administer COVID-19 vaccinations in the county. In order to coordinate the planning for this massive undertaking, the County has created an Incident Management Team (IMT). The Operation Independence IMT will be working 7 days a week to secure locations and stand up large, regional Super Point-of-Dispensing (POD) sites that can vaccinate thousands of residents each day,” said Acting Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors Andrew Do, First District.

The County’s effort, named Operation Independence, has the objective of setting up regional vaccine points of dispensing (POD). Due to the scope and size of these PODs, based on the high demand for vaccines, these sites are being referred to as County Super PODs. The Super PODs are expected to dispense thousands of vaccines each day once they are fully operational.
“Establishing the Operation Independence IMT will reduce and eliminate barriers to vaccine access for Orange County’s residents,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Third District. “This is important for the taxpayers we serve as it enables us to maintain fiscal accountability and avoid duplication of efforts at the City level.”

The County is anticipating the need for at least five Super PODs that will be brought online as they are approved, staffed, and have COVID-19 vaccines available. The location of the County Super POD sites are in development, and will be announced as they are finalized. Once finalized, the County Super POD sites will be opened in a phased approach and will be located regionally throughout Orange County.

“I’m pleased that the Operation Independence IMT will eliminate potential waste of the vaccine and keep the community informed by providing coordinated communications among all agencies, authorities, stakeholders and the public,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District.

Currently, vaccinations are being provided to Orange County residents and those who work in Orange County that fall within Phase 1a, all tiers. Vaccines will be dispensed at County Super PODs only to Orange County residents and those who work in Orange County who qualify. A vaccine will not be delivered unless identification and documentation of vaccine eligibility are presented at the site. To view a list of who is eligible to receive a vaccine, visit the OC Health Care Agency website https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/phased-approach-vaccine-distribution.

“I strongly encourage residents to click here for the latest information on who is currently eligible to receive the vaccination, and learn the facts about the vaccines’ safety and efficacy. The County and our partners have engaged in annual POD exercises to ensure we are ready to quickly distribute vaccines throughout Orange County,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District.

An Incident Management Team (IMT) was established on December 31, 2020 for Operation Independence. The Operation Independence IMT is a unified command with representatives from the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Orange County Fire Authority, the County of Orange County Executive Office (CEO) and other County agencies.
For questions related to COVID-19, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

The OC Auditor-Controller’s Office releases the FY 2019-20 Citizens’ Report

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The Orange County Auditor-Controller’s Office has released this year’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), also known as the Citizens’ Report, a summarized guide to the in-depth County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Both reports reflect information from the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year which began on July 1, 2019 and ended on June 30, 2020. These reports also share the unprecedented challenges the County as a whole faced this year, including the allocation of $554 million received as a result of the CARES Act to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am pleased to present this year’s Citizens’ Report for the County of Orange,” said Orange County Auditor-Controller Frank Davies. “While this year has been challenging for everyone, both within the County and for its citizens, I hope that this report will not only help to illuminate County finances, but illustrate the resiliency and flexibility seen within County departments in the face of adversity.”

Each year the Auditor-Controller’s Office chooses a County agency to highlight as part of the report’s theme; this year the report features the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Office. Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen and his staff put in place many new initiatives crucial to allowing the vital business operations of the Clerk-Recorder’s Office to continue despite the shutdown resulting from the pandemic. We are grateful to be able to feature the department in this year’s report.

Last year’s report once again received the award for outstanding achievement in popular annual financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 17th consecutive year.

To download a copy of this year’s Citizens’ Report or view the report online, click here or visit the Auditor-Controller’s website at ocauditor.com/reports/citizens-reports. A hard copy of the report is available upon request at pioac@ac.ocgov.com.

Top homes for sale in Santa Ana this week

Posted on by Posted in Housing, Orange County, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The typical home value of homes right now in Orange County is $793,652. Orange County home values have gone up 6.7% over the past year and will rise 10.0% in the next year, according to Zillow.

Redfin reports that 3,075 homes were sold in Santa Ana last year at a median price of $799,000 and a median 42 days on the market.

Here is how much homes are selling for, on average, in other Orange County cities around Santa Ana, per Realvals.com:

  • Anaheim, $624,864
  • Buena Park, $546,609
  • Costa Mesa, $859,747
  • Fountain Valley, $777,425
  • Fullerton, $714,448
  • Garden Grove, $566,686
  • Irvine, $1,190,634
  • Orange, $734,715
  • Tustin, $847,259

Here are some of the current top home listings in Santa Ana, courtesy of Redfin:

  • 1615 W Pomona St, Santa Ana, CA 92704, $1,433,000, Listing
  • 1619 W Pomona St, Santa Ana, CA 92704, $1,433,000, Listing
  • 13871 Deodar St, Santa Ana, CA, 92705, $1,399,000, Listing
  • 1915 N Flower St, Santa Ana, CA, 92706, $1,399,000, Listing
  • 313 S Broadway, Santa Ana, CA, 92701, $1,399,000, Listing
  • 2121 W Myrtle St, Santa Ana, CA 92703, 1,200,000, Listing
  • 1121 French St, Santa Ana, CA 92701, Listing
  • 1309 W Sixth St, Santa Ana, CA 92703, $1,199,900, Listing
  • 13022 Painted Pony Ln, Santa Ana, CA 92705, $1,180,000, Listing
  • 1009 N Parton St, Santa Ana, CA 92701, 1,175,000, Listing
  • 2339 N Towner St, Santa Ana, CA 92706, $1,174,999, Listing

We will be writing a weekly post featuring top homes for sale in Santa Ana. Next week we will look at a few more homes, other than those noted above.

With home sale prices going up in Santa Ana will you be one of those selling your home so you can move to a lower cost state?

Attention Real Estate agents – you can post an ad on this page. Click here to email us if you are interested.

Winners of the O.C. “To Know Better” anti-hate initiative design contest announced

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Orange County, Racism, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. (January 5, 2021) – The Orange County Human Relations Commission (OCHRC) announced the winners of its “To Know Better” campaign contest. Promoted among the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Orange County Public Schools, and the Orange County Department of Education, the contest debuted in October and called upon Orange County middle- and high-school students to get creative while making a huge statement: Promote cultural acceptance by developing a multimedia campaign for their schools to help stop COVID-related discrimination and xenophobia.

“Diversity is our greatest strength, in our schools and our communities,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Seeing our youth work to educate their peers to rise above racism is inspirational.”

The contest resonated with students, who submitted 105 entries representing more than 29 Orange County middle and high schools.

And the winners are:

  • District 1: I Am Not, by Kaitlyn Nguyen & Sam Naismith, Samueli Academy
  • District 2: Empathy Not Judgement, No Stigma, by Alec Wills and Madeline Berry, Los Alamitos High School
  • District 3: Future by Us, by Chloe Wang, Woodbridge High School
  • District 4: The Message Behind the Mask, by Western High School Commercial Dance, Western High School
  • District 5: The Truth Around Us, by SJHHS Bridges, San Juan Hills High School

“This was more than a campaign,” said Supervisor Donald Wagner, Third District. “‘To Know Better‘ showed how strongly our students recognize and reject hate.”

Each winner’s school will receive funds to further anti-hate initiatives, professional help in bringing those initiatives to life, and a strong communications campaign to add to their college, job, or internship applications.

“Orange County students are making a statement on behalf of the entire county: We all know better and can strive to do better to support each other by standing up to racial injustice and intolerant attitudes,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District.

“I’m so proud of the response to this initiative, and the creativity and ingenuity our students showed in communicating their ‘To Know Better‘ ideas,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District.

To view all the campaign work, visit https://knowbetter2020.com/gallery/

About the Orange County Human Relations Commission

Since 1971, OCHRC has served the community with the mission of seeking out and eliminating the causes of tension, discrimination, and intolerance. It is known and recognized for its ongoing efforts to make Orange County a more accepting and unified community. OCHRC is contracted by the County of Orange to work closely with law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, diverse faith leaders, and community members to respond and track hate crimes and incidents on behalf of the County.

To learn more about services provided by the County through OCHRC, please visit http://www.occommunityservices.org/ochrc.

Former O.C. Sheriff Sandra Hutchens has passed away

Posted on by Posted in Don Barnes, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Sandra Hutchens, Santa Ana 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (January 4, 2021): Please see the statement below from Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of former Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

“In November 2012, Sheriff Hutchens was diagnosed with breast cancer. She courageously fought this disease while still leading this department. Her fight was successful for eight years. Unfortunately, the cancer recently returned and Sheriff Hutchens passed this morning with her loved ones by her side.

“Sandra Hutchens served as the 12th Orange County Sheriff from 2008-2019. She took office at a difficult time. The public’s trust had been broken by the previous sheriff. Upon taking office, she immediately took action to put one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies back on track. She was a leader whose ethics matched the culture of the men and women of this department. She restored our pride, gave us back our dignity and rebuilt trust with the people we serve. She kept her oath, kept her promises, and ended her time in office leaving this agency better than when she started.

“Hemingway described courage as “grace under pressure.” There is no one who embodied that description more than Sandra Hutchens. Sheriff Hutchens lived her life and led this agency with courage, grace and dignity. She bravely closed her life in the same manner. When I last spoke to her she was strong, maintained her sense of humor and continued to have a deep love and appreciation for the people of Orange County. Her legacy will endure for many years through all those she mentored and entrusted with helping her lead the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“For me personally, she was a mentor and a friend. I will continue to be inspired by her commitment to always do the right thing, regardless of the consequences, and serve with the department and community’s interests first without need for self-recognition. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunities she presented me, and the many lessons I learned from her over the years.

“In keeping with Sheriff Hutchens’ wishes, there will not be a memorial service. Her family has asked that donations be made in her name to Drug Use is Life Abuse (www.duila.org) or the Susan G. Komen Foundation (www.komen.org), two charities she actively supported while in office.”

This week’s Cochino List includes several restaurants affected by a sewage overflow

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Insects, 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 Dec. 14 to Dec. 31. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

  • Tienda El Quetzal y Pupusas ToGo, 3848 E. Chapman Ave., Suite C, Orange, Closed: Dec. 20, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Dec. 20
  • Aurora’s Chorizo, 3848 E. Chapman Ave., Suite B, Orange, Closed: Dec. 20, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Dec. 20
  • Restaurant Doña Jose, 3848 E. Chapman Ave., Suite A-2, Orange, Closed: Dec. 20, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Dec. 20
  • Fullerton Liquor, 575 S. Euclid St., Fullerton, Closed: Dec. 15, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 17
  • Kitchen at St. Michael’s Abbey, 27977 Silverado Canyon Road, Silverado, Closed: Dec. 14, Reason: Insufficient hot water

Here is one more food poisoning incident in Santa Ana reported at Iwaspoisoned.com:

  • Del Taco, East Dyer Road, Santa Ana, CA, USA, Symptoms: Nausea Diarrhea Vomiting Other, Del Taco, East Dyer Road, Santa Ana, CA, USA, December 27, 2020 3:59 PM, “I am very sick with vomiting and diarrhea since late last nite after having rollers, and a drink about 130 p.m. on Saturday December 26 2020. The smell in the air smelled like sewer but I thought it was the grease truck servicing them at that time. I know better next time. 🙁 ”