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Category Archives: Orange County

This week’s Cochino List includes Jack in the Box, D.D. Market and Crepe Maker

Posted on by Posted in Disease, 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. 9 to Jan. 17. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

  • Crepe Maker at MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Suite 9100, Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 13, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Jack In The Box, 3710 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 15, Reason: Sewage overflow
  • D. D. Market, 322 W. 17th St., Suite B, Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 14 Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Asian Garden Fast Food at Asian Garden Mall, 9200 Bolsa Ave., Suite 304, Westminster, Closed: Jan. 14, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 15
  • Update: The car wash at 76 station, 13561 Newport Ave., Tustin, which was ordered closed Jan. 10 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 10.
  • Cancun Tacos Al Carbon, 7011 Warner Ave., Suite I, Huntington Beach, Closed: Jan. 16, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Grill And Toast Restaurant at Wholesome Choice, 18040 Culver Drive, Irvine, Closed: Jan. 16, Reason: Fire suppression discharge in facility, Reopened: Jan. 16
  • Fonda Mixcoac, 10660 Magnolia Ave., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 14, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 16
  • ExtraMile at Chevron station, 1740 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, Closed: Jan. 14, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 15
  • The Flame Broiler, 1675 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 9, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 11
  • Update: Samara Restaurant at 1160 N. Kraemer Blvd., Anaheim, which was ordered closed Jan. 9 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 10.
  • Update: La Taverna at 727 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, which had its permit downgraded to sell prepackaged food only because of insufficient hot water and plumbing in disrepair, had its full permit reinstated Jan. 10.

Supervisor Do selected as the new Vice Chair of the O.C. Board of Supervisors

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Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has been unanimously selected by his colleagues to serve as Vice Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

During the upcoming year, Vice Chair Do vows to work closely with Chairwoman Michele Steel to expand access to mental health care services and enhance the county’s system of care for combatting homelessness.

“I am honored to serve as Vice Chair and humbled to receive the unanimous support of our Board,” said Supervisor Andrew Do. “By working together, Orange County can continue to keep our neighborhoods safe as we work to address our community’s homeless crisis.”

In 2020, Supervisor Do will also serve as Vice Chair of the OC Housing Finance Trust, Vice Chair of the Orange County Transportation Authority, Vice Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee at Metrolink, and Chairman of the OC Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Supervisor Do started working for the County more than 30 years ago, serving in various County departments. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 2018 and Vice Chair in 2017.

In addition to keeping Orange County safe and providing care to the homeless, Supervisor Do plans to focus on creating more affordable housing, investing in Orange County’s public infrastructure, increasing access to vital health care services for seniors and low-income families, and alleviating financial burdens on students and recent graduates.

“Orange County is a wonderful place to live,” said Supervisor Do. “Our county must find new ways to deliver that same high-quality of life to everyone in our community. We must create more opportunities for students, recent graduates, and young families to afford Orange County.”

The City of Santa Ana sues south O.C. cities and the County over the homeless crisis

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Courts, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The City of Santa Ana filed two lawsuits on Jan. 13 in its continuing efforts to address the impacts of homelessness.

The first seeks to halt the proposed transportation of homeless individuals into Santa Ana by three local cities, among other relief. The second seeks to abate public nuisance conditions at a facility in Santa Ana operated by the Mental Health Association of Orange County.

The legal actions were authorized by a unanimous vote of the Santa Ana City Council during a closed session meeting on Dec. 17.

Case SA CV 20-0069-DOC (DFMx), filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division, names as defendants the County of Orange and the cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. The complaint alleges violations of the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment and the 14th Amendment’s equal protection and due process clauses.

The City of Santa Ana is seeking monetary damages for its past and future expenditures on homeless resources and related services. The City also is seeking injunctive relief prohibiting the proposed transportation of homeless individuals by the above cities to the National Guard Armory in Santa Ana that is operated by the County for temporary nighttime shelter.

The complaint alleges that the city of San Clemente has closed its temporary homeless shelter and has decided to use the Armory to serve its homeless population. Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano are reported to be sharing in the cost of the transportation of such individuals to the Armory. More generally, Santa Ana urges that these jurisdictions have not equitably participated in relieving the homelessness crisis in Orange County. The complaint seeks to re-focus efforts on a more collaborative approach to the crisis.

The complaint also alleges the County of Orange has established homeless services almost exclusively in Santa Ana. In addition to the 200-bed Armory, the County operates a 400-bed shelter in downtown Santa Ana with plans to replace it with a new 425-bed shelter also in Santa Ana.

The City of Santa Ana operates its own 200-bed homeless shelter for Santa Ana residents.

In recent years, the city of Santa Ana has been compelled to spend millions of dollars from its general fund to address health and safety concerns attributable to the homeless population now living here. That money would otherwise have been spent on providing core services to residents, a deprivation that has subjected residents to cruel and unusual punishment and deprived them of due process of law, the complaint says.

Santa Ana also has the largest Latino population in Orange County, 78 percent of a total population of 341,000, and one of the county’s lowest median household incomes. As a result, the burden of servicing the county’s homeless that has been placed on Santa Ana constitutes a denial of residents’ equal protection under the law, the complaint states.

A hearing on a motion for preliminary injunction in the federal case is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 8 a.m. in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana.

The second case, filed in Orange County Superior Court, names as defendants the Orange County Association for Mental Health, doing business as Mental Health Association of Orange County, and BT Investment Properties, LLC, which is the owner of the property in question.

In this case, Santa Ana alleges that the operation of the Homeless Multi-Service Center by the Mental Health Association has resulted in negative impacts to public health, safety and welfare. The Santa Ana Police Department received more than 249 calls for service at the location between May 1, 2017, and Jan. 9, 2020, according to the complaint.

The City further alleges that the multi-service center is not in compliance with the City’s zoning code.

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

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

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

  • One Seventeen Food Store, 2102 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 8, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Jobento, 1228 E. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Update: Car wash at 76 station, 13561 Newport Ave., Tustin, which was ordered closed Dec. 31 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 3. But it was closed again on Jan. 10 for another rodent infestation.
  • Samara Restaurant, 1160 N. Kraemer Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 9, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Art Of The Party, 17290 Newhope St., Suite A, Fountain Valley, Closed: Jan. 9, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 10
  • La Taverna, 727 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, Permit downgraded to prepackaged food only: Jan. 8, Reason: Insufficient hot water/plumbing in disrepair
  • Cristi’s Restaurant, 821 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 8, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 9
  • ARC, 3321 Hyland Ave., Suite F, Costa Mesa, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Island Grill, 4390 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • S&J Gran Cafe, 12835 Harbor Blvd., Suite E-6, Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Jerky King, 5414 Walnut Ave., Suite E, Irvine, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
  • Nuoc Mia Vien Dong, 13894 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 7
  • 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
  • Sushi Yun, 3505 E. Chapman Ave., Suite E, Orange, Closed: Jan. 2
  • Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 3
  • Cauldron Ice Cream, 14001 Jeffrey Road, Irvine, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit, Reopened: Jan. 2.
  • Update: L.A. Brisket at 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, which was ordered closed Jan. 2 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 5.
  • 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.
  • 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.

This week’s Cochino List includes Crepe Maker, Rockin’ Jump and Dollar Tree

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

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 Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

  • Crepe Maker at MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Suite 9100, Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Kitchen at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park, 1411 S. Village Way, Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 30, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 31
  • Dollar Tree, 631 S. Main St., Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 30, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • L.A. Brisket, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • El Sabroso Grill, 214 W. Santa Fe Ave., Placentia, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 3
  • Big Chopsticks, 4953 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Carl’s Jr., 750 N. Rose Drive, Placentia, Closed: Dec. 31, Reason: Plumbing in disrepair, Reopened: Dec. 31
  • Car wash at 76 station, 13561 Newport Ave., Tustin, Closed: Dec. 31, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Cucina Alessa, 520 Main St., Huntington Beach, Closed: Dec. 30, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 30
  • Zacks Salt Creek, 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, Closed: Dec. 28, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Panaderia y Pasteleria La Mexicana, 1951 E. La Habra Blvd., Suite A1, La Habra, Closed: Dec. 27, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 27
  • Momo Tea Bar at Anaheim GardenWalk, 400 W. Disney Way, Suite 169, Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 27, Reason: Insufficient hot water
  • Bistro 3100 at Embassy Suites, 3100 E. Frontera St., Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 26, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 27

The O.C. Sheriff’s Department opens a housing unit for U.S. veterans

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Military, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana, Veterans Leave a comment

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will open its first-ever housing unit for select inmates verified as U.S. veterans, which is expected to support successful transition post-release.

Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUMV) at the Theo Lacy Facility will include 32 beds, patriotic-themed murals on the walls, 55-inch televisions, game room-style tables, and flags representing each branch of the military hung overhead.

To participate in HUMV, inmates must meet specific security criteria and agree to actively participate in the programming.

Inmates assigned to the unit will get access to additional privileges including more out-of-cell time and programming tailored to veterans such as peer mentoring, post-release employment resources and workshops, financial planning classes, and substance abuse services, among other programs.

HUMV inmates will be moved in starting January 2, 2020.

“This is not just a new housing unit with different paint on the walls. This is a program model designed to go one step further in better assisting those who have served our country,” said Sheriff Don Barnes. “The Sheriff’s Department dedicates much time and resources to build diverse and effective programming for all inmates with the hope that when released from custody, individuals will not recidivate.”

OCSD Correctional Programs has partnered with 10 agencies to provide programming for HUMV, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Tierney Center for Veteran Services, Working Wardrobes and the Orange County Probation Department, among others.

The OCTA offers free bus rides to ring in 2020

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Special service now in its 18th year helps revelers safely celebrate the New Year

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is providing safe rides for those ringing in 2020 with free fares on OC Bus from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 to 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Riding OC Bus is a safe and easy way to get to popular destinations around Orange County, including bus routes that operate near Downtown Fullerton, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and more.

“We encourage everyone to ring in the new year responsibly by taking advantage of the New Year’s Eve OC Bus service,” said OCTA Chairman Tim Shaw, also a La Habra City Councilman. “The free service makes celebrating the start of 2020 a breeze, allowing riders to leave their cars at home and not worry about finding a safe ride home.”

Those planning to ride the bus this New Year’s Eve are encouraged to plan their trip ahead of time by visiting www.OCBus.com. The site includes an interactive planner that makes it easy for new and experienced riders to determine times and routes, along with a map of popular Orange County destinations.

Free rides begin at 6 p.m., so those getting an early start must pay the $2 bus fare or use an OC Bus pass.

More than 157,000 people have taken advantage of this special free bus service since it began in 2002.

About the OCTA: The Orange County Transportation Authority is responsible for planning, funding and implementing transit and capital projects serving 34 cities and 3.1 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail and active transportation.

This week’s Cochino List includes Jobento again

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

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 Dec. 20 to Dec. 27. 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: Dec. 26, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Update: Velvet Lounge at 416 W. Fourth St., Santa Ana, which was ordered closed Dec. 19 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Dec. 20.
  • Eight Korean BBQ, 6681 Beach Blvd., Suite C, Buena Park, Closed: Dec. 23, Reason: No water supply, Reopened: Dec. 23
  • Quan Chay Tu Thien, 9098 Bolsa Ave., Westminster, Closed: Dec. 23, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 24
  • Update: Biyako at 512 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, which was ordered closed Dec. 19 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Dec. 23.

This week’s Cochino List includes Velvet Lounge, Jobento and Healthy and Fresh Cuisine

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

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 Dec. 10 to Dec. 20. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

  • Velvet Lounge, 416 W. Fourth St., Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 19, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Jobento, 1228 E. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 16, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 19
  • Healthy and Fresh Cuisine, 1627 E. Edinger Ave., Suite A, Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 12, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 13
  • Update: Z’s Kitchen at 3138 E. Chapman Ave., Suite B, Orange, which was ordered closed Dec. 12 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Dec. 13.
  • Sushi Plus, 18856 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, Closed: Dec. 16, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 19
  • Apollo Burgers, 12012 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, Closed: Dec. 12, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 13
  • Lau Dong Que Restaurant, 9066 Bolsa Ave., Westminster, Closed: Dec. 16, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 17
  • L’amai Fusion, 9550 Bolsa Ave., Suite 115-F, Westminster, Closed: Dec. 16, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 16
  • Biyako, 512 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 19, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Ho-Toys Chinese Food, 734 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 18, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 19
  • Cuzcatlan, 1330 S. Magnolia Ave., Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 18, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 19
  • Long’s Kitchen, 15435 Jeffrey Road, Suite 103, Irvine, Closed: Dec. 18,Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Dec. 18
  • McKenna’s Tea Cottage, 810 Electric Ave., Seal Beach, Closed: Dec. 16, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 17
  • Woodfire Kabob at Laguna Hills Mall, 24155 Laguna Hills Mall, Suite 1055, Laguna Hills, Closed: Dec. 16, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 18
  • Mariscos Los Primos, 821 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 16, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 17
  • Acai Republic, 1109 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, Closed: Dec. 10, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Dec. 17

The County of Orange has been targeted by yet another fake news attack about their U.S. Census outreach program

Posted on by Posted in Garden Grove, Orange County, Santa Ana, SAUSD, U.S. Census Leave a comment

Another fake news attack has been launched against the County of Orange as the SAUSD and the City of Santa Ana continue to chomp at the bits after the County opted to pay non-profits to promote next year’s U.S. Census in Santa Ana and Tustin.

This time the media source in question is alleging that the County is paying the City of Garden Grove to market the Census, which seems to run counter to the County’s arguments that they prefer not to work with civic agencies.

The truth of the matter is that what was actually funded in Garden Grove was a nonprofit by the name of the Community Action Partnership. They are going to subcontract with the City of Garden Grove to do a small part of the Census outreach. This situation is very different from giving all of the money to the City of Santa Ana and the SAUSD with none of it going to the community clinics/non-profits.

Subcontracting part of the work with the City of Garden Grove illustrates how the Community Action Partnership nonprofit is realistic and wise in knowing where the money is best used to reach different segments of the hard to reach population, as opposed to the one size fits all approach offered by the City of Santa Ana and the SAUSD.

And this latest fake news attack ignores the fact that both the SAUSD and the City of Santa Ana are already getting paid to market the Census. You can see this on the SAUSD’s home page (as seen above).

For some reason though the City of Santa Ana makes zero mention of the Census on their own home page! However they just announced a series of Census workshops what will be held at the Santa Ana public libraries. So clearly the City of Santa Ana has money to promote the Census and they are already doing it!

The City Council takes action to curb the abuse of homeless resources in Santa Ana

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The Santa Ana City Council during its closed session meeting last night, Dec. 17, 2019, voted unanimously to authorize the City Attorney to take legal action to curb the abuse of its homeless resources by others.

The Council voted to bring action against those cities, the county and any other entities engaging in an organized effort to transport homeless individuals out of their area to Santa Ana.

Council members also unanimously authorized bringing legal action against the Mental Health Association of Orange County to ensure that its operations in Santa Ana are nuisance-free.

Additionally, the Council directed City staff to proceed with the existing cross-complaint against the County of Orange and other Orange County cities to:

  1. Address the release of jail inmates in Santa Ana;
  2. Object to the County’s planned homeless shelter site on Yale Street in Santa Ana; and
  3. Ensure that social service providers contracting with the County do not disproportionally impact Santa Ana.

“Through no fault of our own, an undue burden in this countywide humanitarian crisis has been placed on Santa Ana’s homeless shelters, social services, neighborhoods and resources,” Santa Ana City Manager Kristine Ridge said today.

In 2018, the City of Santa Ana conducted a point-in-time count of the homeless living in the city and found that over 50 percent of that population had arrived in Santa Ana from other parts of the county.

The City has been spending nearly $17 million annually on homelessness-related matters and expects that to increase to $25 million in the current fiscal year.

More information about Santa Ana’s efforts to address homelessness is available at santa-ana.org/homelessness/interim-homeless-shelter-link/santa-ana-homeless-services-data-dashboard.

Why Orange County is promoting the Census without the help of the City of Santa Ana and the SAUSD

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Federal Government, Orange County, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

A fake news scandal has erupted regarding grants for promoting the upcoming U.S. Census here in Santa Ana. It has been reported that the County of Orange has chosen not to give such grants to the SAUSD and the City of Santa Ana as some sort of payback because of a proposed homeless shelter. As usual it turns out there is far more to this story – that has not been reported.

Did you know that the Federal grants to market the Census were allocated in 7 Zones? Santa Ana was looped in with Tustin in Zone 5. Here are the O.C. Zones:

  1. Fullerton, La Habra, *Buena Park, *Placentia
  2. Anaheim, *Buena Park, Orange, *Placentia, *Stanton
  3. Garden Grove, *Stanton
  4. Westminster
  5. Santa Ana, Tustin
  6. Irvine
  7. Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach

The County of Orange received $1,555,519 from the California Complete Count office, with $699,983 set aside for outreach and the remainder set aside to cover promotional and outreach materials, media and advertising campaign, the establishment of Question Assistance Centers and Non-Response Follow Up plan, and personnel. The focus of this money is to reach what are referred to as Hard to Count (HTC) populations.

Why would the County of Orange pay the City of Santa Ana and the SAUSD to reach the HTC populations in Zone 5 when those agencies do not extend into Tustin, which, as noted above, is part of Zone 5?

Furthermore HTC, many of whom are immigrants, are unlikely to trust a government agency when filling out a census form because of the fear of deportation, as noted by Supervisors Andrew Do and Doug Chaffee.

What the County opted to do instead was to find “boots on the ground” trusted messengers in the 7 zones. Here is how the grants were allocated originally in the 7 zones, by the evaluation committee:

  1. Multi-Ethnic Collaborative Community Agencies (MECCA)/Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights/Vision y Compromiso
  2. Altamed Health Services Corporation (Altamed)/MECCA/Vision y Compromiso
  3. Community Action Partnership of Orange County
  4. MECCA
  5. Santa Ana Unified School District/City of Santa Ana
  6. MECCA/CHIRLA
  7. Latino Health Access/MECCA

Given that zone 5 includes the city of Tustin and the goal is to reach as many of the HTC population as possible through community based trusted messengers the evaluation committee’s recommendation for Zone 5 was reconsidered. It was recommended that the Zone 5 grants be awarded to community based organizations for a total of $265,877. Here are the organizations that got the revised grants:

  • Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA)
  • Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)Vision y Compromiso
  • AltaMed Health Services Corporation (AltaMed)/MECCA/Vision y Compromiso
  • Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP-OC)
  • MECCA
  • AltaMed/Latino Health Access/MECCA/CHIRLA/Vision y Compromiso
  • MECCA/CHIRLA
  • Latino Health Access/MECCA

By the way, the community based organizations that were selected for all the other zones were all non-profits – no city or school districts got the grants. Don’t feel bad for the City of Santa Ana and the SAUSD. Did you know that both of these agencies already got grants from the Feds to promote the Census? There is no scandal here folks, just sensationalized reporting.

The Federal Government identified the following populations as the Hard to Count (HTC):

• Young children
• Highly mobile persons
• Racial and ethnic minorities
• Non-English speakers
• Low income persons
• Persons experiencing homelessness
• Undocumented immigrants
• Persons who distrust the government
• LGBTQ persons
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities
• Persons who do not live in traditional housing

Importance of the Census

Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Orange County benefits the most when the census counts everyone. When you respond to the census, you help Orange County gets its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds for programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, Head Start, and Highway Planning and Construction. The top five programs by amount of funds that used census-based population numbers and population characteristics to determine fund distribution in fiscal year 2015 were: Medicaid ($311 billion); the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP $71 billion); Medicare Part B ($70 billion); Highway Planning and Construction ($38 billion); and the Federal Pell Grant program ($29.9 billion), according to a Census report (for a full listing of programs see page 3 here.)

This year’s Cochino List includes John’s Chinese Food

Posted on by 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 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 Dec. 5 to Dec. 13. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

  • John’s Chinese Food, 12506 Westminster Ave., Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 10, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 11
  • Z’s Kitchen, 3138 E. Chapman Ave., Suite B, Orange, Closed: Dec. 12, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Yigah, 8562 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove, Closed: Dec. , Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 6
  • Starbucks Coffee, 226 Marine Drive, Newport Beach, Closed: Dec. 10, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Dec. 10
  • Zack’s, 405 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, Closed: Dec. 10, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 11

The OCDA received a $1.47 M grant to combat DUIs

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is proud to announce that it has been chosen by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to continue serving as the statewide traffic safety training agency in an ongoing effort to combat drugged and drunk driving across California.

OTS has awarded the OCDA two grants totaling $1.47 million in order to fund the office’s Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driver Vertical Prosecution Program, which dedicates eight prosecutors to prosecuting drugged and drunk driving cases, as well as continue the California Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Network, which trains California law enforcement and prosecutors on how to effectively prosecute driving under the influence cases.

Unfortunately, the number of drug-impaired driving cases investigated and prosecuted across California has increased in the wake of the state’s 2016 decriminalization of marijuana.

“I have committed my public safety career to stopping drunk and drugged driving.” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The unnecessary loss of life is why I, as a member of the State Assembly, authored the Steve Ambriz Act to require every Californian who wants a driver’s license to sign a form that states he or she has been advised that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, impairs the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, and if they do so anyway and someone is killed, they can be charged with murder.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has taken the statewide lead in providing police officers and prosecutors with cutting edge training to hold drugged and drunk drivers accountable and make California streets safer.”

OCDA was awarded $754,563 for the Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driver Vertical Prosecution Program and $722,513 for the California Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Network.

In 2011, OCDA developed a multi-agency collaborative driving under the influence of drugs prosecution, investigation and toxicology model which has served as the innovative foundation to develop a statewide program.

In October 2016, OCDA expanded its traffic safety training role to the Southern California region, serving as the lead agency in prosecution and law enforcement training. This includes the delivery of live trainings, roundtables, training videos, and legal updates. In 2017, OCDA began to develop a statewide training program through its administration of the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) Training Network. As part of this process, OCDA has begun to align law enforcement and prosecution agencies throughout the state to create a massive statewide training, resource and education network. This responsibility offers agencies throughout the state the opportunity to share expertise in the area of traffic safety as the OCDA works in partnership to proactively investigate and prosecute traffic related crimes, increasing public safety in all jurisdictions throughoutCalifornia.

During the 2019 grant year, our TSRP team conducted more than 50 trainings to prosecutors, peace officers, toxicologists, community members, and policymakers about the dangers, investigation, and prosecution of driving under the influence of drugs

As part of these OTS grants, OCDA maintains eight vertical DUI-Drug prosecutors assigned throughout Orange County.

These deputy district attorneys review, file and prosecute nearly all drug-impaired driving cases filed in Orange County.

Collectively in the 2019 grant year, OCDA prosecutors filed charges on more than 1,000 Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) and combination cases submitted by police agencies and secured more than 400 convictions in DUID and combination cases.

This year, the eight prosecutors assigned to the program are Deputy District Attorneys Matthew Bradbury and Jessica Le of Central Justice Center, Alex Brown and Andrea Schug of West Justice Center, Charles Henninger and Katheryn Fernandez of Harbor Justice Center, and Ben Atienza and Christina Cornejo of North Justice Center.

The Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driver Vertical Prosecution Program grant is overseen by Assistant District Attorneys Suzie Price and Brock Zimmon. The TSRP Training Network grant is under the supervision of Senior Assistant District Attorney Keith Bogardus and Assistant District Attorney Brock Zimmon. The TSRP team consists of Deputy District Attorneys Hoon Chang and Dalia Wahab and OCDA Investigator Eric Franke.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This week’s Cochino List includes Tortilleria Acapulco

Posted on by 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 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 Nov. 28 to Dec. 6. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

  • Tortilleria Acapulco, 2429 W. McFadden Ave., Suite 108, Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 2, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 3
  • El Sahuayo Mexican Food, 1717 S. Main St., Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 2, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 4
  • Coach’s Sports Grill, 1025 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, Closed: Dec. 5, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 6
  • Laguna Beach Brewery & Grille, 237 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, Closed: Dec. 4, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Ren Asian Bistro, 3935 Portola Parkway, Irvine, Closed: Dec. 4, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit, Reopened: Dec. 4
  • 7-Eleven, 381 E. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, Closed: Dec. 4, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Dec. 4
  • Little Caesars, 377 E. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, Closed: Dec. 4, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Dec. 4
  • Sushi Town, 2346 Newport Blvd., Suite B-3, Costa Mesa, Closed: Dec. 4, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 5
  • Subway, 371 E. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, Closed: Dec. 4, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Dec. 4
  • Sunrise Supermarket, 9380 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, Closed: Dec. 4, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Dec. 5
  • Hong Kong Cafe at Asian Garden Mall, 9200 Bolsa Ave., Suite 117, Westminster, Closed: Dec. 3, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Fullerton School District Nutrition Center, 389 W. Truslow Ave., Fullerton, Closed: Dec. 3, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 3
  • Le Pain Quotidien at Fashion Island, 1103 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, Closed: Dec. 3, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit, Reopened: Dec. 3
  • Zov’s at John Wayne Airport, 18601 Airport Way, Suite 135, Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 3, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Dec. 4
  • Circle B, 500 S. Highland Ave., Fullerton, Closed: Dec. 3, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 4
  • Kitchen at American Legion Post 354, 8071 Whitaker Ave., Buena Park, Closed: Dec. 2, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 3
  • Snowopolis, 400 W. Disney Way, Suite 184, Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 2, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit
  • Burger Lounge, 279 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, Closed: Nov. 30, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Nov. 30
  • Update: T.P. Banh Bao 2.5 at 10032 McFadden Ave., Westminster, which was ordered closed Nov. 26 because of insufficient hot water, was allowed to reopen Dec. 2.