To enhance mental health and support suicide prevention efforts, and in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Vice Chairman Andrew Do and Supervisor Lisa Bartlett have partnered to create the first ever Orange County Office of Suicide Prevention.
“Orange County has been battling an upward trend in suicides for years,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. “COVID-19 has only exacerbated the root causes of suicides, like mental illness and substance abuse. The Office of Suicide Prevention will be yet another avenue of support for people in need, alongside our new regional Wellness Hubs where residents can access mental health services regardless of insurance.”
The Office of Suicide Prevention will collaborate with Mind OC to bolster the Community Suicide Prevention Initiative (CSPI), which was approved by the Board in March of 2019, and will be responsible for integrating new and existing services and support throughout the entire County.
“With the onset of COVID-19, this year has been extremely stressful and emotional for many people, especially those already struggling with mental health issues,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “Now, more than ever, people who are having a hard time coping and may be contemplating suicide, need that additional support to get them through this difficult time,” she continued. The Office of Suicide Prevention, together with the new BeWellOC campus opening later this year, will provide critical components to the holistic system of care for mental and behavioral health,” she said.
The item will come before the Board on Tuesday, October 6, for review and consideration.
Monthly Archives: September 2020
Governor Newsom signs Umberg Price Gouging Bill into law
(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Orange County) announced that Senate Bill 1196 (SB 1196), a bill that would protect Californians from price gouging during an emergency, has been signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Price gouging refers to the criminal act of raising the prices of essential goods more than 10% during an emergency.
“California is no longer in the midst of just one emergency, but now several as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to wildfire season. Preserving access to essential goods that are necessary to protect the health and welfare of those affected by these crises is absolutely imperative,” said Senator Umberg. “This decisive action ensures that fewer of our neighbors will be victims of price gouging.”
“As Californians grapple with hardships caused by devastating wildfires and the coronavirus pandemic, it is critical that we, as state leaders, do everything we can to protect against illegal price gouging,” said Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “SB 1196 strengthens California’s price gouging laws and puts prosecutors in a better position to go after bad actors. We thank Senator Umberg for championing a new law that will better the lives of our residents.”
Currently, under California Penal Code Section 396, price gouging is illegal and punishable by law during a declared state of emergency. However, the COVID-19 crisis and the recent wildfires California has experienced have shown a need to update these provisions. Senate Bill 1196 would codify the Governor’s authority to enact many of the provisions of his Executive Order N-44-20 on the subject from earlier this year.
“Opportunists have been preying on the public’s fear and panic to take advantage of a loophole in the law to overcharge customers,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “This important legislation will ensure that loophole is closed and that those who are capitalizing on terror and anxiety during an emergency are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Through the hard work and dedication of Sen. Umberg and our partner offices, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to stand up and fight to protect consumers.”
“The need to effectively protect consumers becomes more critical during times of emergency. This is why we are fighting alongside Senator Umberg for SB 1196 to become law,” said San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan. “This law will close a troubling loophole in California’s price gouging law, and ensure that all sellers — brick-and-mortar stores or online business, previous sellers or new market entrants — are prohibited from preying on our state’s consumers during a declared emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Price gouging is profiteering, and more than six months into the pandemic we are still seeing exorbitant prices for critical items like masks and hand sanitizer,” said Claudia Deeg, CALPIRG Associate. “The signing of Senate Bill 1196 sends a clear message that this predatory behavior will not be tolerated. We are grateful to Senator Umberg and Attorney General Becerra for their hard work to protect consumers and to Gov. Newsom for signing this bill into law.”
Follow Senator Umberg on Facebook and Twitter.
Senator Thomas Umberg represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Los Alamitos,Midway City, Orange, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, and Westminster. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, and former federal prosecutor. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.
Santa Ana based student debt relief company must pay $835K to the FTC
The operators of a student loan debt relief scheme will pay at least $835,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that they charged illegal upfront fees and made false promises to consumers struggling with student loan debt.
The settlement resolves FTC litigation against Carey G. Howe, Anna C. Howe, Shunmin Hsu, Ruddy Palacios, and Oliver Pomazi, five individuals who were named as defendants in the agency’s complaint against Arete Financial Group (based in Santa Ana) and several related companies.
In the complaint filed in 2019, the FTC alleged that Arete and the other defendants pretended to be affiliated with the Department of Education and deceptively promised loan forgiveness, consolidation, and repayment programs to reduce or eliminate monthly payments and principal balances.
Litigation continues against other defendants in the case, Jay Singh and the two corporate defendants he controls, as well as against seven defaulted corporate defendants.
The order bans the settling defendants from providing student loan debt relief services, prohibits them from violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and includes a monetary judgment of $43.3 million, which is partially suspended due to an inability to pay. The defendants will be required to surrender at least $835,000 and additional assets, which will be used for consumer redress. The order also requires the defendants’ full cooperation in this ongoing case and any related investigation.
The Commission vote approving the stipulated final order was 3-0-2, with Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Christine S. Wilson recorded as not participating. The FTC filed the proposed orderin the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
NOTE: Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).
Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
PRESS RELEASE REFERENCE: FTC Stops Student Loan Debt Relief Scheme that Allegedly Bilked Consumers out of Millions
Another 2020 virtual Santa Ana City Council and Mayoral Candidates Forum set for tonight
The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual Santa Ana City Council and Mayoral candidates forum tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Please register here.
The Chamber states on their website:
Through our moderated candidate forums, the public can get nonpartisan candidate information and listen to questions answered by the candidates. All candidate forums are free and open to the general public. Although, this is a free event we need to you to pre-register.
Here are the candidates:
Ward One
- Tony Adame – Entrepeneur/CEO – the Founder of the Suavecito Company – info@tonyadame.com. Candidate Statement.
- Cynthia Contreras – Orange County Probation Coordinator. Chindirella2@yahoo.com. Candidate Statement.
- Thai Viet Phan – An attorney and a Santa Ana Planning Commissioner. Info@thaivietphan.com. Candidate Statement.
- Thomas Gordon – School Facilities Manager. No candidate statement. thomas.anthony.gordon@gmail.com.
Ward Three
- Jeffrey Katz – an attorney and President of the Floral Park Neighborhood Association. Vote4katz@gmail.com. http://vote4katz.com/
- Jessie Lopez – She is an active coalition member of Rise Up Willowick. and a member of the Orange County Democratic Party Central Committee. Jessie@votejessielopez.com
- Jose “Joe” Madueña – Irishjoe2030@yahoo.com
- Mark McLoughlin – a Santa Ana Planning Commissioner. McloughlinForCityCouncil@gmail.com https://mcloughlinforcitycouncil.com/
- Danny Vega – the founder of the the Facebook page, Neighbors of Santa Ana. https://vegaforcouncil.com/. Vegaforcouncil@gmail.com.
- Jannelle Welker – She works for O.C. Supervisor Doug Chaffee. Jannelle@votewelker.com
Ward Five
- Johnathan Ryan Hernandez – Community Health Worker. johnathan@hernandezforsantaana.org. Candidate Statement.
- Victor Mendez – Businessman/Car Dealer. vicdmendez@gmail.com. Candidate Statement.
- Laura Perez – Property Management Coordinator. Lauraperez7428@gmail.com. Candidate Statement.
- Juan Villegas, Councilman/Sheriff Officer – juan@juanvillegas.com. Candidate Statment.
Mayor
- Cecilia Iglesas -Educator/Taxpayer Advocate. Iglesias4mayor@gmail.com. Candidate Statement.
- Claudia C. Alvarez – Prosecutor/College Trustee. Alvarez4mayor@gmail.com. Candidate Statement.
- George Collins – Business Owner. Candidate Statement.
- Mark I. Lopez – Business Owner. Tango1mikemike@aol.com. No candidate statement.
- Vincente Sarmiento – Councilmember, City of Santa Ana/Businessman. info@sarmientoformayor.com. Candidate Statement.
- Jose Solorio – Councilmember/Father. jsolorio@aol.com. Candidate Statement.
Free bed mattress recycling service now available in Orange County
SANTA ANA, Calif., September 29, 2020 – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) and the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) today announced a new service at OC’s landfills: free commercial and residential mattress recycling through the Bye Bye Mattress program.
Beginning September 2020, OCWR will no longer bury the mattresses it receives from haulers’ curbside bulky item pick-ups and those dropped off at the Frank R. Bowerman (commercial only), Prima Deshecha (commercial and public) and Olinda Alpha landfills (commercial and public). The MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress program allows the County to curate mattresses on site for recycling, saving valuable landfill capacity, a critical resource in today’s local waste management system.
“We are pleased to collaborate with OC Waste & Recycling to include landfills in the resource recovery of mattresses from the waste stream,” said Tyler Douthitt, one of MRC’s Southern California program coordinators. “Our partnership helps preserve local resources and boosts convenience for residents and businesses.”
To participate in the program, residents may contact their local waste hauler for a free bulky item pick up, or take items directly to the Olinda Alpha or Prima Deshecha landfills. Most standard mattresses and box springs will be accepted and must be separated from trash. Regular landfill fees apply if bringing waste to the landfill with mattresses.
Non-accepted items include:
- Severely damaged, wet, or twisted mattresses or box springs
- Contaminated, soiled or infested items (bed bugs)
- Futon frames, bases or furniture (sofa beds)
- Waterbeds or camping air mattresses
The addition of local landfill sites is especially valuable at a time when some participating retail organizations may have altered their hours of operation or collection procedures and as some public collection events have altered their hours of operation or collection procedures and as some public collection events have been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OC landfills are among the largest in the state and receive more than five million tons of waste annually. Frank R. Bowerman will provide a free drop-off program for commercial volume, while Prima Deshecha and Olinda Alpha will be available to residents. OCWR estimates the program will divert approximately 15,000 mattresses each year from the landfill.
For additional details and participating landfill operating hours and locations, residents can check the Frequently Asked Questions and information page at OCLandfills.com/mattress and follow @OCWaste social media for updates. To learn more about MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress program visit ByeByeMattress.com.
About Mattress Recycling Council & Bye Bye Mattress
The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) is a nonprofit organization that operates recycling programs in states that have passed mattress recycling laws: California, Connecticut and Rhode Island. MRC was founded by the bedding industry and recycles more than 1.5 million mattresses each year. For more information about MRC, go to MattressRecyclingCouncil.org. To learn how to recycle your mattress or to find a collection location or event near you, visit ByeByeMattress.com.
About OC Waste & Recycling
OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services,
operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises
and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future
generations. The department manages one of the nation’s premier solid waste disposal systems, serving
residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active
landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website oclandfills.com.
Metallic balloons continue to cause power outages
From in person to virtual, celebrations from graduations to birthdays have continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, despite the virtual celebrations, so have the power outages and electrical safety hazards caused by adrift metallic balloons, though fewer in number but still troubling.
Southern California Edison (SCE) — which experiences on average nearly three balloon-caused outages daily, including 1,022 last year — has seen that number rise to nearly four outages a day in May (686) and nearly five a day in June (836) over the last five years, including 128 and 152, respectively, in those months last year. This is compared to about one per day (28) in the lowest month of December.
When tangled in electrical equipment, the balloons’ metallic coating is the conductor — or something that easily transmits electricity — that leads to short-circuits, outages and sometimes downed power lines.
“Even one released metallic balloon endangering public safety and potentially causing a power outage is one too many,” said Andrew Martinez, vice president of Safety, Security and Business Resiliency at SCE. “Nobody should ever release balloons outdoors and they should always be kept tied to a weight as state law requires to prevent them from even unintentionally floating away.”
Unintentional or otherwise, an even greater threat to public safety occurs when metallic balloons make contact with electrical equipment and bring down power lines — as they did 98 times last year — potentially leading to wildfires, serious injuries and property damage. For more information on metallic balloon outages by the numbers, visit https://energized.edison.com/stories/celebrations-go-virtual-but-metallic-balloon-hazards-remain-all-too-real.
Metallic Balloon Safety Tips
• Metallic balloons should never be released outdoors.
• Metallic balloons should always be tied to a weight.
• Stores and vendors should only sell properly weighted balloons.
• Keep the balloons indoors when possible.
• Never try to retrieve balloons tangled in power lines or electrical equipment. Call 9-1-1 instead.
• Cut the knot or puncture balloons before disposing of them.
Los Peligros de los Globos Metalizados Siguen Siendo Muy Reales
Las celebraciones de las graduaciones y los cumpleaños han continuado durante la pandemia de COVID-19, aunque ahora son virtuales. Lamentablemente, a pesar de estas celebraciones virtuales, los apagones y los riesgos eléctricos provocados por los globos metalizados que vuelan a la deriva siguen siendo una realidad, aunque en menor cantidad pero siempre preocupantes.
Southern California Edison, que en promedio enfrenta unos tres apagones diarios provocados por globos, incluyendo 1,022 a lo largo del año pasado, ha observado un aumento a casi cuatro apagones diarios en mayo (686) y a casi cinco diarios en junio (836) durante los últimos cinco años, incluyendo 128 y 152, respectivamente, en dichos meses del año pasado. Esto se compara con alrededor de uno al día (28) en el mes más bajo (diciembre).
Cuando se enreda en equipos eléctricos, el recubrimiento metálico de los globos es el conductor, o algo que transmite electricidad fácilmente, que conduce a cortocircuitos, interrupciones y, a veces, líneas eléctricas derribadas.
“Basta un solo globo metalizado que se suelta al aire libre para poner en peligro la seguridad pública y potencialmente provocar un apagón”, dijo Andrew Martinez, vicepresidente de Protección, Seguridad y Flexibilidad Empresarial de SCE. “Nadie debería soltar los globos al aire libre y estos siempre deben mantenerse amarrados a una pesa, tal como lo exigen las leyes estatales, para evitar que accidentalmente se vuelen”.
Accidentalmente o de otra manera, una amenaza aún mayor para la seguridad pública ocurre cuando los globos metalizados entran en contacto con equipos eléctricos y provocan la caída de los cables eléctricos, como sucedió 98 veces el año pasado, lo que puede producir incendios, lesiones graves y daños materiales. Para obtener más información sobre las interrupciones de globos metálicos por los números, visite https://energized.edison.com/stories/celebrations-go-virtual-but-metallic-balloon-hazards-remain-all-too-real.
Consejos de seguridad para los globos metalizados
• Los globos metalizados jamás deben soltarse al aire libre.
• Los globos metalizados deben estar siempre amarrados a una pesa.
• Los negocios y comerciantes deben vender únicamente globos amarrados a las pesas adecuadas.
• Mantenga los globos adentro, si es posible.
• Nunca intente recuperar globos enredados en equipos o cables eléctricos; mejor llame al 911.
• Corte el nudo o pinche los globos antes de colocarlos en la basura.
BLM organizer facing felony charges after driving into O.C. Trump supporters
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A protest organizer has been charged with attempted murder, six counts of assault with a deadly weapon and multiple other felonies in connection with pepper spraying several counter protesters and then driving her car through the crowd, running over the head of one protester and breaking the leg of another, during a protest in Yorba Linda Saturday.
Tatiana Rita Turner, 40, of Long Beach, has been charged with one felony count of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, six felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, including one causing great bodily injury, one felony count of mayhem, and two felony counts of the use of pepper spray by a felon. Turner faces a maximum sentence of seven years to life plus 13 years and four months in state prison if convicted on all charges. She is scheduled to be arraigned in CJ1 today.
She has previous felony convictions for drug sales and domestic violence.
On September 26, 2020, Turner helped her protest group organize the March 4 Equality protest outside of the Yorba Linda Library in conjunction with other Black Lives Matter Groups. Many protesters in that group were outfitted with helmets, tactical vests, riot shields, and tasers. At the same time a larger group of President Trump supporters had also planned a rally in the same area. The two groups converged on each other and Turner is accused of pepper spraying two counter protesters during the confrontation.
Turner is accused of waving a wooden baton at protesters before getting in her car and driving through the crowd, running over the head of one woman and breaking the leg of a man. She was stopped a short while later by Sheriff’s deputies.
“The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will not tolerate these professional militant organizers who are armed with weapons and teaching defensive tactics to counter police efforts to curb violence,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “We support the right to peacefully protest, but these are not peaceful protests. These are organized protests that encourage others to engage in civil disobedience. When pepper spray and other displays of force failed, she positioned her vehicle to be used as a backup weapon and she used that vehicle as a deadly weapon, willing to injure and kill those who stood in her way. She then tried to evade a pursuit until stopped. We are reviewing all surveillance footage to identify other suspects, regardless of what side of the political aisle they are on. We will prosecute anyone using force or unlawful intimidation tactics against any person or group. My advice: stay away from these events. They are not intended to be peaceful. Despite the best of intentions, there are now participants who are there for the sole purpose of escalating to unlawful violence, which is no doubt going to result in injuries, possible deaths, arrests and prosecutions. While we will always defend the right to peacefully protest, I am urging you to just stay away.”
Deputy District Attorney Jake Jondle of Special Prosecutions is prosecuting this case.
The SAPD has arrested the woman who stole an Amazon delivery van
The wanted suspect in the 07/31/2020 vehicle theft of an Amazon delivery van has been identified and arrested.
Suspect Description: Hispanic, Female, light skin, 20-30 years old, medium build, brown hair, and wearing a grey shirt and black leggings.
On 07/31/2020, at approximately 3:10 PM, an Amazon driver reported that his Amazon delivery van was stolen while delivering a package in the area of Civic Center Drive and Pacific Avenue.
While making a delivery, the victim saw a female drive away in his van from the area. After the theft, Santa Ana Police Officers located the van unoccupied in the area of 5th Street and Nantucket Place. Video surveillance captured the female park the van in the street and running away from it.
Anyone with information on suspect’s identity or whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Romero at (714) 245-8529 or BRomero@santa-ana.org
Katz is our pick for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3
The ballots for the Nov.3 election should be coming to our mailboxes around Oct. 5 but the race for Ward 3 on the Santa Ana City Council appears to be all but over – only three of the five candidates appear to have mounted actual campaigns and one of them, Jessie Lopez, is far too liberal to actually prevail.
That leaves two viable candidates – Mark McLouglin and Jeffrey Katz.
I was hoping that Janelle Welker would be able to do more as a candidate but I suspect that fundraising has been difficult for the first-time candidate.
The aforementioned Lopez has put up a few yard signs but I have not seen any walk pieces or mail from her campaign yet.
Many Ward 3 voters are struggling with who to back, McLoughlin or Katz. They both opposed the 2525 N. Main St. apartment development. But Katz did more than that. As an attorney he represented the Park Santiago Neighborhood for free as they litigated against the apartment developer.
The problems caused by the homeless are likely the top issue in Ward 3 and on that front Katz has a long history of working hard to resolve this issue. He even posted an essay on this subject on his website.
McLoughlin has zero issues on his campaign website, just a big picture of his face.
If you are a fan of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido then McLoughlin is your guy. McLoughlin has been Pulido’s wingman for over 20 years.
If you are looking for new leadership that might actually accomplish something at City Hall then Katz is your guy. He is innovative, smart and caring – all the exact qualities we should be looking for from our City Council candidates. If you would like to help Katz click here.
We don’t often endorse candidates at this point but we are making an exception this time. Katz has our full support in Ward 3.
The SAPD arrested several armed gang suspects for felony violations
While conducting patrol checks this past weekend in different areas of Santa Ana after an increase in gang activity, SAPD police officers seized the following, according to their Twitter account:
- loaded 9 mm pistol semi-automatic w/ 25 rounds inside a high capacity magazine
- loaded stolen .40 ca. semi-automatic pistol
- loaded “M&P shield” semi-automatic pistol
All of the suspects involved were arrested for felony violations. The SAPD however did not release their names.
Fair Food Drive-Thru extended into October at the OC Fair & Event Center
The drive-up food fun will continue through October, making the fall even sweeter for fans of delicious fair fare.
The Fair Food Drive-Thru will take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25 at OC Fair & Event Center. New hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. There is no parking and no entrance fee. Guests drive up and order from the vendors and some take credit cards only.
Concessionaires remaining through October are Dole Whip, Funnel Cake, Roasted Corn, Juicy’s, Fried A Fair and Who Fried the Cheese.
On Oct. 2, these vendors will be added to the lineup: Australian Battered Potatoes, Chicken Charlie’s, Kettle Corn, Mom’s Bakeshoppe, Pink’s Hot Dogs and Old Tyme Ice Cream. And JP’s Old West Cinnamon Rolls joins the fun on Oct. 9.
Menu items will vary and new choices will be added each week. View the weekly maps and menus here: ocfair.com/drivethru.
Victim sexually abused by a former SAUSD after-school teacher files a lawsuit
Irvine, California – Attorneys representing Jane STAA Doe, a former student at the Greenville Fundamental School, an elementary school in Santa Ana California, announced the filing of a lawsuit against the school, the Santa Ana Unified School District, and former after-school teacher Eddy Bustamante Infante. Click Here for Complaint
The suit alleges that the school and the District knew that Infante had engaged in unlawful sexually-related conduct with minors in the past and/or was continuing to engage in such conduct yet failed to disclose this information to parents and law enforcement.
In December 2019, Infante pled guilty to four felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor younger than 14. The Plaintiff was one of the minors involved in the criminal case. Infante was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his crimes.
According to the complaint, in or around Spring 2015 until 2016, Infante sexually harassed, abused and molested JANE STAA DOE, who then no older than 8.
The complaint alleges that the abuse took place in classrooms and on the campus of Greenville Fundamental School where Infante was employed as a teacher for the Think About after-school program.
Morgan Stewart, an attorney for the Plaintiff and her family said, “This tragedy was preventable by Greenville Fundamental School and the Santa Ana Unified School District. They had ample warning that Infante was a danger to children, yet they concealed this information from my clients and other parents. They failed to properly hire, train, or supervise Infante.”
Said Stewart’s co-counsel, Ronald Labriola of The Senators (Ret.) Firm: “Our clients and the others that Infante victimized will suffer from this abuse for the rest of their young lives. Infante has been held accountable by being imprisoned. Now, the Santa Ana Unified School District and its officials who failed protect these victims from Infante must be held accountable.“
Manly, Stewart & Finaldi is California’s leading law firm representing child victims of sexual abuse. The firm has represented more than 150 victims of clergy sexual abuse in California and hundreds of others throughout the United States. The firm also represented plaintiffs in the $140,000,000 settlement against LAUSD in the Miramonte case, the largest sex abuse settlement against a School District in the US. In 2018 the firm settled cases against the Torrance Unified School District for $31 million on behalf of alleged victims of former wrestling coach and convicted child molester Thomas Snider, against Los Angeles Unified School district for $8 million in cases involving former football coach and convicted child molester Jamie Jimenez and for $14 million in cases involving former Los Angeles Unified District employee Ronnie Lee Roman.
The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP, provides high-quality legal representation to victims of childhood sexual abuse. Over the past four years, the Firm represented sexual abuse victims in cases that settled with LAUSD for over $220 Million. The Firm just recently achieved a $31 Million settlement with the Torrance Unified School District for victims who were sexually abused by their wrestling coach.
Mosquito spraying treatment at Fairhaven Memorial Park set for Oct. 1
In an effort to reduce the number of mosquitoes, interrupt virus transmission such as West Nile virus, and to protect the public from mosquito-borne diseases, the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) will be conducting a Wide Area Larvicide Spray (WALS) treatment via truck at the following Santa Ana location:
Fairhaven Memorial Park
1702 Fairhaven Ave.
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
For more information and to see the most up-to-date treatment schedule: https://www.ocvector.org/ground-based-mosquito-control-efforts.
Tratamiento Contra Mosquitos en Fairhaven Memorial Park el 1 de Oct.
En un esfuerzo por reducir la cantidad de mosquitos, interrumpir la transmisión de virus como el virus del Nilo Occidental, y para proteger al público de enfermedades transmitidas por mosquitos, el Distrito de Control de Mosquitos y Vectores del Condado de Orange (OCMVCD) llevará a cabo un tratamiento de rociado de larvicidas de área amplia en la siguiente ubicación de Santa Ana:
Fairhaven Memorial Park
1702 Fairhaven Ave.
jueves, 1 de octubre de 2020
6 p.m. a las 7:30 p.m.
Los horarios de tratamiento también se pueden encontrar en el sitio web de OCMVCD: www.ocvector.org/ground-based-mosquito-control-efforts
O.C. election observer guidelines under COVID-19 released
SANTA ANA, CA – September 25, 2020 – Each election in Orange County, the Orange County Registrar of Voters invites members of the public to observe the election process. Election observers are permitted to observe Vote Center operations, including opening and closing procedures, view all activities at the central counting site, view mail ballot and provisional ballot processing, and much more.
As a result of COVID-19 impacting election operations, the Orange County Registrar of Voters is taking several steps to provide updated information on how election observation can be conducted safely to the public.
The November 2020 Election Observer Guidelines Handbook is now available in the Orange County Registrar of Voters’ online Election Library. The Handbook details election observation guidelines at Vote Centers and how to observe ballot processing both in-person and remotely.
Beginning October 1, 2020, members of the public may apply online to observe ballot processing remotely, and access an online training tool at ocvote.com/observe. Upon approval, individuals will be able to select what processes to view; however, certain processes will only be available for viewing at specific times when it is active. Opportunities to observe remotely will begin on October 7, 2020.
Quote by Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley:
“My team and I are committed to ensuring that voting and elections are conducted in an open and transparent manner with integrity that increases the public’s trust and confidence in elections in Orange County, even under COVID-19”. He continued, “These materials and trainings are offered to the public in advance so they are aware of what is permitted by law and how they can prepare ahead of time if they plan to observe election and voting procedures.”
All voters will receive a ballot through the mail for the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election and all voters can check their registration, re-register, and register to vote at ocvote.com. For more information, call 714-567-7600 or visit ocvote.com.
About the Registrar of Voters:
The Registrar of Voters is responsible for conducting elections in the County of Orange, the fifth largest voting jurisdiction in the United States with 1.6 million registered voters. We are a County agency, which receives funding from the County’s General Fund and periodic reimbursement from the federal government, the State of California and local jurisdictions. Read more >>
Blood Drive in Santa Ana set for Oct. 6
On Tuesday, October 6, Orange County’s District 1, in conjunction with the American Red Cross and Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana, is hosting a blood drive.
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana Blood Drive
• Date: Tuesday, October 6
• Time: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Location: Gym, Magnolia Science Academy
• Address: 2840 W. First St. Santa Ana, CA 92703
• Register: www.RedCrossBlood.org / Code: MSASA
“There are many ways to help our community during this pandemic, one of them is by donating blood if you’re a healthy individual,” said Supervisor Andrew Do. “Public health professionals agree that maintaining an adequate blood supply is vital to public health.”
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), every two seconds, a patient needs a blood transfusion. Due to the limitations caused by the pandemic, the number of blood donations has been dramatically reduced, at a time when it is needed the most.
“Donating blood is safe and only takes a little of your time,” said Supervisor Do. “Our actions now can save lives – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 and provide their plasma to those who are most in need.”
Making an Appointment to Donate Blood
People interested in donating blood can visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter the Sponsor Code: MSASA to schedule an appointment.
Donors can save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete the pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of the appointment.
COVID-19 Antibodies Testing
All blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. If you are fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis, your blood may have the antibodies that attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as a possible treatment for currently ill COVID-19 patients, so your donation could help save the lives of those fighting this disease!
Donating Guidelines
To donate, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs., and be in good health. Click here for answers to frequently asked questions on donating blood.