New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Orange County

O.C. Sheriff’s Deputy arrested for sexually assaulting Theo Lacy inmates

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Editor Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Police Brutality, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (Aug. 12, 2022): Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Arcadio D. Rodriguez, 30, has been arrested and is pending termination from employment for suspected sexual assault on multiple female inmates at the Theo Lacy Facility.

The Department became aware on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, when jail staff intercepted communication that described the misconduct. An investigation started immediately and the deputy was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 9.

Which Santa Ana City Council candidates will you vote for this November?

Rodriguez is suspected of establishing an inappropriate relationship with two female inmates at the Theo Lacy Facility. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted the female inmates separately on multiple occasions by touching them in a sexual manner over their clothes and showing them pornographic videos while in their housing locations. The assaults are suspected to have taken place starting in May 2022.

He was booked into Santa Ana Jail today on felony sexual activity between a peace officer and inmate in a jail facility, and misdemeanor charges of assault under the color of authority and possession of a cell phone in a custody facility.

“The suspected criminal actions of this deputy are inexcusable, especially for a person who swore to serve and protect our community,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “One of our most important duties is to provide for the care and wellbeing of the people in our jails. Any betrayal of that responsibility is not indicative of the environment in our jails, or reflective of the hard work of hundreds of deputies and professional staff in custody operations every day.

“I want our community to know how seriously I take these allegations and that I will hold accountable any deputy who chooses to be disloyal to their responsibilities as a peace officer through a swift process.

“I have notified the Office of Independent Review and provided them access to monitor and review this investigation to ensure objectivity and thoroughness.”

The case will be forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Unsecured O.C. property tax bills for FY 2022-23 mailed and available online

Posted on August 11, 2022 by Editor Posted in Orange County, Real Estate, Shari Freidenrich, Taxes Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. (August 11, 2022) – Orange County Treasurer Shari Freidenrich announced that 80,412 unsecured property tax bills totaling over $259 million for fiscal year 2022-23 have been mailed to the names of the property owners on the most recent tax roll. These unsecured property tax bills are available online at octreasurer.com/octaxbill.

Will you still vote for Sarmiento even though his family is suing the City of Santa Ana?

These unsecured property tax bills are primarily for business property, leased equipment, boats and aircraft and are due on August 31. Treasurer Shari L. Freidenrich recommends that taxpayers skip the line and pay online at octreasurer.com/octaxbill. There is no service fee to pay online by eCheck (bank account), and taxpayers can pay online up to midnight on August 31 and receive same-day credit and a receipt that can be printed or emailed.

In person payments are due by 5 p.m. at the County Service Center or can be dropped off in the Payment Depository Box located on Ross Street with adjacent metered parking on August 31 by midnight. Unsecured property tax bills not paid by the due date will be charged a 10 percent penalty plus a $75 collection fee. Taxpayers who pay by mail must have a U.S. Postal Service date stamp for August 31 or earlier. Taxpayers mailing the payment close to the due date should have payment envelopes hand cancelled by the U.S. Post Office and should view the information at octreasurer.com/postmarks as your local post office may no longer postmark mail.

“The last several years has been challenging for many taxpayers and business owners. I understand and sympathize with the financial impacts that COVID-19 has caused Orange County taxpayers and businesses, “said Treasurer Freidenrich. “Current State law requires that the owner of record as of January 1, 2022 be responsible for paying the FY 2022-23 unsecured property tax bill even if the unsecured property has been sold or otherwise disposed of after January 1, 2022. Unlike secured property taxes, unsecured property taxes are not prorated by time of ownership.” The new owner of the unsecured property is not responsible for paying the property taxes on the personal property purchased until the new lien date of January 1, 2023. Treasurer Freidenrich encourages taxpayers to sign up for text or email unsecured property tax information at octreasurer.com/unsecuredreminders to assist them in paying timely.

Taxpayers can view prior tax bills online and also view an online statement to see if any current or delinquent unsecured property taxes are owed. This information is available by going to octreasurer.com/octaxbill and scroll to the Unsecured Property Tax Bill section in the middle of the page. Taxpayers can search by business name, the tax collector reference number (TC Ref), the CF Number, the N Number or the tax year and assessment number.

Of the 80,412 unsecured property tax bills mailed, they included assessments sent to 45,858 businesses, 17,173 boat and aircraft owners and 14,339 leased equipment owners. The unsecured property low assessed value exemption for business equipment, boats and aircraft was increased over the last two years from $3,000 to $10,000 by the Board after a request from the Treasurer and Assessor. There are over 37,000 fewer assessments in the last two years primarily due to this increased exemption amount, effectively lowering the tax burdens on small businesses, boat owners and other taxpayers.

OCTA’s Student Bus Pass Program expands to all O.C. Community Colleges

Posted on August 10, 2022 by Editor Posted in Education, OCTA, Orange County, Transportation Leave a comment

ORANGE – All community colleges in Orange County are now on board.

The Orange County Transportation Authority this week marked a major milestone in the effort to provide OC Bus passes to thousands of community college students when it presented resolutions to all nine Orange County community colleges now participating in the College Pass program.

Will you still vote for Sarmiento even though his family is suing the City of Santa Ana?

The College Pass, a shared-cost program that allows enrolled community-college students to travel free on any OC Bus fixed route, helps students access higher education, employmennt and recreational opportunities all across Orange County.

“It’s great to see how this program has expanded, reaching all of our community colleges,” said OCTA Chairman Mark A. Murphy, also the Mayor of Orange. “The College Pass is helping thousands of students discover how convenient and beneficial public transit can be and, at the same time, it is offering them easier accesses to higher education and the path toward their dreams.”

The College Pass program began as a pilot program in 2017 at Santa Ana College and expanded to each of the other community colleges in the county, including:

Rancho Santiago Community College District Continuing Education program
Santiago Canyon College
Fullerton College
Goldenwest College
Saddleback College
Irvine Valley College
Coastline College
Orange Coast College

At Monday’s Board meeting, OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson presented administrators from each of the colleges with a resolution thanking them for participating.

The program is a shared-cost program, partially funded by the colleges and by Clean Transportation Funding from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction and Review Committee and the state’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program through California Climate Investments.

The state’s California Climate Investments is a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

By using the pass, college students enjoy a free, convenient ride while avoiding parking costs and hassles and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.

The program also has helped bus ridership, introducing new riders to public transit and removing barriers to higher education for students, some who say they wouldn’t be able to attend college without it.

An initial survey of students at Santa Ana College, where the program began. showed that 86 percent were satisfied with the college pass. Nearly 70 percent of those who rode the bus to school chose to also ride OC Bus to other destinations, and 96 percent said using the pass helps them achieve their educational goals.

Although bus ridership fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, OC Bus continued with a modified schedule to help riders reach essential jobs, appointments and other important destinations. Service has gradually been added back based on demand and always guided by safety of passengers and coach operators.

For more information, visit http://ocbus.com/communitycollegepass.

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 and active transportation. To sign up for more OCTA news, visit octa.net/GetConnected.

O.C. fake doctor who targeted Latinas arrested for conducting dangerous plastic surgery operations

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Brea man was charged with multiple felonies for impersonating a medical doctor and performing medical procedures including Botox injections, lip and face fillers, and thread-lift procedures on numerous unsuspecting victims. The fake doctor is accused of targeting Spanish-speaking women to perform the unlicensed procedures.

Authorities believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone who was treated by Elias Renteria Segoviano to report those procedures to the Orange County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation by contacting Investigator T. Hoang at 714-834-6538.

Will you still vote for Sarmiento even though his family is suing the City of Santa Ana?

“Medical professionals are highly trained and highly regulated for a reason,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “These women trusted this individual to have the training and the expertise required to perform these medical procedures, and instead they unknowingly put their very lives in the hands of someone who had no idea what they were doing.”

Segoviano, 61, of Brea, has been charged with one felony count of the unauthorized practice of medicine, one felony count of false indication of a medical license, and one felony count of perjury. He has also been charged with one misdemeanor count of misrepresenting self as a licensed medical practitioner, one misdemeanor count of representation of license not issued to him or her, one misdemeanor count of misrepresentation of qualifications, and one misdemeanor count of impersonating a professional nurse or pretending to be licensed to practice nursing.

He faces a maximum sentence of five years and four months in state prison if convicted on all counts.

He is currently being held on $1 million bail. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Segoviano was arrested on July 19, 2022 at his business, Botox in Anaheim, within the Phenix Salon Suites, located at 935 S. Brookhurst St. in Anaheim, California. Segoviano used various social media platforms to advertise his services to potential clients, including videos and postings on Facebook, Tiktok, and other social media platforms. Segoviano used various aliases including “Dr. Elias”, “Dr. Elias Renteria”, “Dr. Elias Renteria M.D.“ and used “ELIASMD” on his vehicle license plate.

Segoviano is believed to have utilized other locations for his unlawful medical practice since 2019 including 339 La Habra Blvd, La Habra, CA. Various business names were used for his unlicensed practice including “Botox in Anaheim,” “Botox in Anaheim- Health and Beauty,” “Neurotoxina Botulinica- Massage Service,” “Threads in Anaheim, “Threads La Habra”, “Botox La Habra,” and “OC Threads, Botox & Fillers.”

Segoviano is accused of performing invasive procedures and injecting victims with potentially counterfeit Botox, fillers, anesthetics, and other medical drugs that placed the public at extreme risk.
Deputy District Attorney Diran H. Tashjian of the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit is prosecuting this case.

Diapers and pull-ups urgently needed for children at the O.C. Village of Hope

Posted on August 2, 2022 by Editor Posted in Charities, Family, Orange County, Tustin Leave a comment

Orange County, Calif. (August 2, 2022) – Orange County Rescue Mission has urgently announced an immense need for diapers of all sizes, boys and girls pull-up diapers (especially in sizes 3T-4T,), wet wipes, and diaper cream to last through the end of the year for the babies and young children living at Village of Hope, the Rescue Mission’s transitional living facility for homeless families in Orange County.

The non-profit organization is requesting assistance from the local community to help replenish the rapidly decreasing supply of these hygiene items, according to Jim Palmer, President of Orange County Rescue Mission.

Will you still vote for Sarmiento even though his family is suing the City of Santa Ana?

“We have experienced a 40% increase in children at the Rescue Mission since January, driving an immense need for basic baby and toddler hygiene items like diapers, pull-up diapers, wipes, and diaper cream,” says Palmer. “These donations will help to guarantee that the growing number of formerly homeless parents and children at the Rescue Mission can securely rely on these essential everyday items for children throughout the remainder of the year.”

In an effort to drive these much-needed donations, the Rescue Mission has partnered with 99.5 KKLA and 95.9 The Fish radio stations to host a diaper drive on Friday, August 5th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Village of Hope.

“We are incredibly grateful to KKLA and The Fish for reaching out to us to coordinate a diaper donation drive amongst their listeners,” continues Palmer. “With the recent nationwide diaper shortage, our diaper donations have significantly decreased. We are beyond blessed and grateful for the continued outpouring of support the local community has shown us, especially through these very difficult past couple years.”

On average, the Rescue Mission provides roughly 40,500 diapers and pull-ups and 130,000 baby wipes each year to families with children as part of its commitment to supporting their overall well-being, adds Palmer.

Those who wish to donate or host a Diaper Drive may drop off donations at Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope located at 1 Hope Drive, Tustin, California, 92782. Donations can also be purchased online and delivered to this address. For more information, please visit: https://www.rescuemission.org/urgent-baby-needs/.

The donation warehouse is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

About Orange County Rescue Mission

Orange County Rescue Mission’s goal is to minister the love of Jesus Christ to the Least, the Last, and the Lost of our community through the provision of assistance in the areas of guidance, counseling, education, job training, shelter, food, clothing, health care and independent living communities.
The Rescue Mission was formed as a faith-based organization in 1963. Since that time, the Rescue Mission has shared hope through Jesus Christ to those without hope in Orange County. Our programs are designed to give comprehensive services that move homeless men, women, veterans, and children to self-sufficiency. Its programs and dedication to going above and beyond have earned the organization numerous recognitions including Charity Navigator’s highest rating of 4 stars.

To make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities with Orange County Rescue Mission, please contact (714) 247-4300 or visit www.rescuemission.org.

Caloptima seeks to launch Covered California plan

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Editor Posted in California, Caloptima, Health and Medical, Insurance, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE, Calif. – To better support continuity of care for current members and to provide an additional coverage option for Orange County residents, CalOptima is working, for the first time, toward offering a health plan option through Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace where residents can find affordable, quality coverage and potentially qualify for financial help to reduce their monthly premiums.

Who will you vote for in the Santa Ana Mayoral Election in November?

CalOptima’s Board of Directors formally requested that the Orange County Board of Supervisors to consider changing a county ordinance enacted in 2012, before California’s health insurance marketplace began. A hearing is currently set for August 9 to amend the ordinance to allow for development of this new plan option. Once approved, CalOptima’s Covered California plan would start in January 2024.

“Currently, CalOptima is the single largest health insurer in Orange County, providing Medi-Cal coverage for one in four residents. Yet our members often experience changes in employment or in family circumstances that make them ineligible for Medi-Cal,” said Michael Hunn, CalOptima Chief Executive Officer. “By offering a Covered California plan as a bridge from Medi-Cal, CalOptima can provide the continuity of care that is essential to member health — members can choose to stay with the CalOptima network of contracted providers even as their circumstances change.”

CalOptima’s 911,000 members currently have access to a network of more than 10,600 primary care doctors and specialists, as well as 34 community health centers and 41 acute and rehab hospitals. Established in 1995, CalOptima has been serving Orange County’s vulnerable, low-income population for decades, and its local health plan perspective ensures responsiveness to the community’s diverse needs and commitment to caring for the whole person.

There are six Covered California plans offered by private health insurers in Orange County, and CalOptima’s proposed plan would be the first from a public agency. CalOptima is a mission-driven organization that serves member health and does not have financial obligations to stockholders.
“CalOptima’s participation in Covered California will strengthen the safety net by bringing in a new revenue stream to reinvest in community health,” Hunn added. “The goal is to provide affordable and comprehensive coverage to as many Orange County residents as possible while increasing access to quality care.”

Orange County awarded $10M for mental health services and resources for children

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Editor Posted in Mental Health, Orange County, Youth Activities 2 Comments

Santa Ana, Calif. (July 21, 2022) The Orange County Board of Supervisors announced today that the County of Orange was awarded $10 million in state funding to continue delivering mental health services, support and resources for children in crisis and their family members. The Board has prioritized the transformation of Orange County’s approach to behavioral health through the “Be Well Orange County” initiative, a coalition between the County and behavioral health stakeholders in the private and public sectors.

“I want to thank Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris for her leadership to secure this funding in the state budget,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Doug Chaffee. “She is passionate about the need to address the urgently needed behavioral health resources for Orange County residents and the Be Well OC initiative. The state’s ongoing investment in Orange County will be critical as we continue building our Be Well system of care campuses in order to improve access, quality of care and service delivery for children in crisis and their family members.”

According to the 2020 United States Census, children under 18 years of age account for 21.7 percent of Orange County’s total population. A survey conducted in Fall 2020 by the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Mental Health Services Act Office reported that 51 percent of parents indicated their children (four to 17 years old) experienced some form of anxiety or depression. One in four families sought some form of mental health assistance, with therapists being the top go-to support service followed by pediatricians and psychiatrists. Additionally, one in five parents faced two or more barriers in accessing help, with inconvenient or delayed appointment times and preference for face-to-face services being the top two barriers.

Assembly Bill 178 includes language signed by the Governor to appropriate, “…$10,000,000 to the County of Orange to expedite the completion of an urgently needed Behavioral Health Families and Children’s Campus, which will deliver coordinated mental health services, support, and resources to children and their family members.”

“On behalf of the entire Be Well OC movement, I’d like to express our deep gratitude for Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris and our Orange County Board of Supervisors for their unwavering support to pioneer an innovative approach to build a coordinated system of mental health care,” said Be Well OC CEO Marshall Moncrief. “This is a tremendous next step for the Be Well OC movement and Orange County residents.”

Orange County has moved back to high COVID-19 transmission levels

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Editor Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

(Santa Ana, CA) – Due to recent increases in COVID-19 case counts, Orange County was moved to “High” community transmission status as of 7/14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Level Data Tracker.

As of July 15th, the seven-day average COVID-19 case rate in Orange County increased to 33.1 per 100,000 people (>20.0 CDC threshold) and the average number of daily COVID-19 cases is 1,068. The positivity rate increased to 17.4 percent, with hospitalizations at 277, and ICU admissions to 35. The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) reports COVID-19 cases and hospitalization data using the State’s database reflecting laboratory-reported PCR tests. With widespread use of at-home rapid Antigen testing, which go unreported, the true number of COVID-19 cases across the country are being undercounted.

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

“We are seeing a summer wave in cases and hospitalizations, and this move to the “HIGH” transmission level confirms that.” says Dr. Clayton Chau, OC Health Care Agency Director. “To protect those at high risk, we are recommending that OC residents continue masking in public, indoor settings, especially those who are at high risk or living with loved ones who have comorbidities, are immunocompromised or are prone to getting sick.”

The HCA recommends residents take preventive actions to minimize the risk of severe illness and advise the following:

Wear a well-fitting mask in indoor, public settings, especially those who are at high risk or live with those with comorbidities or immunocompromised. Refer to the State’s Guidance for the Use of Face Masks for full masking guidance

Be up to date on vaccinations by completing your primary series, receiving your additional dose if immunocompromised, and receiving your booster dose when eligible, to maximize your immunity against severe infection. Visit www.Othena.com or https://myturn.ca.gov/ to schedule a vaccine.
Keep a safe distance from others outside of your household, to avoid close contact with people who may be unvaccinated or asymptomatic.
If you recently attended a high-risk event, traveled, or came into close contact with someone who has COVID-19, self-monitor for symptoms and get tested. Stay home and follow self-quarantine guidance.
If you are sick, stay home, follow self-isolation guidance and get tested.

Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are seeking to determine if they would be eligible for therapeutic medications, should contact their health care provider, or locate a Test to Treat site. As of 7/6, state-licensed pharmacists can prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, with certain limitations to ensure appropriate patient assessment. Contact your local pharmacy to discuss details.

The CDC launched its Data Tracker earlier this year to create standardized COVID-19 data across the country to provide a county level view of key data for monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. The data measure cases per 100,000 population and hospitalization rates to segment Low, Medium or High Transmission levels. To learn more visit: CDC

Two suspects have been arrested for this week’s shooting spree at So. California 7/11 stores

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Los Angeles County, OCDA, Orange County, Riverside County, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a number of shootings and robberies at several 7-Eleven stores in Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire, according to the OCDA.

The pair was arrested on Friday at 1:10 p.m. at 1900 W. 23rd Street in Los Angeles. The men were identified as Malike Patt, 20, and Jason Payne, 44. Patt is the primary suspect. Both men are Los Angeles residents.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and a task force that included the Brea, Santa Ana and Fullerton police departments, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the OCDA’s Office made the arrests. Both suspects were transported and booked at the Santa Ana Police Department and they will likely be prosecuted in Orange County.

Patt was booked into jail in Santa Ana. Payne was being treated for unspecified injuries before booking. Patt was believed to be the person wearing the hooded sweatshirt who was photographed during several robberies, police said.

The police do not yet know what motivated Patt to attack so many victims at area 7-Eleven stores or what role Payne played in these crimes.

Additional violent armed robberies and a murder in the City of Los Angeles are also being investigated with a possible link to this crime series.

The attacks left two victims dead while several others were injured. One victim, Russell Browning, 60, was shot in the mouth as he sat in his car, resulting in the loss of several teeth. Browning, a truck driver, had purchased milk and doughnuts at the store and was heading to work.

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

Here in Santa Ana, 24-year-old Matthew Rule was shot dead in a 7-Eleven parking lot with a gunshot wound to the upper body, at 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday.

The 7-Eleven company offered a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

“It is through the hard, diligent, and professional investigative work by our Homicide Unit, along with the invaluable collaborative efforts with all our partner allied agencies, that made these arrests possible. As our condolences go out to all the victims and survivors impacted by these violent crimes, our communities can rest a little easier today knowing that we have resolution to this regional crime series,” said Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin.

Unlicensed teen driver charged with murder after a high-speed crash in Orange killed 3 passengers

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Crime, OCDA, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana, Street Racing Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – An unlicensed 19-year-old driver who led Orange police on a brief police pursuit at more than 100 miles per hour before crashing and killing three passengers, including a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, was charged today with three felony counts of murder. Three teenage passengers were also ejected during the crash, but survived.

Azarie Dupree Fuller, 19, of Exeter, has also been charged with one felony count of evading while driving recklessly and causing death, three felony counts of child endangerment by a caretaker, one misdemeanor count for driving without a valid license, and an infraction for speeding more than 100 mph.

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

He faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life plus 14 years if convicted on all counts. Fuller, who remains hospitalized, is scheduled to be arraigned on August 4, 2022. His bail is set at $3,550,000.

On Saturday, July 9, 2022, at around 2:47 a.m., Fuller is accused of coming to a screeching halt in a Nissan Altima near the back of an Orange Police Department vehicle stopped in a turn lane of West Lincoln Avenue just west of Glassell Street. Two officers, including a police trainee, were inside the police car.

Fuller is accused of making a U-turn, turning his lights off, and driving more than 100 miles per hour with an Orange police officer and his trainee in pursuit. Less than a mile after the chase began, Fuller is accused of leaving the road and crashing into multiple poles. The Altima erupted into flames and all seven people in the vehicle, including Fuller, were ejected from the car.

Dayanara Rebolledo, 14, Dominic McGinley, 17, and Gustavo Castro, 26, were killed. Three other passengers, including two 14-year-olds and a 17-year-old, were injured in the crash, but survived.

“This 19-year-old had no regard for the lives of anyone on the road that night – not for the lives of his friends, the lives of the two police officers who tried to stop him, or even his own life,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Two children and a young man lost their lives and they didn’t have to die. And two police officers will have to live the rest of their lives knowing that they did everything they could to save them – and it wasn’t enough to stop someone who was hell-bent on death and destruction. These deaths don’t just destroy individual families; they destroy entire communities.”

Deputy District Attorney Brian Orue of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Flea-borne disease detected in Orange County

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Editor Posted in Disease, Insects, Orange County, Orange County Vector Control District, Pets, Santa Ana Leave a comment

There have been more human cases of flea-borne typhus detected in Orange County. The key to preventing this disease is to prevent humans from coming into contact with fleas. Pets must be treated at regular intervals with appropriate flea control products.

Flea-borne typhus, formerly called murine typhus, is a bacterial disease found primarily in the fleas that live on animals such as cats, dogs, opossums, rats, and other backyard wildlife and is transmitted by fleas. Flea-borne typhus is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis, present in fleas and flea feces.

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

Fleas defecate as they feed. Infection occurs when flea feces containing the bacteria are scratched into the bite site, other wounds, inhaled, eaten, or transferred to the eye (conjunctiva).

Even though cats, dogs, opossums, rats, and backyard wildlife may be infected, they do not show obvious symptoms. These animals are infested with fleas year-round in Orange County. Fleas do not survive without the presence of a host animal. Pet animals should be kept on flea-control medication year-round.

Flea-borne typhus is transmitted by fleas found on:

Feral and domestic cats
Dogs
Opossums
Rats
Raccoons
Skunks
Squirrels
Rabbits
Any mammal that infested with fleas.

How Will I Know If My Pet Has Fleas?

Fleas found on pets can be infected with flea-borne typhus. Fleas are active all year in Orange County. Flea control is the best way to prevent exposure to flea-borne typhus.

Even indoor only animals can become infested with fleas. Regularly inspect pets and pet bedding for fleas. The presence of flea feces in pet fur, called “flea dirt”, may be the first sign of a flea infestation. Pet owners should keep pets up-to-date on a flea control and heartworm preventative program.

Pets and backyard wildlife can be infested with fleas that transmit flea-borne typhus to humans. The animals may or may not become infected. Pets and backyard wildlife are hosts for fleas. Fleas do not survive without the presence of a host animal.

Typhus Symptoms

What Are The Symptoms?

Once a person is infected, flea-borne typhus normally has an incubation period of 6-14 days before symptoms appear. Typical symptoms consist of:

Severe headache
Sustained high fever (104° F) for many days
Body aches
Weakness
Confusion
Avoidance of light
A rash on the chest, back, arms and/or legs appears in approximately 50% of patients.

Flea-borne typhus shares symptoms with other flu-like diseases and can be incorrectly diagnosed if a specific blood test is not performed. Correct diagnosis and treatment with the proper antibiotic (doxycycline) can resolve patient discomfort quickly.

How Is The Disease Treated?

Correct diagnosis and treatment with the proper antibiotic (doxycycline) can resolve patient discomfort quickly.

Learn more about ways to protect you and your pet here.

AQMD air particulate advisory due to fireworks

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Editor Posted in Environment, Fires, Health and Medical, Orange County Leave a comment

Poor air quality is likely in areas throughout the South Coast Air Basin and in the Coachella Valley on July 4th through July 5th. Fireworks are known to emit high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) as well as metal air pollutants, all of which can contribute to negative health effects.

Due to fireworks related to Independence Day celebrations, the Air Quality Index (AQI) may reach the Very Unhealthy AQI category or higher across the region from the evening of Sunday, July 4th through the early afternoon on Monday, July 5th. The use of personal “backyard” fireworks also contributes to this air pollution and can further increase how much air pollution a person is breathing. In addition, personal “backyard” fireworks may create even higher levels of fine particulate matter locally that are far higher than regional particulate levels.

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

Fine particulate matter levels on July 4th and July 5th are typically among the worst (highest) days of the year in the South Coast Air Basin and the Coachella Valley. The smoke and combustion products from fireworks add to the fine particles already present in the Basin that are primarily caused by motor vehicles, as well as fugitive dust and industrial emissions. The use of personal “backyard” fireworks can also spark wildfires, which can be a major source of fine particulate matter.

Breathing fine particulate matter can lead to a wide variety of cardiovascular and respiratory health effects such as heart attacks, asthma aggravation, decreased lung function, coughing, or difficulty breathing and may lead to premature death in people with heart or lung diseases.

Areas of direct impacts may include major portions of the South Coast Air Basin and the Coachella Valley. Air pollution levels are typically worse in areas where personal fireworks are widely used.

CalOptima approves $64M in added provider support

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Editor Posted in Caloptima, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE, Calif. — This past week, CalOptima’s Board of Directors approved a Fiscal Year 2022–23 budget that amplifies financial support for Orange County’s provider community in a variety of ways. Effective July 1, hospitals, health networks and providers will receive extended supplemental funding for COVID-19 expenses, totaling $58.2 million for the year. Further, the agency is continuing to protect providers from $6 million in Medicare cuts, maintaining maximum reimbursement in programs serving seniors. Finally, CalOptima allocated $45.2 million for digital transformation efforts designed to streamline and improve interactions with the provider community.

The COVID-19 supplemental payment increase of up to 7.5% will fund efforts by CalOptima-contracted providers to promote and administer COVID-19 vaccinations, cover increased costs for testing and treatment, and help address additional variants of the COVID-19 virus. The payments will be made for a full year, from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The Board first approved supplemental payments in 2020 after recognizing the additional strain put on providers by the pandemic and the potential for interruption in necessary Medi-Cal services. This financial support also supports the health care safety net generally, given that CalOptima membership grew 23% during the pandemic to nearly 900,000.

“COVID-19 cases are fluctuating, and providers are continuing to grapple with the pandemic. CalOptima wants to support our partners with the resources they need to ensure quality care for our vulnerable member population,” said Michael Hunn, CalOptima Chief Executive Officer. “The supplemental funding will provide stability for the health care system as we prepare to transition out of the Public Health Emergency.”

CalOptima’s Medicare programs include OneCare (HMO SNP), OneCare Connect Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The programs are subject to 2% federal cuts that total $6 million annually. The Board voted to protect providers from this reduction particularly during this time as CalOptima will transition approximately 14,500 members from OneCare Connect to OneCare on January 1, 2023. California is closing Cal MediConnect Plans as part of a larger initiative known as California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM).

Announced in March, CalOptima’s digital transformation is part of a new three-year strategic vision to deliver efficiencies for providers, including same-day treatment authorizations and real-time claims payment. CalOptima’s new budget allocates $45.2 million to this effort and signifies that the agency is moving forward with strengthening its systems on behalf of Orange County’s provider community. A few initiatives identified for the first year are provider portal enhancements, a provider data management system the integrates contracting and credentialling, and robotic process automation to better connect members to providers offering the services they need.

About CalOptima

A county organized health system, CalOptima provides publicly funded health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima’s mission is to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. In total, CalOptima serves more than 891,000 members with a network of more than 10,500 primary care doctors and specialists as well as 41 acute and rehab hospitals.

This week’s Cochino List includes The Quill

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Editor Posted in Business, Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, 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 weeks of June 23 to June 30. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

The Quill, 1630 Mabury St., Santa Ana, Closed: June 24, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 28
San Chon Korean B.B.Q., 1240 W. Imperial Highway, Suite A, La Habra, Closed: June 22, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 24
Rite Aid, 6767 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, Closed: June 22, Reason: No water supply
Vua Bun Bo at 9211 Bolsa Ave., Suite 120-121, Westminster, which was ordered closed June 21 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen June 29.

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

Monkeypox has apparently arrived in Orange County

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Editor Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County Leave a comment

(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Communicable Disease Control Division (CDCD) has confirmed the first presumptive case of monkeypox infection in Orange County (OC) and is awaiting final confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While awaiting CDC confirmation of a probable case, the HCA is proceeding with the assumption it is a monkeypox case and is conducting contact tracing and post-exposure prevention for close contacts.

“The Public Health Services (PHS) CDCD team is working with all relevant agencies and partners to track, control, and curtail the spread of monkeypox within the county,” said Dr. Christopher Zimmerman, CDCD Physician. “The affected individual is already in isolation and exposed contacts are in the process to receive post exposure prophylaxis vaccination.”

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

The outbreak of monkeypox in 50 nations throughout the world has resulted in 4,769 cases as of 06/28/2022. In the United States, there are 306 cases from 28 states.

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an enhanced nationwide vaccination strategy to mitigate the spread of monkeypox. The strategy will expedite vaccinations and protect those at-risk of monkeypox, prioritize vaccines for areas with the highest numbers of cases, and provide guidance to state, territorial, tribal, and local health officials to aide their planning and response efforts. See full report.

As of this time, vaccination soon after exposure can prevent for monkeypox virus infections, the best guidance is to take precautions to prevent monkeypox. Most treatment is supportive, easing the symptoms of illness. However, antivirals developed for use in patients with other viral diseases may prove beneficial in certain cases but are currently available under research protocols. Additionally, some measures including vaccination may be given to prevent the monkeypox infection after a high-risk exposure to the virus.

What people should do:

To prevent the spread of monkeypox in Orange County, we ask individuals to be aware of the risks and how monkeypox spreads. It is also important to remember that monkeypox can spread through sexual networks, and until we learn more, the HCA urges you to be vigilant. People who have symptoms of monkeypox, particularly the characteristic rash or lesions, should take the following steps:

Visit a medical provider for an evaluation
Cover the area of the rash with clothing
Wear a mask
Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others
Isolate in a separate room or area from family members and pets

Local clinicians who have any suspected cases are advised to immediately contact the HCA’s Communicable Disease Control Division. For additional information see the attached Health Advisory from the California Department of Public Health.

The CDC does not currently recommend widespread vaccination against monkeypox. However, vaccination may be recommended for some people who are close personal contacts of people with monkeypox, may have been exposed to the virus, and/or may have increased risk of being exposed to the virus. The HCA has secured some vaccines for individuals who are exposed to the virus through contact with cases. If you are exposed or believe you are at risk, please call or visit your primary care provider.

For more information on monkeypox, including case counts, prevention strategies, vaccination and what the HCA is doing in Orange County, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/monkeypox or https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.