SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana has reached a historic milestone in its development trajectory, issuing over 9,500 building permits for an all-time high construction valuation of $772 million in 2023. This remarkable achievement – more than double the construction valuation of past years – demonstrates the City’s commitment to responsible growth and development that will benefit the community through the creation of new housing, jobs and businesses. “Santa Ana stands as a beacon of opportunity and growth in Orange County,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “With over $772 million in perm ..read more

Yesterday, a man left a cart full of property in the lobby of a storage facility near Jamboree and Warner. When he returned, the cart and items were missing, according to the Irvine Police Department. A patrol officer responded and began investigating. After reviewing surveillance video, it was determined that another customer took the cart and placed the stolen property in their car and storage unit. The officer quickly located the 41-year-old suspect from Mission Viejo and arrested her for burglary and for possessing narcotics. Criminals often forget that the world is full of surveillance c ..read more

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf located at the City Place, across from the MainPlace Mall, will be shut down for a while after a fire broke out early this morning, just before 7 a.m. It was a one alarm fire but at least four OCFA fire trucks showed up. An employee reoprted that the problem started with an oven that had a big flash, likely an electrical short. A fire started which they put out with a fire extinguisher. However the fire spread inside the adjacent wall, likely in the insulation. The fire crews used both fire extinguishers and water to quickly extinguish the blaze – which was out ..read more

GoFundMe today announced its expansion into Mexico, one of the largest economies in Latin America. Mexico becomes the 20th country fully supported on the GoFundMe platform and is the company’s first international expansion in nearly six years. “Launching in our 20th country is a huge milestone which will provide people across Mexico with a safe, easy, and powerful way to raise money for the people and causes they care about. ” said Tim Cadogan, GoFundMe CEO. “Every country we’ve gone into has adopted GoFundMe in its own unique way but there is a common underlying theme shared everywhere: the ..read more

Alexis Ascencion, a 25-year-old Santa Ana resident, was sentenced on Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the gang-related fatal shooting of a man outside an apartment complex in Santa Ana that happened six years ago. Ascension was convicted on Feb. 15 of felony charges of first-degree murder and participating in gang activity, with special circumstances of gang activity and sentencing enhancements for discharge of a gun causing death. Felix-Martinez-Vargas Asencion’s co-defendant, Felix Martinez Vargas of Santa Ana, pleaded guilty on Sept. 2, 2022, to voluntary mans ..read more

A pair of suspects removed gaming headsets on multiple occasions from the Target located at 16400 Beach Blvd. and fled, according to the Westminster Police Department. Suspect 1: Male (See picture), possibly Asian and a tattoo on the right side of his face. Suspect 2: Female (See picture), possibly Hispanic. If you have any information regarding the identity of these suspects, please contact Investigator T. Schumacher (714) 898-3315 x 4570 or TSchumacher@westminster-ca.gov ..read more

Police fficers recently responded to a fight near the area of Harbor and Edinger, according to the Fountain Valley Police Department. A vehicle was stopped as it was leaving the area, and the driver was detained. During a search of the vehicle, officers located two loaded firearms, fentanyl, a scale, $1,500 in US currency, and baggies. Additionally, one of the firearms had a modified “switch” which turns the firearm into an automatic weapon. The driver was ultimately arrested for driving under the influence, narcotics sales, possession of a concealed firearm, unlawful conversion of a firearm ..read more

Last week, members of the Irvine Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) conducted an undercover operation at a local hotel after receiving information about an adult female potentially being trafficked for commercial sex work. When the male and female arrived at the location, the female was detained and safely removed from the situation. The male, 33-year-old Winston Jones from Los Angeles, was arrested for multiple human trafficking related charges, including pimping and pandering. The OCHTTF is comprised of officers ..read more

Beginning Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law. Under current law, drivers are prohibited from holding a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s reco ..read more

Santa Ana, CA – Today, Santa Ana City Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez announced his re-election campaign to represent Ward 5, which includes Santa Ana college, city hall, the Willowick Golf Square, and the neighborhoods of Artesia Pilar, Flower Park, Santa Anita, Casa Bonita Neighborhood, Mar Les, Sullivan, Willard, and Washington Square. Elected in 2020, Johnathan has stood up for Santa Ana’s diverse cultural history and prioritized investing in parks, community programs and events, and public safety. As councilman, Johnathan helped lead the effort for Santa Ana to become the first ci ..read more