Category: Santa Ana

Justice Department Supports Christian Group’s Lawsuit to Preserve Homeless Ministry

The U.S. Department of Justice recently issued its support for a Christian organization in its lawsuit against the city of Santa Ana—which, the group claims, is preventing them from providing food and drinks to the city’s homeless. At the heart of the issue is the city’s denial of an occupancy certificate to Christian organization Micah’s…


Lyft Driver Accused of Attacking Teen in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A Lyft driver was behind bars May 11 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl last month. Fredi Rojas, 30, of Orange, was arrested Wednesday and booked on suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault, according to Santa Ana police Sgt. Maria Lopez. He was being held on $1 million bail, according to…


Orange County Schools Recognized for Music Education Excellence

Seven Orange County school districts were recognized in April for their excellence in music education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation, a nonprofit that advances the art of music through research, philanthropy, and public service programs. The recognized districts in Orange County were Anaheim Elementary, Anaheim Union, Capistrano Unified, Garden Grove Unified, Irvine…


Habitat for Humanity Adds 2 New Homes for Working Families in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Nestled within the neighborhood of French Park, dozens of members of Habitat for Humanity’s Orange County branch gathered to help build homes for two working-class families during a light drizzle the morning of May 5. The local arm of the nonprofit has built 237 homes in Orange County over the last 35 years,…


Southern California Republicans’ Method to Win Latino Votes Looks to Expand Statewide

A grassroots nonprofit formed during the pandemic to encourage voter participation in minority communities—especially Hispanics—in Orange County, California, is now gaining some recognition from Republicans across the state. Established in 2021, leaders of the Santa Ana-based organization chose the name ¡BASTA!, which means “enough” in Spanish, because, they said, it has been used historically for…


Umberg Vows to Carry on With Fentanyl Crackdown in California Despite Committee’s Rejection

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) said April 26 he’s done trying to get a bill cracking down on fentanyl dealers out of a state Senate committee after it was rejected again this week, and will instead support efforts to seek an initiative from voters to change the law. Umberg sponsored the bill with…


California Lawmaker Vows to Carry on With Fentanyl Crackdown in California Despite Committee’s Rejection

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) said April 26 he’s done trying to get a bill cracking down on fentanyl dealers out of a state Senate committee after it was rejected again this week, and will instead support efforts to seek an initiative from voters to change the law. Umberg sponsored the bill with…


California Lawmaker Vows to Carry on With Fentanyl Crackdown Despite Committee’s Rejection

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) said April 26 he’s done trying to get a bill cracking down on fentanyl dealers out of a state Senate committee after it was rejected again this week, and will instead support efforts to seek an initiative from voters to change the law. Umberg sponsored the bill with…


SoCal Man Convicted of Sex Attacks on Girl for 12 Years

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 51-year-old man was convicted April 19 of sexual assaults on a girl he was related to from when she was 5 to 17 years old in Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Lake Elsinore. Pablo Amaya Posada was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child with a foreign object, two…


Suspect in Over 30 Gas Station Store Robberies Facing Federal Charges

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A detention hearing is scheduled for April 20 in Santa Ana federal court for a 23-year-old man accused of committing 31 robberies or attempted robberies in Los Angeles and Orange counties in a 31/2-week period. Namir Malik Ali Greene was arrested April 17 following a chase that began in Ontario, according to Ciaran…