Santa Ana news

• Two alleged mail thieves arrested in Irvine after police drone observes mailbox theft

  22-10-2026 20:36 via New Santa Ana
  
  Two men accused of stealing mail from Irvine residents allegedly learned the hard way that Irvine’s expanding police technology network now includes eyes in the sky. According to the Irvine Police Department, officers operating the city’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) program observed a suspicious pickup truck driving through a residential neighborhood. Police said the vehicle stopped at a…
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• Santa Ana man arrested for copper theft in Irvine after hiding in a storm drain

  22-10-2026 20:11 via New Santa Ana
  
  A suspected copper wire thief who tried to escape Irvine police by bicycle, then on foot, ultimately found himself cornered inside a storm drain after officers caught him allegedly stealing copper wire. According to the Irvine Police Department, 27-year-old Arturo Mendozapedroza of Santa Ana was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of attempted grand theft…
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• Studies find that loud music can slow driver reaction times and increase speeding

  21-10-2026 23:29 via New Santa Ana
  
  For years, distracted driving campaigns have focused heavily on smartphones, texting and in-car technology. New research suggests drivers may also want to pay closer attention to something far more common: the music playing through their speakers. Two recent studies examining the relationship between music and driving behavior found that both volume and song characteristics may influence how…
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• Driver cooperates after fatal pedestrian collision on Brea Blvd. as investigation continues

  21-10-2026 21:10 via New Santa Ana
  
  A 61-year-old man was killed late Tuesday night after being struck by a vehicle in Brea, according to the Brea Police Department. Police said officers responded at approximately 11:55 p.m. on October 20, 2026, to the area of Brea Boulevard and Elm Street following a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision. When officers arrived, they found the victim beneath a vehicle.
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• Westminster motorcyclist killed in early-morning Huntington Beach crash

  21-10-2026 21:01 via New Santa Ana
  
  A 33-year-old Westminster man died Wednesday morning after a traffic collision involving a motorcycle and an SUV in Huntington Beach, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. Police responded at approximately 5:30 a.m. on October 21 to the intersection of Newland Street and Talbert Avenue following reports of a collision involving a red Kawasaki motorcycle and a white Volkswagen…
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• Expired registration stop in north OC leads to armed felon arrest

  21-10-2026 18:27 via New Santa Ana
  
  A routine registration enforcement stop in Placentia recently resulted in the arrest of a convicted felon after officers discovered a handgun during an inventory search conducted before the vehicle was towed, according to the Placentia Police Department. Police said an officer conducted a vehicle check after noticing expired registration. During the investigation…
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• Orange County parents hit with criminal charges after teen’s fatal e-moto ride

  21-10-2026 17:52 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has taken the unusual step of filing criminal charges against the parents of a 13-year-old Santa Ana boy who was killed in a high-speed E-Moto crash, signaling a growing willingness by prosecutors to hold parents accountable when minors illegally operate powerful electric motorcycles. According to prosecutors, 13-year-old Benson Nguyen died after…
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• Santa Ana Police seek suspect accused of touching 9-year-old girl at DD’s Discount Store

  20-10-2026 22:55 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Santa Ana Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect accused of inappropriately touching a 9-year-old girl inside a DD’s Discount Store on South Bristol Street. According to police, the incident occurred on Sept. 26 while the child was shopping with family members at the store located at 2116 S. Bristol St. Investigators allege the suspect entered…
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• Sugar the Surfing Dog to be honored with public paddle-out at Huntington Beach Pier

  20-10-2026 22:39 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Southern California surf community will come together this weekend to celebrate the life of one of its most beloved four-legged legends. Sugar the Surfing Dog, the first canine ever inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, will be honored with a public paddle-out on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier. The event comes several months after Sugar…
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• OC Sheriff expands Drone First Responder Program to more OC cities

  20-10-2026 22:30 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced today that it will launch the first phase of its new Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program in October 2026, deploying unmanned aerial vehicles to support patrol operations in Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, and Stanton. The drones are designed to respond to calls for service, critical incidents, and missing person cases, often arriving before deputies…
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• Chaos above the 55: woman rescued after climbing freeway sign in Santa Ana

  20-10-2026 18:01 via New Santa Ana
  
  A dramatic rescue unfolded Monday when a woman climbed onto a freeway sign platform above State Route 55 near 17th Street in Santa Ana, prompting authorities to shut down portions of the freeway and launch an extensive rescue operation. According to the Santa Ana Police Department, members of the department’s Crisis Negotiation Team worked with the woman for more than two hours before…
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• Gang-related shooting leaves Anaheim man dead in Santa Ana; detectives seek witnesses

  20-10-2026 17:41 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Investigation remains active following the fatal shooting of a 35-year-old Anaheim resident on Santa Ana’s west side. According to the Santa Ana Police Department, officers responded at approximately 9:35 p.m. on October 17, 2026, to the area of 2205 W. Myrtle Street following reports of a shooting and a man down on the sidewalk.
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• OC Judge finalizes DA Todd Spitzer’s $125M agreement with GKN Aerospace over Hazmat disaster in Garden Grove

  20-10-2026 01:43 via New Santa Ana
  
  SANTA ANA, Calif. – An Orange County judge today formally approved Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer’s $125 million agreement with defendants GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, Inc. and GKN Aerospace, Inc. in connection with the May 2026 hazmat incident which forced the evacuation of more than 50,000 Orange County residents. In addition to an evacuee claims program of up to $100…
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• Two arrested after Irvine officer notices suspicious baggie in vehicle

  20-10-2026 01:34 via New Santa Ana
  
  A routine traffic stop in Irvine quickly escalated into a multi-arrest investigation after an Irvine police officer reportedly spotted suspected narcotics in plain view inside a vehicle. According to the Irvine Police Department, an officer stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic violation and observed suspected drugs inside a baggie on the center console. Officers detained the vehicle’s…
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• CalOptima Health launches $19M “Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC” campaign ahead of major 2027 eligibility changes

  20-10-2026 00:03 via New Santa Ana
  
  With sweeping changes to Medi-Cal eligibility set to take effect in January 2027, CalOptima Health is launching a countywide initiative aimed at helping Orange County residents keep their health coverage and navigate what may be the most significant enrollment overhaul in years. The new “Keep Your Medi-Cal, OC” campaign includes millions of dollars in new investments for community outreach…
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• Orange County fires back as Teamsters strike disrupts landfill operations

  19-10-2026 22:34 via New Santa Ana
  
  The labor dispute between the County of Orange and Teamsters Local 952 has escalated dramatically, with county officials filing an unfair practice charge with the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) on Oct. 19 alleging that the union crossed the line from lawful strike activity into illegal obstruction of public facilities. The complaint, obtained by this publication…
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• Halloween risks go far beyond candy, new research shows

  19-10-2026 22:20 via New Santa Ana
  
  New analysis highlighted by Lerner & Rowe draws attention to a troubling overlap between Halloween pedestrian risks and impaired-driving dangers. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 176 people were killed in Halloween-night crashes involving a driver with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher between 2019 and 2024.
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• OC CEO sentenced for $63M Ponzi-style investment fraud

  19-10-2026 20:30 via New Santa Ana
  
  A Laguna Niguel investment executive who marketed his private equity fund as a safe, passive income opportunity for retirees and other investors has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting to a years-long fraud scheme that prosecutors say operated in a Ponzi-like fashion and cost victims approximately $63 million. Marco Giovanni Santarelli, 57, founder and CEO of Norada Capital…
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• Deadly Irvine McLaren crash takes strange turn as wreckage reignites at tow yard

  19-10-2026 20:05 via New Santa Ana
  
  An already tragic Irvine traffic fatality has taken an unusual turn after the wreckage of a McLaren involved in a September crash that killed two people suddenly caught fire again while being stored at a secured tow facility. According to the Irvine Police Department, the front section of the destroyed McLaren spontaneously ignited on October 14 at a Costa Mesa storage yard contracted by the…
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• Federal voter fraud sweep nets more than two dozen California noncitizens weeks before the November election

  19-10-2026 18:21 via New Santa Ana
  
  Federal authorities on Monday announced the arrest of more than two dozen foreign nationals in California who are accused of illegally registering to vote and casting ballots in U.S. elections, marking one of the most significant election-related election enforcement actions in the state in recent memory. According to the U.S. Department of Justice and reporting by the Associated Press…
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• Huntington Beach e-bike fatality highlights growing Orange County safety crisis

  19-10-2026 17:49 via New Santa Ana
  
  A 62-year-old Westminster resident has died following a single-vehicle e-bike collision in Huntington Beach, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. Police said officers responded at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, to the area of Warner Avenue and Brightwater Drive after reports of an e-bike crash. When officers arrived, they found the rider unconscious in the…
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• After years of litigation, the OCDA agrees to DNA Program reforms

  17-10-2026 01:07 via New Santa Ana
  
  After years of litigation and public debate, Todd Spitzer and taxpayer plaintiff Professor William Thompson have reached a settlement in a closely watched lawsuit challenging the Orange County District Attorney’s Office’s controversial DNA collection program. The agreement will bring changes to how DNA is collected from misdemeanor defendants, how samples are retained, and how individuals may seek…
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• Santa Ana Police defend arrests of anti-ICE activists accused of stalking Federal agents

  17-10-2026 00:21 via New Santa Ana
  
  The arrest of two immigrant-rights activists in Santa Ana has quickly become one of Orange County’s most controversial law enforcement stories of the week, with advocates accusing the Santa Ana Police Department of siding with federal immigration authorities while police leaders insist the arrests were based solely on alleged criminal conduct and not immigration enforcement. On Friday…
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• Santa Ana Day Reporting Center to showcase reentry success stories at October 22 Open House

  16-10-2026 22:56 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Santa Ana Day Reporting Center (DRC), a long-running reentry program serving formerly incarcerated individuals in Orange County, will open its doors to the public on October 22 for a special event highlighting the role that rehabilitation, employment assistance and community support play in reducing recidivism and improving public safety. The open house, hosted by GEO Reentry Services…
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• Santa Ana Police recover multiple guns, Methamphetamine in recent arrests

  16-10-2026 22:22 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Santa Ana Police Department announced a series of recent arrests involving firearms, narcotics, alleged drug sales, criminal threats, and impaired driving, resulting in the recovery of multiple guns and illegal drugs across the city. In one case, Directed Patrol officers received information that a suspect was allegedly selling narcotics from a residence near the 500 block of Cypress…
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• Fatal Irvine DUI crash leaves elderly Tustin woman dead, driver facing potential DUI charges

  16-10-2026 21:44 via New Santa Ana
  
  A suspected DUI crash in Irvine has left an Orange County family mourning and could expose the arrested driver to some of the most serious alcohol-related criminal charges available under California law. According to the Irvine Police Department, officers and firefighters responded at approximately 9:06 p.m. on October 15 to a major traffic collision at Harvard Avenue and Paseo Westpark…
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• Irvine Police arrest DUI suspect found passed out behind wheel at busy intersection

  16-10-2026 18:39 via New Santa Ana
  
  A suspected drunk driver is facing criminal charges after Irvine police found him unconscious behind the wheel of a vehicle that sat motionless through multiple traffic signal cycles at one of the city’s busiest intersections. According to the Irvine Police Department, a police sergeant near Jamboree Road and Barranca Parkway, irvine clast weekend noticed a vehicle that had failed to move…
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• Who is SAUSD Trustee Katelyn Brazer Aceves?

  16-10-2026 18:23 via New Santa Ana
  
  Katelyn Brazer Aceves, the current president of the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education and trustee representing Area 4, is seeking another four-year term in the November 3, 2026 election. She was first elected to the board in 2022, winning a three-candidate race with approximately 37% of the vote. Her current term expires in December 2026. According to Ballotpedia…
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• 2026 OC DSA endorsed candidates, opposed by most moderate Democrats and Republicans

  16-10-2026 17:57 via New Santa Ana
  
  With the November election drawing closer, the Orange County chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has released its 2026 General Election Guide, offering endorsements and recommendations in dozens of local races across the county. The guide also provides a window into the organization’s growing role in local politics and its efforts to influence the future direction of the…
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• South Coast Plaza fraud suspect arrested after allegedly using a fake California ID

  16-10-2026 02:26 via New Santa Ana
  
  A suspected member of a group linked to repeated gift card fraud incidents at South Coast Plaza was arrested after allegedly attempting to use a fake California identification card to access a customer store account and purchase high-end luxury shoes, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department. Police said the suspect entered one of the luxury retailers at the shopping center and attempted…
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• Free Filipino American Comedy Festival set for three-day run in Orange County

  16-10-2026 02:07 via New Santa Ana
  
  Orange County’s comedy scene is about to get a distinctly Filipino American flavor as the inaugural Orange County Fil-Am Fun Fest arrives October 22-24, offering three nights of free stand-up comedy, improv, sketch performances and live entertainment across Orange County. Organizers hope the festival will not only showcase Filipino American talent but also strengthen community ties through…
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• Feds sue So. California ticket broker over alleged $120.8M ticket resale scheme

  16-10-2026 00:22 via New Santa Ana
  
  Federal prosecutors and the Federal Trade Commission have filed a civil lawsuit against California-based REPS & Company Inc. and three of its top executives, alleging the company used unlawful tactics to bypass ticket purchase limits and acquire millions of tickets to high-demand concerts, sporting events and other live events before reselling them at substantial markups.
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• OCDA clears deputies who shot Ahmed Williams after a double-stabbing in south OC

  15-10-2026 23:07 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has released its findings in the August 20, 2023 officer-involved shooting of Ahmed Williams, concluding that Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies Shane Johnson and Dante Jiron acted lawfully and reasonably when they opened fire on Williams moments after forcing entry into a Lake Forest apartment where they believed another victim was still alive and in…
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• OC election fraud case ends with anti-fraud billboards featuring the defendant’s dog

  15-10-2026 22:37 via New Santa Ana
  
  A Costa Mesa woman who admitted to registering her dog as a voter and casting ballots in the dog’s name in two Orange County elections has seen her criminal case dismissed after completing the terms of a negotiated plea agreement with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The case involving 64-year-old Laura Lee Yourex attracted national attention because it involved a voter…
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• West OC traffic stop leads to arrest, loaded handgun seized

  15-10-2026 22:18 via New Santa Ana
  
  A routine traffic stop in Westminster led to the recovery of a loaded handgun and the arrest of a driver, according to the Westminster Police Department. Police released a photograph showing a Glock-style semiautomatic handgun equipped with a weapon-mounted light alongside a loaded magazine containing multiple rounds of ammunition. The firearm was reportedly recovered after officers stopped a…
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• Inflation, economic stress linked to rising shoplifting, new survey finds

  15-10-2026 17:55 via New Santa Ana
  
  A new national survey suggests that while inflation and economic pressures are playing a significant role in shoplifting behavior, the issue is far more complicated than simply blaming poverty. The findings come from research highlighted by Tad Nelson & Associates using survey data from LendingTree, which found that 90% of respondents who admitted to shoplifting within the past year said inflation…
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• Resident trapped beneath vehicle after Buena Park apartment crash; DUI may have been a factor

  15-10-2026 17:28 via New Santa Ana
  
  A Buena Park resident remains in critical condition after a vehicle crashed directly into an apartment building Wednesday morning, trapping the resident beneath the vehicle and causing major structural damage to the unit. According to the Buena Park Police Department, officers responded at approximately 10:55 a.m. on October 14 to the 7300 block of 8th Street following reports of a vehicle…
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• Irvine Police arrest alleged Snapchat predator accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl

  15-10-2026 02:26 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Irvine Police Department is asking the public for help after detectives arrested Juan Carlos Amaya, a 25-year-old Baldwin Park resident accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and allegedly using social media to contact other minors. Amaya allegedly contacted a 13-year-old victim via Snapchat and began chatting with her while posing as a 17-year-old. The two met at an Irvine…
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• OCDA finds that a DUI arrestee’s jail death was caused by an accidental drug overdose

  15-10-2026 01:37 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Todd Spitzer-led Orange County District Attorney’s custodial death investigation has concluded that Orange County jail personnel did not commit any criminal wrongdoing in connection with the February 1, 2025 death of inmate Christopher Joseph Donnelly, a 45-year-old Anaheim man who died inside the Intake Release Center while awaiting court proceedings. According to the newly released OCDA…
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• Irvine Police hunt identity theft suspect accused of draining bank accounts across Orange County

  14-10-2026 20:40 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Irvine Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying a woman suspected of using a victim’s personal information to fraudulently withdraw more than $2,500 in cash from multiple banks throughout Orange County. According to a recent #WantedWednesday post, investigators believe the suspect conducted transactions at several banking institutions while impersonating or otherwise…
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• OCDA brings two wanted fugitives back from South America to face serious criminal charges in Orange County

  14-10-2026 20:28 via New Santa Ana
  
  A 44-year-old Irvine man accused of operating as both a narcotics dealer and prolific identity thief is back in Orange County after authorities tracked him across international borders and extradited him from Peru to face charges spanning 11 separate criminal cases. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Erick Grant Rustad was returned to the United States this week…
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• Garden Grove Police cite 55 drivers, tow 8 vehicles during commercial truck enforcement operation

  14-10-2026 01:38 via New Santa Ana
  
  GARDEN GROVE, Calif. – The Garden Grove Police Department conducted a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Checkpoint on Tuesday, resulting in 90 inspections, 90 violations identified, 55 citations issued, nine vehicles placed out of service, and eight vehicles towed, according to the department. The operation focused on commercial vehicle safety and regulatory compliance…
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• OCDA finds Santa Ana Police fatal shooting of Henry Gonzalez, Jr. legally justified

  13-10-2026 23:04 via New Santa Ana
  
  The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has concluded that a Santa Ana police officer acted lawfully when he fatally shot a knife-wielding man who was holding his mother hostage in a Santa Ana driveway on New Year’s Day 2025. According to the DA’s investigation, Officer Luis Casillas reasonably believed the victim’s mother faced an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury when he…
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• Nearly 4 in 10 Gen Z adults admit to shoplifting as California retail theft concerns persist

  13-10-2026 19:12 via New Santa Ana
  
  A newly released national study suggests that shoplifting is not only becoming more common, but that attitudes toward retail theft vary dramatically by generation. The findings arrive as California continues to grapple with organized retail crime, retail theft enforcement efforts, and ongoing debates over how best to address crime in shopping centers and commercial districts.
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• Orange County auto theft suspect arrested after quick Flock Camera detection

  13-10-2026 17:37 via New Santa Ana
  
  A suspected vehicle thief is facing serious criminal consequences after Orange Police officers located and recovered a recently stolen vehicle within approximately 30 minutes of receiving the report. According to the Orange Police Department, officers used Flock license plate recognition technology to help track down the stolen vehicle, leading to the suspect’s arrest and the safe return of…
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• 19-year-old allegedly fled at 100+ mph in rain before felony evading arrest by the Irvine Police

  13-10-2026 17:07 via New Santa Ana
  
  If you treat Irvine streets like a racetrack, don’t be surprised when the finish line is the Orange County Jail. According to the Irvine Police Department, officers observed a BMW run a red light and reach speeds exceeding 100 mph near Irvine Center Drive and Yale Avenue before the driver allegedly fled from an attempted traffic stop. Police later identified the suspected driver as…
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• OCDA announces massive $125M settlement in Garden Grove hazmat disaster

  13-10-2026 00:54 via New Santa Ana
  
  Nearly five months after a hazardous chemical emergency forced the evacuation of more than 50,000 Orange County residents over Memorial Day weekend, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has announced a proposed $125 million settlement with GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, Inc. and GKN Aerospace, Inc. related to the Garden Grove hazmat incident. The agreement still requires approval by…
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• Previously deported Mexican national sentenced to 10 years for meth trafficking in Orange County

  13-10-2026 00:42 via New Santa Ana
  
  A previously deported Mexican national who was found with a significant quantity of methamphetamine and ammunition in Orange County has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison as part of a federal initiative targeting narcotics trafficking and repeat criminal offenders. According to federal prosecutors, Juan Jose Guerra-Renteria, 46, a Mexican national who had previously been deported…
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• Santa Ana driver arrested after high-speed pursuit ends with cocaine arrest

  12-10-2026 23:50 via New Santa Ana
  
  A Santa Ana driver is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly leading officers on a dangerous pursuit through city streets before being stopped with the help of spike strips. According to the Santa Ana Police Department, the incident began around 2:30 a.m. when officers attempted a traffic stop. Instead of yielding, the driver allegedly fled, running multiple red lights and creating…
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• Santa Ana Ward 6 voters face choice between pro-police Giovanni Chavez and DSA-backed Isuri Ramos

  12-10-2026 22:57 via New Santa Ana
  
  Voters in Santa Ana’s Ward 6 will choose between two candidates with different backgrounds, governing styles, and political coalitions when they cast their ballots on November 3. Giovanni Chavez, a housing commissioner and attorney, is facing Isuri S. Ramos, a nonprofit executive director and current Planning Commission chair. Both candidates emphasize affordability, housing…
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