Santa Barbara County
Board deadlocks on land-use changes
With one member no longer taking part in the debate, a Board of Supervisors evenly divided along north-south lines grappled Tuesday with how to proceed on land-use changes proposed for agricultural preserves.
An hour-long discussion bogged down when an initial motion, by Supervisor Janet Wolf, failed on a 2-2 vote. Her only support came from fellow South Coast member, Supervisor Salud Carbajal.
Supervisors Joe Centeno and Joni Gray voted against the motion to hold another board “workshop” prior to authorizing its staff to revise and publicly recirculate an environmental analysis of the new “uniform rules” for ag preserves.
In the end, the board agreed - on two, separate motions by Wolf and Gray - to hold a workshop later this month and to rework the environmental document between now and June, before the board adopts any of the rule changes,
For months, critics have called for a thorough analysis of the “cumulative impacts” of those and proposed changes to 20 other policies relating for farm lands before the new rules are finalized.
Supervisor Brooks Firestone last week recused himself from any further discussions or vote on the matter because he and his family own agricultural property enrolled in the preserve program.
Santa Maria
Man pleads in restroom taping case
A Grover Beach man arrested in October for videotaping women in a Santa Maria drug store restroom pleaded no contest Feb. 7 in Santa Barbara County Superior Court to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Thomas Abeyta, 22 at the time of his arrest, hid a video camera in a paper towel dispenser of the women's restroom at Longs Drug Store, 733 E. Main St., according to police.
Abeyta was placed on formal probation for 36 months, ordered to serve 60 days in county jail, obey all laws, submit to drug and alcohol testing and searches, abide by the sex offender addendum and advise future employers of the nature of his conviction, according to Deputy District Attorney Heather Sutton.
Abeyta, at the discretion of the court, was not required to register as a sex offender at this time. If Abeyta violates his probation, he could be required to register as a sex offender, Sutton reported.
Pismo Beach
Pier rescue call turns out to be prank
A water rescue was called off after police learned that a person was playing a prank when he reportedly jumped off the Pismo Pier and into the water Monday night.
The male subject, whose name and age were not available, walked out of the surf minutes after he was seen jumping off around 10:59 p.m., according to Pismo Beach Police.
“As far as I know there was no suicidal threat,” said Cpl. Shawn Singleton, adding also several juveniles were at the pier that night.
The jumper did not appear to have serious injuries, but he was taken to Arroyo Grande Community Hospital for observation, Singleton said. The jumper was not cited.
Central Coast
Hospitals ‘Start!' heart program
Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria and French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo are announcing today a new partnership with the American Heart Association to promote healthy lives.
The hospitals are sponsoring a new program, Start!, which calls upon Americans and employers to create a culture of physical activity and wellness.
Community members are invited to celebrate the announcement at 2:30 p.m. today at Marian's Health and Wellness Center, 1046 E. Main St., Santa Maria. Speakers will be addressing the importance of heart health, and refreshments and giveaways will be provided.
For more information, call Megan Maloney at 542-6498 or Amy Silva at 739-3594.
Santa Maria
Police searching for stabbing suspect
Police are still searching for a man who allegedly stabbed a Santa Maria man outside a convenience store last week.
Paulino Pommier, 21, is believed to be in the Santa Barbara area, where he lives. Santa Maria Police are asking the public to call for information of his location.
Pommier, who was originally thought to be from Santa Maria, allegedly stabbed Santiago Escalante, 29, outside a convenience store in the 800 block of West Cook Street about 6:20 a.m. Feb. 7, said Lt. Larry Ralston.
Escalante, who had a single stab wound to his stomach, was treated at Marian Medical Center and released.
Police had said the stabbing followed a verbal dispute inside the store but the incident is still being investigated.
Anyone with information is asked to call 928-3781 or the anonymous tip line, Crime Stoppers, at 1-877-800-9100.
Sacramento
Nava introduces two safety bills
Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, introduced two bills Tuesday addressing safety issues across the state.
The first piece of legislation, AB 321, would create new speed limits around schools when children are present. The speed limit within 1,000 feet of a school would be set at 25 mph and within 500 feet it would be 15 mph.
The second bill, AB 325, looks to create a Peace Officer Recruitment and Retention Commission to look at ways to boost the ranks of the state's law enforcement.
Nava represents the 35th Assembly District, which runs from Buellton to Ventura.
Santa Maria
City fills two staff positions
The beginning of 2007 has seen Santa Maria city fill two key positions - one has been empty since the summer and the other is a newly created post.
Brad Hageman, previously the Paso Robles water resources and utilities manager, was brought on board Feb. 5 as Santa Maria's utilities engineer. Hageman was with Paso Robles for two years and prior to that worked at the Regional Water Quality Control Board in San Luis Obispo where he spent four years as that organization's executive officer.
Hageman has a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering and a master's degree in civil engineering. Both degrees are from Cal Poly. He replaces John Zhao, who left the city in July for job in Southern California.
Brian Smith, began as Santa Maria's advanced planner Jan. 22. The new position was created in the 2006-07 budget to help with long-term planning.
Smith previously worked for more than five years at the URS Corp. in Santa Ana and worked on creating the San Bernardino County General Plan. He also worked for nine years with the city of Modesto and headed up that community's advanced planning.
Smith holds a bachelor's degree in economics from UC Berkeley and a master's degree in city and regional planning from San Diego State University.
- From staff reports
February 14, 2007
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