County Lines for May, 3, 2007 Pismo Beach Fight crime with your cell phone The Pismo Beach Police Department is asking cell phone users to help fight crime. A new program, called “e-Tip,” encourages people to snap pictures or video of suspicious circumstances on their cell phones and send them to The e-mails will go directly to the department's dispatch center, where it will be sent to officers. Those who witness suspicious vehicles or people in neighborhoods, dangerous conditions on city sidewalks or public stairways, or vehicles fleeing from a hit and run accident, for example, are encouraged to send a picture or video to the department. Orcutt No answer yet on Spencer's blackout Pacific Gas and Electric crews are still investigating what caused a blown transformer at Evergreen Center in Orcutt Tuesday. The transformer blew shortly before 2 p.m., leaving Spencer's grocery store and half of the other businesses in the shopping center without power until 11 p.m. According to Arne Olson, manager at Spencer's, total revenue lost isn't known yet. The popular grocery store moved all of its perishables to the market's rear coolers, so no inventory was lost during the outage, he said. Carol Boston's business, Evergreen Video, was also hit by the power outage. “We definitely were affected,” Boston said. “It absolutely killed me. Tuesday is the day we get new movies in, and they just sat on the shelf.” Boston estimates her lost revenue at $200. Santa Barbara Police seek identities of suspected thieves Law enforcement officials are asking the public for help in identifying a pair of suspects wanted in connection with a burglary at Milpas Rentals, 4321 State St. in Santa Barbara. The theft occurred March 28, and two men were caught by a surveillance camera (see photo below) taking equipment, including soil compactors, a concrete saw and pressure washers, according to a statement released by the Santa Barbara Sheriff's office. The stolen equipment is valued at more than $7,000, officials said. The two Hispanic male suspects are thought to be between the ages of 18 and 25. Officials believe a white minivan may have been used. Anyone with information that can help identify the suspects is asked to call the sheriff's office at 681-4150. Grover Beach Served warrants lead to arrests Two local men were arrested Tuesday afternoon after officers with the Grover Beach Police Department's Special Enforcement Team served a search warrant in the 900 block of 12th Street. The warrant was issued after an investigation into marijuana sales at that address, police said in a statement. Jayson Saldana, 21, was arrested on suspicion of possession for sale of marijuana and booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail, officials said. At the residence, police said they found a half-ounce of marijuana as well as packaging materials, a scale and a cell phone, which had sales-related text messages. The second man, John Gordon Vicars, 45, was in front of the house and was arrested on an out-of-county traffic warrant and for driving on a suspended license. Santa Maria Blood drive all set for May 10 Santa Maria city and Santa Barbara County employees are inviting the public to join them in donating blood May 10. The United Blood Services Bloodmobile is slated to be parked on South McClelland Street, between the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center and the lawn bowling green, from noon to 5 p.m. Potential donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and feel healthy the day of the donation. Also, potential donors must not have taken antibiotics in the prior 24 hours, organizers said. To sign up for a donation time call the event organizer, Mark van de Kamp, at 925-0951, Ext. 372. - From staff reports |