Santa Maria

Trial set to begin in molestation case

A former Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputy accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl is scheduled to begin trial Oct. 22.

The trial date was set Wednesday in Superior Court in Santa Maria during a hearing for defendant Jon Holm.

Holm, 31 at the time of his arrest July 7, 2006, has been charged by the district attorney's office with five counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a 15-year-old girl and one count of oral copulation on a minor.

The alleged victim has testified that Holm had sex with her on several occasions in her bedroom at her grandparents' house during a two-week period in late 2005.

Holm has been fired from the sheriff's department.

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San Luis Obispo County

Two birds, horse test for West Nile virus

Two more birds and a horse in northern San Luis Obispo County have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the county health agency.

A yellow warbler and a California towhee were both found dead in Los Osos in August, officials said, and a horse from Paso Robles also tested positive.

Three other birds have been found this year in Oceano, Nipomo and San Luis Obispo, officials said.

In 2006 no West Nile virus was found in the county until August, and one human case was diagnosed in late August, officials said. For 2006 San Luis Obispo County had 5 infected horses and 14 dead birds.

The disease is spread by mosquitoes, and officials say the best way to guard against infection is to protect against the insect, such as using bug spray that contains DEET and removing standing water.

For more information about West Nile virus see

www.westnile.ca.gov.

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Santa Maria

Park recognized for health programs

Santa Maria's Rotary Centennial Park was recognized Wednesday by the League of California Cities as a 2007 Helen Putnam Award winner.

The park, which was developed through a partnership with the city and local Rotary clubs, received the Award for Excellence in the category of Health and Wellness Programs, according to a statement released by the league.

The park, near Fire Station No. 4 at 2637 South College Drive, features the Robin Ventura baseball field, walking trails, exercise stations, playground equipment and a basketball court.

City officials received the award during the League of California Cities annual conference in Sacramento.

The Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes outstanding cities that deliver the highest quality and level of service in the most effective manner possible, according to the league.

The League of California Cities represents the state's incorporated cities by lobbying in the Legislature and elsewhere, and supplies other coordinating and support services for cities.

- From staff reports