Santa Maria

Strange odor causes Hancock evacuation

Santa Maria city staff members are monitoring the area around the South Campus of Hancock College after Building P was evacuated Thursday afternoon when students and staff smelled a strong odor similar to rotten eggs, according to officials with the Santa Maria Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to the campus on South College Drive around 12:15, when what started as a faint odor become stronger, said Battalion Chief Dan Orr.

The gas company was called, lines were inspected and no leaks were found, Orr said. After doing “their due diligence” in investigating the smell, the department was able to reopen the building, he said.

Officials thought the foul odor could be sewer gas, so the city's streets and facilities staff members are expected to monitor the area today, Orr said. Additionally, he said, the gas company was expected to check lines in the street.

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San Luis Obispo

Police keep quiet about family deaths

Police said Thursday that they don't plan to release anymore information immediately on an apparent murder-suicide Wednesday morning at a home in the 1700 block of Frambuesa Drive that left a San Luis Obispo husband and wife dead along with their 7-year-old daughter.

San Luis Obispo police identified the dead as John Michael Rivard, 48, Barbara Rivard, 44, and Olivia Rivard, 7. All three died of gunshot wounds, police reported.

When police arrived, they found the three bodies. The gun believed to be the weapon used in the shootings was found at the scene.

Two other children of John and Barbara Rivard, a 5-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, were found uninjured at the home. They were taken into protective custody.

Investigators are trying to determine the sequence of events, which person was responsible for each shooting, and the motive.

Police said they will release additional information as soon as possible.

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Santa Maria

Police seek victims in vehicle burglary

Santa Maria Police are trying to find more possible victims of a pair of suspects arrested Wednesday in connection with a vehicle burglary in the 1800 block of Lauren Lane.

Police arrested Delores Aceves, 40, of Santa Maria and Erin Erwin, 42, of Santa Maria, after being called to Lauren Lane on the report of a car burglary that had just occurred, police said. Witnesses directed police to a vehicle that may have been involved in the incident and officials found numerous stolen items in that vehicle.

While investigating the area, police said, they found Aceves in the 1700 block of Carlotti. Aceves, who is on probation, was found in possession of stolen items, police said. She was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property.

Erwin was found driving in the area and was determined to be connected to Aceves, officials said. Erwin, who is also on probation, was stopped by police and found to be under the influence of a controlled substance, officials said. After searching his vehicle, police say they found drugs and Erwin was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

Two victims of burglary have been found and some of their possessions returned, police said, but officials are looking for other possible victims.

- From staff reports