County Lines for November 2, 2007 Santa Maria Stabbing of teen being investigated Investigators from the Santa Maria Police Department's gang unit are investigating a stabbing Wednesday night that sent a 15-year-old trick-or-treater to the hospital. The boy, whose identity was not released, was trick-or-treating when the suspects, described as male gang members, chased the victim to the corner of Bunny Avenue and McClelland Street, according to police. There, he was stabbed multiple times. Police officials say the case could be gang related, but it is still under investigation. Santa Barbara County Change clocks before bed Saturday night Daylight-saving time will end Sunday at 2 a.m., a week later than previous years, and to be on time that day, residents should set their clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night. In addition to changing clocks, local fire departments are also reminding all county residents to change their smoke alarm batteries when they change their clocks back to standard time. Changing smoke detector batteries and testing the devices to ensure they work is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries, according to local fire officials. Statistics show that a working fire alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire almost in half, authorities said. Additionally, it is recommended that people change smoke alarms every 10 years. Changing batteries in smoke detectors is recommended twice a year, with the daylight-saving time changes used as reminders. For more information on smoke detectors and how to change the batteries, residents may call their local fire departments' business lines. San Luis Obispo County Lunch boxes recalled because of lead Canvas lunch boxes with a logo that reads “Eat Fruits & Vegetables and Be Active” that were distributed through county and state agencies are being recalled because they contain elevated levels of lead, according to the San Luis Obispo County Health Department. Approximately 56,000 of the recalled lunch boxes were distributed throughout the state earlier this year. Health officials said they don't know how many of the lunch boxes were distributed locally. The lunch boxes were distributed to low-income families through the state Department of Public Health Services, county Health Department, Head Start Program and county Department of Agriculture. Individuals who have one or more of the canvas lunch boxes should return them to one of these collection sites: 286 S. 16th St., Grover Beach; 2191 Johnson Ave., San Luis Obispo; and 5575 Capistrano Ave., Atascadero. No known cases of lead poisoning resulting from use of the lunch boxes has been reported. Parents who have concerns about lead exposure should contact their doctor, according to the county Health Department. For more information about lead poisoning, visit www.slocounty.ca.gov/health/prevention/childlead.htm. Santa Ynez Valley 2,000 expected for Prelude bike ride The 18th Annual Solvang Prelude Bike Ride will take place Saturday, once again starting and ending at the Royal Scandinavian Inn in downtown Solvang. The Prelude Bike Ride, organized by the SCOR Cardiac Cyclists Club, is expected to have about 2,000 participants. The ride functions as a fundraiser for charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation, and several summer camps for children with congenital heart disease. Riders will travel one of three routes, the longest being 63 miles. All routes remain in the Santa Ynez Valley area, going only as far north as Figueroa Mountain Road. The courses open at 7:30 a.m., with the last riders finished no later than 3:30 p.m. No roads will be closed for the ride. However, CHP and Santa Barbara County sheriff's officers will be providing intersection control in certain locations and they ask drivers to use extra caution. San Luis Obispo County Program offers county artists cash grants Some local artists will be rewarded for their creative expression with cash grants of $2,000 each through a program sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation and SLO County Arts Council. A total of $10,000 will be available in this grant cycle for local artists who have been county residents for at least one year, are at least 18 years of age and produce artistic works that are accessible to the community, according to the Community Foundation. Grants will be awarded on the basis of the quality of the artist's work, the use of innovative methods of creative expression, and the project's accessibility and feasibility in the local community. Artists who qualify include actors, choreographers, dancers, musicians, composers, painters, sculptors, printmakers, poets, multimedia artists, playwrights, theater artists and spoken-word performers. Applications must be submitted by Monday. Complete guidelines and application forms are available at www.sloartscouncil.org or www.sloccf.org. For more information, call Cynthia Anthony at 543-2323. - From staff reports |