Santa Maria
EPA: Greka cleanup to finish Friday
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects the clean-up of a January oil spill at Greka Energy's Bell Lease facility to be done by Friday.
The EPA reportedly removed 3,726 cubic yards of oil-impacted solids from the western Upper Bell Pond, the source of the spill, for disposal at a hazardous-waste facility.
Along with the Department of Fish and Game, the EPA restored the creek to prevent erosion during rain.
The EPA removed the Upper Bell Pond due to oil contamination of the soil.
On April 1, the EPA took over control of cleanup efforts at Bell Lease, and finished the work started by Greka's contractor, according to the EPA.
A stop-work order at the Bell Lease site was lifted about a month ago, but stop-work orders remain in effect at three other Greka facilities.
Sacramento
Maldonado salary bill dies in committee
A state constitutional amendment authored by Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, that would have tied legislators' salaries to the economy was killed Wednesday in the Senate Rules Committee, according to Maldonado's staff.
The bill, SCA 23, would have prohibited the Citizens Compensation Commission from granting pay increases for legislators during a budget deficit. The bill was defeated on a 3-1 vote, with one abstention, officials said. The only support of the bill came from Senate Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland.
“What I learned today is that my colleagues hold themselves to a different standard than our constituents. They are willing to cut programs to the neediest Californians, or raise taxes, or find other creative ways to balance the budget on the backs of hard working Californians,” Maldonado said in a written statement. “But when I tried to pass a simple, common sense piece of legislation that would make us accountable for the fiscal messes we create, they threw up their arms in disgust and complained.”
Santa Maria
Victim injured in robbery
A Santa Maria man was robbed by two Hispanic men dressed in all black while walking in the 100 block of South Western Avenue, according to Santa Maria Police Department.
Alejandro Rodriguez, 21, suffered minor injuries during the incident, in which his wallet and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken at 10 p.m., police officials said.
The suspects were described as approximately 5 feet tall and 21 years old. One was described as weighing 120 pounds while the other was 180 pounds.
Buellton
Paving to close Highway 246 ramps
Highway 246 on- and offramps from the Avenue of Flags to McMurray Road in Buellton will be closed for several hours in both directions today and Friday for Caltrans paving projects.
During the closures, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, motorists will be detoured southbound to Santa Rosa Road or northbound to McMurray Road.
For traffic updates on other state highways in Santa Barbara County, call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 549-3318 or visit
www.dot.ca.gov/dist/05/maint/road/upsb.htm.
Santa Maria
City Council OKs $200K business loan
The Santa Maria City Council has approved the largest loan to date under the city's Business Retention and Attraction Loan Program.
On a 4-0 vote, the council approved a $200,000 loan Tuesday night to Sanchez Properties LLC for the businesses La Bodeguita Inc. and Super Carniceria La Chiquita Corp.
Councilwoman Hilda Zacarias did not participate in the action, citing consulting work she had done for the business.
The company plans to use the money to help purchase and renovate a warehouse complex - consisting of four units and an office - at 614-700 Orange St., according to the loan report summary.
La Bodeguita provides produce warehousing and distribution to the Super Carniceria La Chiquita markets and other local independent stores.
Santa Maria
AHC academies' commencement near
Commencement exercises for graduates of the Hancock College law enforcement and fire academies are set to take place Friday at First Christian Church of Santa Maria, at 1550 South College Dr.
The new firefighters will graduate at 9 a.m. that day, said Rebecca Alarcio, college spokeswoman.
The new members of law enforcement will graduate at 11 a.m. on May 30, she said.
Santa Barbara County
‘Avoid the 12' on Highway 154
Law enforcement agencies from around Santa Barbara County are planning a focused anti-DUI campaign along Highway 154 over the Memorial Day weekend.
Dubbed “Avoid the 12” for the 12 county law enforcement agencies involved, officials plan to saturate Highway 154 with patrols from 2 to 10 p.m. Friday and Sunday, organizers said. Over the last three years, Highway 154 has been the scene of 15 DUI crashes.
“Three of the 15 crashes were fatal, including the one that killed Santa Barbara County District Attorney Investigator Laura Cleaves on May 1,” said Lt. Marty Maples of the California Highway Patrol Buellton command.
In addition, Lompoc Police are planning a sobriety checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. Sunday at an undisclosed location.
A similar saturation campaign is also planned May 31 for the Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria.
- From staff reports
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