Santa Barbara County
County to seek cost recovery for fire
Santa Barbara County fire officials say the county will try to recover the costs of firefighting efforts related to a small grass fire Thursday afternoon near San Antonio Creek Road and Pennell Road near Highway 154 outside of Santa Barbara.
The blaze ignited around 1:40 p.m. in a large grass field bordered by San Antonio Creek Road, Via Los Santos and Pennell Road, said Capt. Eli Iskow of Santa Barbara County Fire. Crews from the county and a near by U.S. Forest Service station were able to contain the fire at 2.6 acres just after 2 p.m. Full control was declared at 3:24 p.m.
The fire was started, Iskow said, by a commercial contract mower that was being used to clear vegetation. The mower apparently struck a rock and sent sparks into the dry grass.
Santa Maria
Man stabbed in robbery attempt
A 39-year-old Santa Maria man was stabbed Friday afternoon during an attempted robbery at a city park.
Felipe Bautista Hernandez, an ice cream vendor, was working at Minami Park, 600 W. Enos Drive, when he was stabbed in the bathroom by an unknown man, police said.
The suspect followed Hernandez into the restroom and attempted to rob him just before 4 p.m., according to a police statement. No property was taken, but Hernandez was stabbed in the neck.
Hernandez was taken to Marian Medical Center for treatment and released.
Police said the suspect - described as a Hispanic man in his 20s, 5 feet, 6 inches tall - was last seen wearing a dark orange hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-800-9100.
Santa Barbara County
Crews quickly squash afternoon vehicle fire
Santa Barbara County fire crews were able to keep a vehicle fire from spreading to nearby brush in a rural area east of New Cuyama Friday afternoon.
Crews from the county Fire Station 41 responded to the reported vehicle fire in Ballinger Canyon near Highway 33, said Capt. Eli Iskow, county fire spokesman.
Firefighters found a pickup truck on fire but were able to confine the flames to the truck, Iskow said.
Santa Barbara County
Natural gas leak leads to evacuation
Traffic south of Tanglewood in the area of Black Road and Dutard Road was disrupted for about 15 minutes Friday afternoon when the area was evacuated due to a natural gas leak, according to Santa Barbara County fire officials.
A tractor working in a field near the intersection hit a 2-inch natural gas line, said Capt. Eli Iskow, county fire spokesman. The gas flow was shut down at the meter that fed the line, Iskow said, stopping the leak and the hazard.
Lompoc
Search for missing man continues
The Lompoc Police Department was continuing to search Friday for a missing Sebastapol man, who disappeared last week after a fight with his girlfriend.
Michael Wallace, 39, and his girlfriend - both Sebastapol residents - drove to the Lompoc area to visit with a family on June 6, police said.
The couple was staying at a local motel, and Monday, around 2 p.m., reportedly engaged in a verbal argument. Police said Wallace exited the taxicab the couple was riding in during their argument and walked away, barefoot.
Police said they are concerned for Wallace's welfare due to his lack of knowledge of area, lack of money, food, or shelter and a lack of appropriate clothing to protect him from the elements.
He also has a pre-existing medical condition that could need attention in the future.
Wallace is described as sporting a long hair and beard, standing 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, and was last seen barefoot wearing pajamas.
Anyone with information regarding Wallace's whereabouts is asked to call 875-8120 or 736-2341.
Santa Maria
Police investigate Bunny Ave. stabbing
Santa Maria Police are investigating a stabbing that occurred Thursday night in the 100 block of West Bunny Avenue.
The victim, Pedro Hernandez Aparicio, 26, of Santa Maria was found by police near Alvin Avenue and Broadway just after
10 p.m., police said. Aparicio had a single stab wound to his left side, and was taken to Marian Medical Center, police said.
Hospital officials said he was in fair condition Friday.
Aparicio told police he was walking in the 100 block of West Bunny Avenue when he was approached by a man who brandished a knife and then stabbed him. The unknown suspect then ran to a vehicle that was in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-800-9100.
Santa Barbara County
New county newsletter available
Congressman Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, is launching a new e-mail newsletter for constituents who sign up at his Web site
www.house.gov/gallegly.
Gallegly represents the 24th District, which includes parts of Santa Barbara County including Santa Ynez Valley, Vandenberg Village, Lompoc and Orcutt.
“In addition to providing residents with updates on what is going on in Washington, D.C. every newsletter will give subscribers an opportunity to provide feedback to me on a variety of issues.”
For those who want to want to send a regular letter, Gallegly can be reached at Thousand Oaks Office, 2829 Towngate Road, Suite 315, Thousand Oaks, 91361-3018.
- From staff reports
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