Santa Barbara County

Report released

on Lake Cachuma

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has released an environmental report listing three options for the future management of Lake Cachuma.

Lake Cachuma is a reservoir that provides water to South Coast cities and the Santa Ynez Valley, but it is also a natural resource and recreational hot spot, according to the Bureau of Reclamation report.

The three alternatives listed would be applicable for 20 years and include continuing the current management practices, balancing natural resource protection with recreational opportunities and emphasizing expanded recreational opportunities.

A public hearing on the report is scheduled Tuesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Veteran's Memorial Hall at 1745 Mission Drive in Solvang.

Advertisement

Written comments on the draft environmental impact statement will be accepted until Sept. 23, and a copy and more information can be viewed at usbr.gov.

---

Arroyo Grande

City cancels council, mayor elections

Arroyo Grande voters won't be going to the polls on Nov. 4 to cast votes for City Council members and the mayor, as the council voted Thursday to cancel the election.

The council opted to cancel the election, saving the city about $10,000, because no one challenged any of the incumbents for their seats, which were up for re-election.

During Thursday's special meeting, the incumbents - Mayor Tony Ferrara and councilmen Ed Arnold and Jim Guthrie - were appointed to their respective seats on the council.

Additionally, City Clerk Kelly Wetmore, who was the only person to file for election to her position, was appointed at the meeting, as was Michelle Mayfield, who was the only candidate to file papers for treasurer.

---

Santa Maria

Driver arrested

after fatal accident

A man suspected of being drunk when the pickup truck he was driving crashed and killed one of his passengers and injured two others remained in San Luis Obispo County Jail Friday.

Jesse A. Hope, 19, of Norwalk was arrested on suspicion of felony drunken driving and vehicular manslaughter following the Thursday afternoon crash.

Hope's bail was set at $100,000, reported the jail.

Hope was driving southbound in the fast lane of Highway 101 north of Highway 166, traveling about 75 mph, when he lost control of the vehicle and it veered into the median, the CHP has said. The truck then swerved back across the fast lane, back into the median and rolled approximately three times, coming to a stop across the southbound lanes.

An unconfirmed report described a Chrysler PT Cruiser making an unsafe lane change, which caused Hope to swerve, according to the CHP.

Chadrik T. Miller, 20, of Fountain Valley was killed in the crash.

Cydney L. Bonilla, 20, of San Clemente and Robert A. Chamberlain, 20, of Huntington Beach suffered moderate and major injuries respectively in the crash.

Chamberlain was in serious condition Friday at Marian Medical Center, and Bonilla was in fair condition at the hospital, reported a hospital spokeswoman.

Hope suffered moderate injuries in the crash, and was taken to Marian Medical Center but has since been released.

---

Santa Maria

Special meetings

set for community

Community meetings are scheduled in the coming months to provide answers and direction for residents on general city-related questions.

The meetings, which will accommodate English and Spanish speakers, are scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on:

n Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Atkinson Community Center, 1000 N. Railroad St.

n Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 E. Park Ave.

n Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Minami Community Center, 600 W. Enos Dr.

For more information call Rosie Narez, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 925-0951 Ext. 414.

---

Santa Maria

Services to take Labor Day off

There will be no street sweeping or trash and recycling collection on Monday, Sept. 1, because of the Labor Day holiday, the city has announced.

Pick-up will be one day later than the normal pick-up day. City offices and the Santa Maria Regional Landfill will also be closed on Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day.

For more information, call the Utilities Department at 925-0951 Ext. 7270.

- From staff reports