Goleta Valley Voice Roundup - 8/10

Front Page:
Pipe Dreams
Venoco will, sooner or later, have to stop shipping its oil by barge and use a pipeline. When they do it is the sticky issue.

News Briefs:
Council pushes ahead on General Plan changes
Despite protests from council member Jonny Wallis and community members regarding what they saw as lack of public involvement, the Goleta City Council on Monday voted 4-1 to go through with plans to initiate changes to the General Plan.

Park conversion ban stays; owner vows suit
The City Council on Monday voted to extend its interim moratorium on approvals of conversion of mobile home rental parks to resident-owned units, prompting attorneys for local mobile home park owners the Guggenheim family to file another lawsuit against the city.

In Brief

• Rehab worker accused of sexual assualt
• Zaca Fire information
• Red Cross offers disaster relief classes

Cyclist killed in Old Town crash
A man was killed in Old Town Wednesday morning when he apparently rode his bike into an 80,000 pound truck hauling sand and was crushed to death.

Sheriff's Blotter

• Lesson 1: Fights at 4:30 a.m. are not spectator sports
• Picture-taking pervert
• Scary stuff
• Return to sender
• Trippin’
• Another criminal genius
• Would you leave $2,000 laying around in Isla Vista?
• Bad place to pass out
• Climbing the walls

Viewpoint:
Mayor's Report: Life in the time of wildfires
As I write this on Tuesday, the skies are blue, the sun is shining and those clouds rising from the Zaca Fire are still white. Wildfires of this kind are so frightening — everything depending on the wind and its shifts. Forty-three years ago my family had to evacuate in the middle of the night due to a change in direction of the Coyote Fire. Believe me, that is an experience that one never forgets.

Community:
She’s calling the tune at Ellwood
When students return to Ellwood Elementary School for the start of another school year in just a few weeks, they’ll find someone new in the principal’s office — veteran educator Liz Rocha.

Goleta Scrapbook: Opulence on the hill
A prominent landmark even today, the 200-foot high hill that rises just west of the intersection of Fairview Avenue and Cathedral Oaks Road was once home to Dr. Walter Scott Franklin and his wife, Laura.

Business:
Raytheon gets contract for radar receivers
Raytheon Co. has won a $24.4million to supply the Royal Australian Air Force a digital radar warning receiver produced at the company’s Goleta facility.

Other articles at at the Goleta Valley Voice website.

Caretaker Accused of Sexual Assault Worked in the Community

KEYT (Video)

A Santa Barbara man charged with sexually assaulting a brain injury patient is free on $50,000 bail today. What some people are finding alarming is that Bruce Nelson was a High School Basketball Coach and a care giver to the most vulnerable of patients.

Authorities say Bruce Nelson is suspected of sexually assaulting at least two residents during his employment at Solutions, a rehabilitation home in Goleta for brain injury patients.

The parents of one of those patients, a 22-year-old woman, claim Nelson sexually assaulted their daughter during her two month stay, between April and June of this year.

The 55-year-old Santa Barbara resident served as an Assistant Coach for the last two seasons and in the mid-90s he was Head Coach at Dos Pueblos.

Sheriff's Spokesman Eric Raney says Detectives are concerned there may be more victims.

KEY NEWS Reporter Beth Farnsworth has the story.

Verizon Wireless Outage

KEYT has just reported that there is a Verizon Wireless outage that is affecting customers in the 805 area code. This is due to a fiber cable being cut.

More info as it becomes available...

Update: Bicyclist Killed By Truck in Goleta

SB Independent / Chris Meagher

A bicyclist was killed in Goleta Wednesday morning following a collision with a tractor trailer hauling sand, according to authorities. Sheriff’s department investigators believe the victim is a 26-year-old male resident of Goleta, but haven’t confirmed his identity. There was a Mexican identification card in the man’s possession.

The accident occurred just after 8 a.m. at the intersection of Hollister and Kellogg avenues. The truck was traveling westbound on Hollister, making a right turn Kellogg. Authorities are trying to determine where the cyclist was when he was struck by the truck and if he was moving at the time. According to reports, the driver of the truck wasn’t aware the biker was there. He became aware he hit something after he made the turn, Sgt. Erik Raney said.

Several witnesses were at the scene, but investigators are looking for more witnesses who might have seen the collision, including a group of four vehicles waiting at the traffic light traveling southbound on Kellogg. Anyone with information should call (805) 961-7518.

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KEYT

Officials Look for Witnesses to Fatal Accident

A fatal accident occurred on Wednesday morning on Hollister and Kellogg in Goleta.

The accident occurred just after 8:00 am when a Tractor Trailer hauling sand turned right onto Kellogg and a bicyclist riding straight on Hollister collided. The bicyclist died at the scene.

Sheriff's Investigator's have interviewed several witnesses, but are looking for any additional witnesses to the accident. One witness reported that four vehicles were stopped at the traffic light on Southbound Kellogg when the accident occurred. Investigators would like to speak with those drivers, as they may have information pertinent to the investigation.

The victim is believed to be a 26 year old Hispanic male and resident of Goleta. The victim's identity has not yet been confirmed.

Any one with information should call Deputy George DeLuca at 961-7518.

Media M.I.A. - Goleta Bicyclist Killed

There was a bicyclist that was hit and killed by an 18-wheeler on Wednesday around 8:15am in Goleta at Hollister and Kellogg. There was little mention of it on KEYT news last night, however, there has been no other coverage that can be found.

Fatal House Fire in Goleta

KEYT

An over-night house fire in Goleta claimed the life of a local man, sleeping in his bed. Flames burned the main structure at La Patera Rancho located on the 900 block of North La Patera Lane.

Santa Barbara County Fire Officials say two ranch workers were sleeping when the blaze broke out around 2 a.m. this morning.

The fire crews on the scene could not find a water supply on the property, so they had to draw from a nearby pond to battle the flames.

The blaze also came close to power lines. Firefighters discovered the victim's body after they doused the flames. The case of the fire is under investigation.

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SB Daily Sound

A two-alarm house fire early this morning in the Goleta Valley claimed the life of at least one resident, fire officials said.At 2:48 a.m., firefighters arrived at 900 N. La Patera Lane to find the main ranch house fully engulfed in flames, County Fire Spokesman Michael Burke said. Live power lines on the ground and a lack of water made it difficult for crews to knock down the blaze, officials said.

“That area is kind of rural, and basically we bring our own water with us up there, so we had to wait for our water tenders,” Burke said. “They lost pretty much the whole main house there on the ranch.”

At 1 p.m., Burke said investigators are still on the scene, trying to determine the cause of the blaze. Officials had not determined the age or gender of the victim yet, he said, adding that more information will be made available throughout the day.

Doreen Farr Opposing Brooks Firestone

SB Independent/Barney Brantingham

Doreen Running: Doreen Farr, former co-publisher of the Goleta Valley Voice newspaper and former 2nd District representative on the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, says she’s opposing 3rd District incumbent supervisor Brooks Firestone.

Farr, a former Goleta resident and 25-year area resident, now lives in the Santa Ynez Valley following her divorce from Jim Farr, with whom she shared ownership of the Voice.

Farr said she’s filed papers to allow her to raise funds, is gathering endorsements, and plans to start walking the district door-to-door; and it’s a huge area, stretching from the SY Valley over the mountains to Goleta.

“It’s a critical election,” she told me, citing such as issues as planning and the Gaviota Coast. Farr, who served on the Planning Commission after being appointed by then-Supervisor Susan Rose, has been president of the Santa Ynez Valley Alliance, which she described as “dedicated to protecting the rural character” of the Valley. She said she left the commission to do consultant work for the city of Goleta.

Dr. David Bearman says he also plans to challenge Firestone in the June, 2008 election. If no one receives over 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will face off in the November general election.

Firestone faces a tough fight because of the number of residents unhappy with his positions on development and other issues.

Goleta Valley Voice Roundup - 8/03

Front Page:
Born to dance: Goleta's Marissa Cordero steps out as Junior Spirit of Fiesta
With a megawatt smile and more poise than many ladies twice her age, Goleta girl Marissa Cordero is ready to stamp and clap her way through Fiesta as this year’s Junior Spirit.

News Briefs:
Parents urged to get school kids immunized
With the new school year fast approaching, Dr. Elliot Schulman, county health officer, is urging parents to be sure their children are fully immunized before classes begin. California schools are required to verify each child’s immunization record to ensure that all required doses are completed.

Sheriff's Blotter

• There's no law against being nice to a dog
• You can go home again
• Evildoers in Hope Ranch
• Delaying the inevitable
• Say what?
• Stolen firearm recovered on Fairview
• His lucky day
• Dine and dash

In Brief

• Foster parent orientation
• Town Hall meetings on mental health workers
• Anti-nuclear conference

Community:
Local Currents: Hitting for the life cycle
A lifetime of playing softball — 62 years — will be honored in October when Al Kumm of Goleta travels to Arizona to be inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall Of Fame, which boasts only 250 members since it was founded in 1995.

Schools of Thought: A simple goal for our children
Sometimes we want so much for our children, and our community’s children, that the task seems overwhelming. There are too many bases to cover, too many areas to nurture or protect to make sure our children get our best efforts and reach their full potentials.

Goleta teen to be awarded Eagle Scout
Alexander Wolff will be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on Aug. 11 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 380 N. Fairview Ave. Alex is the son of Les and Cathryn Wolff.

Goleta Scrapbook: When only ducks took off from here
You might not easily recognize this Goleta landmark now because these days it’s much drier, partially covered in concrete, and has a steady stream of airplanes landing on and taking off from it.

Business:
Strictly Local: A minor adjustment and a new career
Ismael Lira knew for a long time that he wanted a career in sports medicine, and after working three years as an assistant for chiropractor Mark Brisby he was ready to take the next step.

Other articles at at the Goleta Valley Voice website.

Update: One Dead in Officer Involved Shooting in Santa Barbara

The SB Independent has posted the details of the State Street shooting, released by the SB Police Department.

More details in the State Street shooting by two Santa Barbara police officers have been released. Police have identified the man killed by police as Wilfred A. Turner, 24, of Oxnard.

Complete Article is at http://www.independent.com/news/2007/aug/04/police-release-details-state-street-shooting/

Goleta General Plan Amendments

This coming Monday, August 6 at 6 p.m., the City Council will hold a second round public hearing to sponsor and initiate General Plan Amendments.

On Monday, September 4 at 6 p.m., the City Council will conduct a public workshop to receive input on the boundaries and objectives of a conceptual proposal for a City Sphere of Influence.

On Saturday, September 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the City Council will co-host with the Planning Commission a public workshop on proposed General Plan Amendments that are sponsored and initiated by the City.

On Saturday, September 22 from 9 a.m. to 3p.m., the City Council will co-host with the Planning Commission a second public workshop on proposed General Plan Amendments that are sponsored and initiated by the City.

On Friday, October 5 from 9 a.m. to 3p.m., the City will conduct a Housing Element certification public workshop and site visits.

Link To Documents

Developing Story: One Dead in Officer Involved Shooting in Santa Barbara

KEYT

Developing Story: Shooting Witnessed by Dozens of People
An officer involved shooting leaves one man dead on State Street in the downtown Santa Barbara nightclub district. Police Lieutenant Paul McCaffrey says the shooting is under investigation. He did not say why the man was shot. The incident occurred at 11:50 pm on State near Ortega Streets. The identity of the victim is not known. Hundreds of people were in the area, where several crowded bars and restaurants are located.

Witnesses told KEY News Senior Reporter John Palminteri on the scene, multiple shots were fired.

A customer at the Tonic nightclub, George Casique says he saw many people dive to the ground when the gunshots rang out. Casique says several officers had their weapons out, but he did not know if more than one officer fired the shots.

Taxi driver Brian Gray, was parked at the shooting scene. He said one bullet hit his vehicle, and blew out a tire.

The street was sealed off by police who detained dozens of witnesses. Police Chief Cam Sanchez was on the scene but has not made a statement.

The shooting took place as Santa Barbara was celebrating it's annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta. Earlier in the day a parade on State St. drew thousands of people.

Many extra officers, were assigned to the downtown area at the time to help with crowd control.

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SB Independent

A man was shot and killed by a Santa Barbara police officer outside The Habit Burger Grill restaurant on State Street just before midnight Friday. Witnesses described hearing multiple shots — reports varied from five shots, to seven, to an entire "clip" — and a chaotic scene with people taking cover and ducking. According to Lt. Paul McCaffrey, a fight broke out amongst several male suspects in front of the restaurant at around 11:50 p.m., and one suspect pulled out a handgun. “Moments later, several shots were fired,” McCaffrey said in a release. Police officers, who were out in full force due to the Fiesta holiday, responded immediately. "When we first arrived it was obviously chaotic," McCaffrey told a group of media gathered at Ortega and State Streets. "Every officer in De la Guerra Plaza was on the run," one witness said. Clubs, bars, restaurants, and all other businesses were almost immediately shut down, and patrons were forced to leave.

Police had State Street blocked off at Cota and Ortega Streets and, as of 3 a.m., were still working at the scene. Some media was lingering, as well as a cab driver whose cab was locked behind the police line and could not be accessed.

Another cab driver, Brian Gray of Yellow Taxi, said his cab had been parked right outside the Habit, and the front tire on the passenger side of his car had been shot. "I saw a cop shooting," said Gray, who was inside his vehicle at the time. "I think he unloaded a clip.”

Witnesses report seeing an African-American man wearing a "do-rag" being "dragged" to a police vehicle, but there were no official reports of arrests being made. McCaffrey said there were quite a few witnesses taken to the police department and he was unsure if any of them will be taken into custody. "Literally hundreds of people heard the shots," he said.

Police Chief Cam Sanchez was spotted on the scene around 2:30 a.m., but refused to comment on the incident. McCaffrey was also was mum on the details. "When there’s an officer involved in the shooting it’s important to make sure I’m right the first time," he said. "It’s important to be factual." He said any information he releases to the public has to first be run by the higher-ups in the department.

The forensic unit was on the scene taking photographs and investigating. A flood light, which was sitting in the middle of State Street, as well as a fire truck's aerial ladder, were used to help officers light and photograph the scene. Evidence near the body, which was covered with a white tarp, appeared to be a weapon, and McCaffrey confirmed a gun had been recovered.

No information is available about the deceased man. There were no other injuries, and the incident is still under investigation. Police reopened the 600 block of State Street at around 9 a.m. Saturday morning, but because of the uncertainty regarding when the street would reopen, the route of the Children’s Parade — which was supposed to end at State and Ortega Streets — will now run along State Street from Victoria to Canon Perdido Street.