“Given the reaction of the Planning Commission, we though we should go and re-access the project,” said North Hills LLC Partner, Randy Wheeler. “I think we will come to the Board of Supervisors with a proposal for study, we really don’t know when we will come forward. We haven’t gotten that far.”

The postponement comes after the Planning Commission voted 4-1 on June 12 to not recommend the North Hills development project to the Board of Supervisors for further study.

North Hills is a conceptual urban development plan that would be based in the Orcutt Hills and is proposed to have up to 7,500 housing developments as well as other facilities. The Board of Supervisors has the final say to approve a project study of North Hills.

 

Santa Ynez Rotary Club Calls for Community Support

Because of loss of revenue stemming from a location change of the Fourth of July fireworks show, the Santa Ynez Rotary club is asking for community support. This is the 13th year of the Fireworks show. The location change does not allow the club to charge admission, which it previously has. The club will be holding some fund raisers during Fourth of July celebrations at the mission. Some of them include the Linguissa Booth, the Beer and Wine Garden, the Trinket Booth and the Patriot dinner.

“Every ounce of money that the Rotary club makes goes right back to the community and to non-profits for college scholarships,” said Rotary Club member and future President John Rasmussen. “It’s a great community event. I’m always going away feeling terrific. We’re all about giving back to the community.”

The Patriot dinner will be open to everyone. It will feature a gourmet barbecue with Angus beef tri-tip, salmon, chicken, Caesar salad, corn on the cob, beans and garlic bread. Soft drinks will be included. Wine and beer will be available. The price is a $35 donation that will benefit the club.

“A dinner of this quality, at the site of the fireworks, at this price, is a real bargain,” said Santa Ynez Rotary Club President David Wyatt in a letter featured in issue 10 of “The Cog Wheel.” “I think there will be a huge demand for the tickets.” For more information about the Fourth of July celebration and or the fundraisers, e-mail Paul Matthies at pmatthies@aol.com.

 

Teacher Charged with Furnishing a Minor with Marijuana

After an investigation lasting nearly a month, The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against a 31-year-old teacher for allegedly furnishing a 14-year-old with marijuana. Melissa Dunning was temporarily teaching at Goleta Valley Junior High School and tutoring the victim at her house on Spring Street in Santa Barbara. The investigation began after the victim’s parents informed the Sheriff’s Department that they suspected their child was smoking marijuana with Dunning.

According to a statement released by the Sheriff’s Department, detectives investigated the allegations and learned that on three separate occasions Dunning allegedly smoked marijuana with the 14-year-old victim. On one of those occasions, the illegal activity involved a second 14-year-old victim, authorities said.

The Sheriff’s Department cautions parents to be aware of any drug activity their children may be involved in.

“Parents always need to scrutinize where and who their children are with. Being aware of the company your children keep is important for keeping them out of harms way,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney.

 

Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Mother for Felony Child Endangerment

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a 47-year-old mother June 26 for child endangerment after she allegedly left her 2-year-old twin boys in her 2007 Jeep Commander. According to a statement issued by the Sheriff’s Department, the mother is Pamela Dillman of Montecito. She arrived on the scene 30 minutes after deputies discovered the vehicle. Deputies found the boys restrained in car seats, appearing to be sleeping, with the car doors locked.

“It was determined by the deputies that she was in and around the stores in the Calle Real Shopping Center in Goleta,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney. “This is not a common occurrence. If you think that leaving your kids in the car for only five minuets is not harmful, you may be right, but it’s best to never leave your kids in the car unattended. There are a myriad of things that could happen.”

Dillman was taken to the Santa Barbara County Jail and held on a $100,000 bail. The two children were taken to the Goleta Valley Hospital for evaluation and were later released into the custody of their father.

 

 

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department to Hold DUI Checkpoint

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department has scheduled a sobriety checkpoint in the Goleta area for June 29. Drivers crossing the checkpoint will be detained momentarily while deputies check their driver’s licenses and explain the checkpoint procedure. The checkpoint will be operated from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. According to a statement released by the Sheriff’s department, checkpoints on roads with identified DUI problems and detaining drivers for a limited time helps ensure traffic safety. Though arrests don’t dramatically rise as a result of the checkpoints, they do reduce the number of drinking drivers.

“DUI Checkpoints are pretty routine law enforcement operations,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney. “They’re beneficial in two ways. One, the mere knowledge of the presence of checkpoints is a deterrent from drinking and driving and two, the checkpoints themselves take drunk drivers off the road.”

Funding for these checkpoints is provided by a grant from the California Office of Public Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

Mission Olive Trees to be Planted at Old Santa Ines Mission

The Old Mission Santa Ines will soon plant the seeds toward its very own olive field in July. The Mission will plant 1,700 California Mission Olive Trees in the lower field in front of the Mission at the bottom of the bluff. The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation will also plant the same olive trees on the property directly behind the Mission’s lower lot.

“We’re excited about it because it takes us back to our roots,” said Shelia Benedict, parish administrator. “Historically California Mission Olive Trees were all over all 21 Missions.

“It will be a very big educational experience for kids,” she said. “When the trees are bigger, you’ll be able to view olive trees as far as the eye can see.”

The field being planted on the Mission’s property totals 15 acres by the Santa Barbara Olive Company. The roots of the California Mission olive can be traced back to the orchards of the Jesuit and Franciscan missions founded in the 1700s throughout the state.

Old Mission Santa Ines will begin preparation for the planting right after the Fourth of July. People interested in sponsoring a California Mission Olive tree at the Mission can contact the Old Mission Santa Ines at 688-4815 ext. 40. Sponsorships start at $50.

 

Sexual Assault Suspect Caught with Help of Sheriff’s K-9

A 38-year-old male transient from Goleta was arrested on June 27 for allegedly sexually assaulting and kidnapping an 8-year-old girl at Girsch Park in Goleta. According to a statement released by the Sheriff’s Department, the suspect, Leobardo Alatorre, forced the child into a secluded area in the park while she was riding her bike and her father and brother played basketball on nearby courts. Once in seclusion, Alatorre allegedly kissed and molested the girl. Alatorre did not release the victim until she threatened to tell her father. Then the suspect reportedly fled the scene, leaving some of his belongings at the scene.

A deputy and his K-9, Betti, arrived at the scene at approximately 6:30 p.m. Betti was able to track the suspect’s scent to a drainage pipe under the railroad tracks near the Storke Road Highway 101 overpass. The suspect was sleeping when deputies found him. Alatorre was arrested and taken to the Santa Barbara County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Department cautioned parents on how to avoid dangerous situations.

“Be aware of your surroundings and your child’s location at all times when in public places,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney in a press release. “Teach them to always check with a parent before going anywhere.”