Archive » August 3, 2007

NEWS IN BRIEF

 

 

Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital Breaks Ground in Renovation

 

The Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital broke ground on its $12 million renovation and expansion project Aug 1. The project will include seismic upgrades to some existing buildings as well as the building of a new medical-surgical unit, an updated radiology and imaging suite and new CT scanners.

“As the only hospital in the Santa Ynez Valley providing our community with in-patient care out-patient and emergency services is extremely important and the Valley community has been incredible in supporting the fundraising drive for the new hospital.” said Public Affairs Representative Janet O’Neill.

According to a release issued by the Cottage Hospital, additional features to the upgrades will include individual temperature control and enhancement in patient’s room as well as a healing garden and landscaping improvements.

The project follows a state mandate stemming from Senate Bill 1953, which required hospitals to seismically retrofit or rebuild by a given date.

“It’s an 18-month project and we’re hoping to get started in a month or so, the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital is scheduled to be the first of three Cottage hospitals to be completed,” O’Neill said.

“Through the years it has been planned piece by piece, which gives us a chance to look at the project in a more cohesive way,” she added.

 

Santa Barbara Attempts to Suppress Gang Activity

 

The Santa Barbara Police Department has taken an even more proactive and aggressive stance on busting up gang activity in Santa Barbara. Following the July 16 homicide of Lorenzo Carachure the police department has increased its bicycle patrols, added more gang officers to the streets and searching more residences in known gang activity areas.

According to a release issued by the Santa Barbara Police Department, officers have arrested 35 gang members and associates and searched more than 60 residences. Of the arrests assault with a deadly weapon and possession of illegal weapons as well as probation violation charges have been brought against most of the arrestees.

Increased police activity includes daytime and nighttime gang patrols.

On July 31, the Santa Barbara Police Department arrested 13 known gang members on a variety of charges, including probation violation and drug charges.

“This sweep is the latest effort in response to gang violence,” said Public Information Officer Paul McCaffrey in a statement released to the public. 

 

Santa Barbara Holds Zaca Fire Town Hall Meeting

 

Nearly a month after the Zaca Fire started, Firefighters, Cal Fire and other authorities held another town hall meeting, this time in Santa Barbara. More than 200 people attended the meeting including Assemblymember Pedro Nava, which lasted nearly two hours.

Firefighters spoke about the nature and characteristics of the Zaca Fire, including the reasons why the fire has been difficult to extinguish.

“This fire is very difficult to control and we’re trying to keep it from getting into the communities. We are also trying to attempt to hold it where it is so it doesn’t spread,” said Aaron Gelobter, joint unified incident commander.

Many people in attendance found the meeting to be very informative and helpful.

Zaca Fire Updates were handed out along with “Living with Wildfire” brochures and emergency radio information refrigerator magnets.

“I found the meeting very informative and helpful,” said Santa Barbara Trout Club resident Virginia Bobro.

For up-to-date information on the Zaca Fire, visit www.inciweb.org or www.sbfire.com.

 

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder after Stabbing a Man in Isla Vista

 

Police caution against confronting people who harass other people after a 22-year-old man was stabbed and attacked by a 20-year-old in Isla Vista July 21.

According to a release issued by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, 20-year-old Paul Ozhekh was stabbed multiple times in the back by 20-year-old David Hartsock from Santa Maria, after he confronted Hartsock for heckling him.

The assault occurred on 6651 Sabado Tarde Road in Isla Vista. According to the report, witnesses to the attack said the victim and a friend were skateboarding down the street, when they engaged in a verbal altercation with Hartsock. After the victim and the suspect were standing face-to-face, Hartsock allegedly stabbed the victim and then fled the scene.

Later it was discovered that Hartsock was arrested by CHP for driving under the influence after he crashed his car on the 101 freeway shortly after the stabbing.

“The argument was really nothing, but the suspect essentially heckled the victim and the victim responded to it and that was the outcome,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department. “You never know who you’re dealing with and if you’re responding to someone heckling you, they are probably looking for a fight, even if you think that the person isn’t a threat to you, you don’t know what they are capable of, so it’s best to just not respond.”

Hartsock was arrested and charged with attempted murder following an examination of all the evidence. Ozhekh was taken to Santa Barbara County Hospital and is recovering from his wounds.

 

Authorities Take More Drugs off the Streets in Santa Barbara County

 

July 25 and 26 proved to be very successful for Lompoc Narcotics detectives after they busted more than four suspects for drug-related activity.

After serving a warrant on the 500^th block of North F St. in Lompoc, Narcotic detectives confiscated approximately 67 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of $6,700, three grams of powder cocaine, one gram of rock cocaine and more than $3,000.

Detectives arrested 34-year-old Jose Evangelista from Tanglewood Calif. and 34-year-old Leopoldo Perez from Lompoc for being in possession of controlled substances.

“This is a weekly occurrence,” said Public Information Officer Erik Raney. “The amount of drug seized wasn’t anything significant, it did however show that they had intent to sale.”

“For all the narcotics units, this is an example of the daily routine of a narcotics enforcement unit,” he said.

The drugs seize and arrests on July 26 occurred on the 1600^th block of North H St. in Lompoc. The arrests happened after detectives located a vehicle associated with a parolee at large who had evaded deputies in a vehicle pursuit in June. Police observed 27-year-old Ernest Johnson Jr. involved in a drug transaction. He was taken into custody along with 32-year-old David Williams from Lompoc. Detectives confiscated a small amount of methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia and contraband associated with drug sales from the two suspects. They were taken to the Santa Maria Jail and held with out bail.