The program is also designed to reduce local crime and social disorder by improving enforcement and response to such crimes.

Graffiti is a act of vandalism, and any vandalism that causes damage greater than $400 is a felony.

“Graffiti in these areas have increased over the years and it is important to remove it as soon as it appears so graffiti vandalism does not become an overwhelming problem,” Raney added.

For more information on the program or volunteering contact Deputy Sandra Brown at 805-686-8150.

Local Fire Stations to Commemorate Sep. 11 Victims

As the sixth year anniversary of the tragic Sep. 11 terrorist attacks near, Santa Barbara County Fire Department Fire Stations will be remembering the lives lost in the attacks. At 6:58 a.m. various fire stations will be holding a brief ceremony at the stations’ flagpoles, which will include a minute of silence, followed by the raising and lowering of all 16 Santa Barbara County Fire Department Fire Station flags, they will be kept at half-staff until 10 a.m.

“This ceremony is to honor and show respect for the profession of firefighting in general as well as all the civilians who died on that tragic day. It was such a large number and not since World War II has anything like 9’11 happened, and we honor those who lost their lives during that time,” said Public Information Officer, Eli Iskow.

The fire departments are asking that the community join in honoring those killed by driving with headlights lit from 6:58 a.m. until 10 a.m. This is the time period that the first and second plane crashed into both towers and the collapse of both.

For more information call 681-5500.

Local Developer and Family Killed
in Private Plane Crash

Solvang resident Adam Pasori, 56 along with several of his family members including his wife, Sibel, his two young nieces Meriem and Nasrin, his brother David and his sister Mila Kuygusuz, were killed in the afternoon of Friday Aug. 31, after Pasori’s single-engine plane went down and burst into flames at the Kern Valley Airport.

Pasori and his family were reportedly on their way to a weekend camping trip in Kernville. The family had departed from Santa Monica Airport and attempted to land at the Kern Valley Airport , when the accident occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the crash, but a representative said that they expect the preliminary report to be posted on the Web site in a couple of days.

Many people, including Pasori’s family and friends as well as employees at the Kern Valley Airport are still in shock over the accident.

“This is the first crash like this one since I’ve been here and I’ve been here for 20 years, weve had a few crashed but never any fatatlities, we were shocked and devasted to hear what happened and to know that there were two little children in the plane,” said Kathy Carrington, an employee at the Kern Valley Airport .

Mike Mcquiggan, a relative of the Pasori family has started a blog site to commemorate the Pasori family.

“This great guy Adam lived for his family. I've been part of Adam and his family for over 20-plus years. He will be greatly missed and life will not be the same,” said Mcquiggan on the blog.

Memorial services were held at 1 p.m. Sep. 6 at the Goleta Cemetery.

School Speed Limit Legislation Only Needs Assembly Vote

Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced that the State Senate passed Assembly Bill 321, a law that would amend the current School Safety Zones, Sep. 5.

“This bill will make it safer for our kids,” Nava said. “By extending school zones and reducing the speed limit near schools, we are giving children, parents, crossing guards and the elderly alike the protection they need.”

A.B. 321 would allow local governments ot reduce speed limits to 15mph on roads within 500 feet of a school and to 25 mph on roads ranging from 500-1000 feet of a school.

Currently the law provides for a prima facie speed limit of 25 mph in school zones, if the highway is posted with a standard "SCHOOL" warning sign, during specified times. It also allows local governments to determine if the speed limit in these areas should be reduced from 25 mph to 20-15 mph.

A.B. 321 is set to get final approval from the Assembly.

For more information about A.B. 321 or any legislation, visit www.legislature.ca.gov.

No Rest For Fire Fighters After the Zaca Fire

Right after declaring the Zaca Fire contained, fire fighters put down another blaze that broke out in Gaviota Sep. 3.

About 250 fire fighters and staff from various agencies battled the blaze. Traffic was backed up on Highway 154 because Highway 101 was closed at Winchester Canyon Road.

Authorities say that the fire had a high potential for growth because of the kind of grasses in the area.

Nearly 170 acres of wildland and about 600 railroad ties were burned in the blaze. The Gaviota fire was declared contained Sep.4, just one day after breaking out.

For more information of fire safety and clearances, visit www.sbfire.com

Authorities Eradicate More Marijuana Plants

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department along with the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) and the U.S. Forest Service eradicated more than 12,000 marijuana plants from a field in the National Forest near Figueroa Mountain, Sep. 4.

The latest seizure follows several to occur earlier this year. Year to date authorities have eradicated more than 95,000 plants, a street value of $306 million.

According to a statement released by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, large-scale marijuana cultivation on public lands has become an increasing widespread problem.

The most recently eradicated site was discovered by pilots flying fire missions for the Zaca Fire.

About 20 law enforcement personnel participated in the eradication efforts.

“This has been a record year for Marijuana Eradication in Santa Barbara County,” said Sergeant Erik Raney, public information officer. “Marijuana plantations are very often the work of dangerous drug cartels and forest visitors or residents who happen upon them may be harassed or assaulted. Growers are usually armed, sometimes with automatic weapons and high-power rifles and they have been known to place booby traps designed to seriously maim or kill intruders.”

People who might observe suspicious behavior, such as carrying irrigation tubing, packing in large amounts of food or a vehicle parked in the same area multiple times per week, are advised to contact authorities. For more information on CAMP visit, http://ag.ca.gov/bne/camp.htm