Preliminary hearing postponed for men accused of
starting Zaca Fire
At
the District Attorney’s request, the preliminary hearing for two men accused of
starting the Zaca Fire was continued to Dec. 17.
Jose
Jesus Cabrera, Santiago Iniguez Cervantes and Rancho
La Laguna LLC are facing five felony charges, one misdemeanor charge and one
infraction charge, including recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury
and failing to secure a hot work permit.
The
Zaca Fire started on July 4 and ended exactly one
month later. It burned more than 240,000 acres and caused 43 injuries. It cost
approximately $1.2 million.
The
preliminary hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at the Santa Maria
Courthouse, department 7.
MacDougall
elected president of county board of education
Dr. Peter
MacDougall, president emeritus of Santa Barbara City College, was elected
president of the Santa Barbara County Board of Education at the board’s meeting
Dec. 6. He took the reins from Joe Howell, who had completed the maximum two
consecutive terms as president.
Helen
Hill, from District 6, Santa Maria, was elected vice president.
MacDougall
has been a member of the board from District 2 since 2006. Hill has been a
member of the board since 2007.
Other members of the board include Dr.
William T. Carty, Helen Grossman, Helen Hill, Weldon “Joe” Howell Jr., William
K. Macdonald, and Jack Reith. Bill Cirone serves as an ex-officio member and secretary to the board.