Chumash attorney
arrested for domestic violence
The
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ attorney, Sam Cohen, and his wife were
arrested at the Chumash Casino Dec. 12 after police responded to a domestic
disturbance call. According to the county Sheriff’s department, Trina Cohen was
arrested for being drunk in public, while Sam was arrested for domestic
violence. Trina was taken to the Santa Barbara County Jail and Sam to an
alternate holding facility. The couple was believed to have been attending an
anniversary party for Chumash Magazine when they clashed over a social issue.
Witnesses said they believed at least one of the Cohens
was taken to a hospital for examination before being transported to jail.
Businesses affected
by Zaca Fire eligible for aid
Local
businesses economically affected by the Zaca Fire now
have a chance to recoup some of their losses from the county’s emergency
services.
To
receive economic aid, at least five businesses that suffered substantial losses
must apply.
“The
Solvang Chamber of Commerce appreciates the support and effort of Assemblyman
Pedro Nava’s office in assisting our local business community to receive
economic aid from the Zaca Fire if a business
qualifies” said Solvang Chamber of Commerce President Linda Jackson.
To
request assistance if your business has been impacted by the Zaca Fire, please call Richard Abrams, emergency services
supervisor at the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services, at (805)
681-5567.
This
information will be forwarded to the State Office of Emergency Services and
ultimately reviewed by the U.S. Small Business Administration for final
determination of loan eligibility.
Congresswoman Lois Capps endorses Doreen Farr
for 3rd District Supervisor
Lois Capps, Santa Barbara County congresswoman,
announced her backing of Doreen Farr for 3rd District Supervisor Dec. 13. The
announcement comes after current 3rd District Supervisor, Brooks Firestone,
announced that he will not be running for a second term in 2008.
“Santa
Barbara County and the residents of the 3rd District need a leader with Doreen
Farr’s experience, judgment and positive vision for the future,” Capps said.
“Doreen cares deeply about the 3rd District and her longtime commitment to the
area makes her a clear choice for supervisor.”
Aircraft makes an
emergency landing near Rancho San Marcos Golf Course
The
Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to an emergency landing of a
small aircraft near the Santa Ynez River bed on the morning of Dec. 10.
According to the fire department the pilot was flying from San Luis to Santa
Paula, when he experienced an engine failure.
He
said he noticed the open field of the ranch below him and was able to land
safely. There was no apparent damage to the aircraft and the pilot was safe.
Greka Oil and Gas Inc.
issued compliance notice
After
being shut down by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Greka Oil and Gas Inc. will have to correct 26 items before
the stop work order is lifted and the company is able to resume operation.
Some
of the corrections include performing repairs on the failed injection water
pipeline and characterizing and disposing of all contaminated materials within
90 days. The compliance order follows three spill incidents spanning nearly a
month. The three spills combined released more than 40,000 gallons of oil into
the ground and led to the facility’s shutdown.
Car crashes into
monumental State Street Christmas tree
The
large Christmas tree that is erected every year on State Street in Santa
Barbara had a close call Dec. 12, after a 66-year-old woman crashed her 1993
Lincoln Mark VIII into the tree. The accident occurred after the woman became
confused and said she thought the lights on the tree were strung between
buildings on State Street.
An
officer who responded to the accident said that the woman seemed to be
disoriented and under the influence of a drug or medication. The tree did not
sustain any damages, but the woman’s car was rendered inoperable.