Pharmacist Survives Wife in Deadly Helicopter Crash
A pharmacist who worked at Rite-Aid in Solvang has been released from the Queens Medical Center in Honolulu after surviving a March 8th helicopter accident in Kauai, Hawaii. Cornelius Scholtz, who was a Santa Maria resident, survived the death of his wife Margriet Scholtz. According to the Associated Press, the couple was on their honeymoon when the accident occurred. The newly married couple was participating in a Heli USA sightseeing tour. Two other people died in the crash, including the Pilot Joe Sulak. Though Rite-Aid Pharmacy employee’s had no comment, some community members who heard about the accident expressed their concern. “It seems to have shaken everybody up,” said Ellie Reves, who frequents the pharmacy.
Not Your Everyday Auto Accident
Santa Ynez Valley Union High and College School students were made to change buses after a truck collided with their school bus on March 15. The automobile accident involving Ralph McCreery and bus driver Mark Baez occurred on Hwy 154 and Edison Street in Santa Ynez. Authorities said the collision occurred when McCreery, who was driving westbound on Hwy 154, rolled through a stop sign because he could not see through the fog, and hit the school bus carrying about 15 students. Though Baez sustained minor injuries, no children were injured. McCreery did not report any injuries as well. Both the school bus and McCreery’s truck sustained damage and had to be towed from the scene. McCreery was found to be at fault.
Local Highways See First Fatalities of the Year
March 7, 2007
47-year-old Randolph Franco of Santa Maria may face manslaughter charges after being involved in the March 7 automobile accident on the 101 near Palmer Road, that killed Solvang resident Marsha Lynn Olson. Olson, who was driving a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, crashed into a tree after Franco allegedly changed lanes abruptly causing Olson to swerve and hit a tree. According to police reports, Olson was pinned in the car for more than an hour. After being freed form the car, Olson was taken to Marian Medical Center where she later died.
March 16, 2007
March 16th marked the first fatal automobile accident to occur on the Highway 154 in Santa Ynez this year. 40-year-old Lambros Decazof died after his 2003 Nissan Sentra crashed into a tree. Though the coroners report has not yet been released, there was no evidence that alcohol played a factor in the accident, according to the Buellton Office of the Highway Patrol. Authorities also said that Decazof was from Semi Valley and was believed to be coming from the Chumash Casino. The actual time of the one-car collision remains unknown.
February, 2007
A man died from complications of head injuries after he lost control of his vehicle. The automobile accident occurred southbound on the 101 Fwy between Buellton and Gaviota at approximately 1:55 a.m., according to the Buellton Office of the Highway Patrol. 59-year-old Laurence Forsman from Oxnard died on site after his Mercedes Sable hit the shoulder and flipped, landing on its roof. Authorities did not say where the man was coming from.
January, 2007
Lompoc resident Enrique Marino died after being involved in a two-car collision on West Drum Canyon Road, January 20th. The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. According to the Buellton Office of the Highway Patrol, the accident was the result of Marino driving his 2002 Nissan Quest on the wrong side of the road. Marino was driving westbound on the 246 at an unknown speed, when for reasons unknown, crossed the double yellow line into eastbound traffic and collided with another vehicle. The other driver, Dina Milsby of Buellton suffered a fractured arm and leg, and her 1999 Toyota Camry was inoperable.
Police seek community help in finding man suspected of lewd acts
On Wednesday March 14th, Sheriff’s Deputies in the Goleta area were notified about a suspect who was masturbating in his vehicle near Hollister School. The victim observed the suspect sitting in his vehicle across from a playground in the area of Burtis and Anita Lane. As she walked passed, the victim observed the suspect sitting in the front seat of his vehicle, fully exposing himself. Of particular concern was his apparent view of children playing on a nearby playground. Once observed by the victim, the suspect sped away.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male adult, 25 to 30-years-old, clean shaven with short hair. He was last seen wearing a dress shirt and pants and driving a 2000 model, “electric blue” Toyota Corolla. The vehicle had some after-market modifications, including chrome additions to the license plate and bumper.
The Sheriff’s Department is asking that the public be on the lookout for the suspect’s vehicle, or any persons who may be loitering near schools or parks. There is no specific information or incident to cause alarm. The safety and welfare of our children in and around schools and parks is a top priority of the Sheriff’s Department. We ask for the public’s vigilance in assisting the Sheriff’s Department in these efforts.
Persons with information about this incident should call Sheriff’s detectives at 681-4150. To report suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Department, call the Public Safety Dispatch at 692-5743 or call 911 in an emergency.
Vehicle Vandalisms Investigated Police Seek Public’s Assistance
More than 15 vehicles were vandalized in the Solvang and Santa Ynez area. The vandal(s) used a sharp object to puncture the vehicles tires. The combined value of the vandalisms is estimated at several thousand dollars.
The majority of the vehicles targeted were on the sales lot at Gold Coast Motors, 3595 Sagunto St. in Santa Ynez. Other victims were located on First, Second, Third and Willow Streets, as well as Village Lane, Alisal Road, Deer Trail, and Juniper Ave., in and around the Solvang area. See Police Blotter on page 38 for more details.
Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance. If anyone has information on who is responsible for these vandalisms or had seen anything suspicious in these areas, please contact Detective Southwick at the Santa Ynez Sheriff’s Station – 686-5000.
Local Non-Profit Plans Invites The Community To Enjoy An Afternoon Of Benefit.
Girls Incorporated of Greater Santa Barbara will hold its 22nd Annual 100 Committee Luncheon in the Bella Vista room at the Montecito Ranch Estate of Ursula Krebs and Patrick Nesbitt on May 3. Guest speaker Deputy Secretary of The Interior, Lynn Scarlett will be featured. The event is a major fundraising event the benefits 1,200 girls who are involved in the year-round after-school and summer programs at Santa Barbara and Goleta Valley program centers. Scarlett’s research focuses on environmental issues, with a particular emphasis on solid and hazardous waste, recycling, urban air quality, and environmental risk issues. In November 2005 she was honoured to be selected to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior, which manages over 500 million acres throughout the United States, including all national parks and wildlife reserves. She has also written many articles on environmental policy, privatization, and local economic development, which have been published in both academic and general-audience publications, including the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and Reader’s Digest. Admission $175 per person and raffle tickets start at $20. Prizes include vacation trips, a basket of vintage wine and an overnight stay at the Four Seasons Biltmore. For more information contact Alexandra Halsey 963-4757, ext. 16 or ahalsey@girlsincsb.org.
The State Offers Help to People Affected by Natural Disasters
Recently the State Granted Tax Relief to Victims of the 2007 California Freeze. The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announced the approval for special tax relief for California taxpayers who were affected by the recent California severe freeze. 12 counties are designated as federal disaster areas: Fresno; Imperial; Kern; Los Angeles; Monterey; Riverside; San Bernardino; San Diego; San Luis Obispo; Santa Barbara; Tulare, as well as Ventura. Though the President declared the California freeze a major disaster in March, there are special tax rules that apply to disaster losses. Taxpayers can claim a disaster loss in the tax year the disaster occurred or in the tax year before the disaster occurred. Taxpayers claiming the disaster loss should write “California Freeze, 2007” in red ink at the top of the tax return to alert the FTB to expedite the refund. If taxpayers are e-filing, they should follow the software instructions to enter the disaster information. Taxpayers needing copies of lost or damaged state returns should complete Form FTB 3516, Request for Copy of Tax Return. Disaster victims can receive copies of tax returns for free. For more information visit www.ftb.ca.gov and www.irs.gov.
Local Resident to Hold Film Showing To Benefit Youth Mission Trips
Video Producer Earl Richmond invites you to share his recent footage from his trip to Revillagigedo Archipelago, a small chain of remote Pacific islands located about 300 miles off the coast of Mexico March 30th at 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church Family Center,1835 Alamo Pintado Road. He will also be presenting a marine film. Earl films some of the world’s largest creatures and is internationally known for his breathtaking images of wildlife. His debut of “All God’s Creatures Great & Not So Small” exemplifies God’s creation and the role humans can have taking care of the environment. The presentation will feature footage of giant Manta Rays with 22-foot wingspans, as well as close up encounters with five different species of sharks. The event will benefit youth missions to the Dominican Republic. There is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are available at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church Office. For information call 688-6323.