Local
Academy
slated for April
The bi-yearly sheriff’s department North County Citizen’s
Academy is scheduled April 6 through May 9. Citizens age 18 and older can
participate in the six-week course for free to learn about the roles of local
law enforcement and get hands-on deputy training. Activities include a driving
simulator and firearms training.
Orcutt
Men
arrested for alleged rape
Patrick James Gee, 18, and Travis Balke Allen, 19, have been arrested for the alleged rape of
a 16-year-old girl. On March 8, the girl consumed alcohol at a home in Oakbrook
Lane in Orcutt when the suspects allegedly assaulted
her. Two days after the reported attack, she told a parent who then contacted
the sheriff’s department. Gee was arrested after a search of the Oakbrook Lane
house, and Allen was tracked down and arrested without incident later in
Pomona. Both suspects posted bail and face charges of sexual assault of an
intoxicated victim, penetration with a foreign object and criminal conspiracy.
Produced
water and oil leak
On March 19, Greka employees at
the Bradley Three Island facility on Telephone Road in Orcutt
reported a produced water and crude oil leak. About four barrels of produced
water and less than one barrel of crude oil spilled.
The leak was the result of a corroded flow line, and the
equipment has been shut down for repairs.
The spill was stopped, contained and did not contaminate
any waterways. Greka will be filing a report.
Lompoc
Two
arrested in drug bust
On March 18, sheriff’s department narcotic detectives
made a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Anna Maria
Garcia, 44, in Lompoc. When the car stopped, a passenger, Johnn
Anthony Carreon, 35, of Colton, Calif., got out of
the car and ran away. He was quickly apprehended and Garcia was followed and
detained at her home. According to the sheriff’s department, a search of her
home uncovered one ounce of methamphetamine and about seven grams of tar
heroin, totaling about $3,500 in street value. Many used syringes were all
found on-scene, even among a 5-year-old child’s toys. It was learned the child,
who lived in the residence, had been stuck by one needle a few days prior. Garcia
was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on $100,000 bail. She faces charges,
including possession and felony child endangerment. Carreon
was also booked into the county jail facing similar charges, but without
bail.
Statewide
Stimulus
funds to be doled
The California Water Resources
Control Board announced March 17 that $280 million in federal economic recovery
money will be available for special, qualified water projects, such as updating
sewers.
At least 50 percent of the funding
must be distributed as subsidies, such as grants, and up to 65 percent subsidy
funding will be used for projects in disadvantaged communities.
A percentage will also go for zero or
1 percent fixed-rate loans to the disadvantaged communities.