By El Latino Newsroom
[email protected]
Stearns Wharf is more than a nice place to watch boats or fish, it’s a structure that changed the face of Santa Barbara-literally.
About 150 years ago, Santa Barbara, being surrounded by mountains, was an isolated pueblo, there were no roads into town, there was no railroad.
When John Peck Stearns built the wharf in 1872 he not only opened the door to large-scale commerce and trade; he introduced Santa Barbara to the rest of the world.
Since that time, Stearns Wharf has evolved along with the city.
It was a vital conduit for a growing fishing fleet. It was the birthplace of commercial diving. It served as a focal point to bring the community together.
Over the years, Stearns Wharf has been battered by storms, scorched by fires, even damaged by a water spout, but through it all, it has persevered because it offers something no other place in town can match-perspective.
In honor of this 150th anniversary, Stearns Wharf merchants will hold a 150th Anniversary Celebration on October 8th, 2022.
There is a whole day of events that include activities for all ages, free music presentations, a visit by a tall ship, cannon fire, a formal event by elected officials and city leaders, and fireworks.
Among the activities there will be free Rides for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult, starting at 10:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m..
Also, to celebrate this anniversary, each of the four restaurants on the wharf will offer free tastings of their versions of the best clam chowder in Santa Barbara, from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with a raffle of restaurant prizes.
For more information and a list of events visit, www.stearnswharf.org/.
COACH ARRESTED FOR ABUSING MINOR
On September 13, at about 8:25 p.m. investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit arrested 31-year-old Oxnard resident and youth soccer coach, Oscar Ramirez.
Ramirez was coaching girls’ youth soccer at Del Sol Park and was arrested for lascivious acts and child annoying with several players under the age of 16 he coached.
Investigators from the Family Protection Unit investigated the allegations and determined there was enough probable cause to arrest Ramirez.
Ramirez was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on a bail amount of $20,000.
The Oxnard Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation and believes there could be other victims who have not reported similar incidents to the police.
“Anyone with information regarding this case or any similar incidents involving Oscar Ramirez is asked to contact Detective Juan Morales at, 805.385.3922.”,said the OXPD in a press released.
The authorities also encourage anyone with information to send a tip online at,
www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity.
Also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.
ARRESTED FOR BUILDING AND SELLING 3D GUNS
This week, Detectives from the Gun Violence Reduction Program (GVRP), with the Ventura County Sheriff Office concluded an investigation that led to the arrest of Andrew Duran for unlawfully manufacturing and distributing machine guns throughout Ventura County
During September, detectives with the Narcotics Street Team (NST) received information that Andrew Duran was involved in unlawful firearm activities.
Detectives with the GVRP immediately initiated an investigation into Duran.
“Through the investigation, detectives learned Duran was manufacturing and distributing firearms and firearm components intended to turn semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic machine guns through the use of a 3D Printer,” said the VCSO in a press release.
The officers also learned Duran had a criminal history that prohibited him from owning or possessing firearms.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Duran and his residence, located in the 1500 Block of Rory Lane in Simi Valley. On September 9th, at about 5:00.p.m., detectives detained Duran and executed the search warrant at his residence.
The VCSO stated that at his residence they located and seized multiple 3D printed firearms, firearm components which were intended to turn semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic machine guns and an amount of methamphetamine which was possessed for the purposes of sales.
“Detectives also recovered a loaded handgun which was reported to be stolen from a residence in Thousand Oaks,” said the VCSO.
Duran was arrested and booked for various firearm and narcotic offenses, including Possess Machine Gun, Possess of Stolen Property, Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition, Possession of a Controlled Substance with a Loaded Firearm, Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. Duran is currently out of custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Gun Violence Reduction Program is an investigative unit funded by a grant from the California Department of Justice.
WEST NILE IN VTA COUNTY
Last week the Ventura County Environmental Health Division (Division) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that a bird collected during the fourth week of August, from the City of Simi Valley area, tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).
“This is the first bird collected in 2022 to test positive for WNV in Ventura County. There are no confirmed human cases at this time. WNV is considered endemic, so we can expect the virus to stay in our environment. The Division monitors and controls mosquito breeding sources throughout Ventura County,”, said the County in a press release.
The health authorities also stated mosquito breeding sources in the area where the bird was collected will be inspected and treated if evidence of mosquito breeding is observed.
The Division also advises the public to take the following precautions to minimize exposure to WNV: Eliminate standing water from the property; make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes; when outdoors wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and limit activity especially at dawn and dusk; when outdoors apply insect repellent.
WNV can not only affect humans but can also affect horses.
For information on WNV in horses, the owners should contact their veterinarian.
To report any potential mosquito breeding sources in Ventura County the public can call the mosquito complaint HOTLINE at, 805.658.4310.
The Division also provides mosquito eating fish to the public to use in non-maintained swimming pools, ornamental ponds and similar water features.
To request mosquito-eating fish call 805/662-6582.
To report wild birds that have died recently call the California Department of Public Health at, 877.968.2473.
