Central Coast roundup
By Newsroom El Latino Newspaper
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Outdoor dining on private property typically occurs in private parking lots or in other areas not previously permitted for outdoor dining use.
The term “parklets” refers to outdoor dining in the right-of-way and are different from outdoor dining on private property.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City facilitated temporary outdoor dining by allowing businesses to expand dining operations into required off-street parking and other areas. The City’s authorization for temporary outdoor dining expires in December 2023.
As a benefit to business owners, the City is providing the option for businesses to submit a Preliminary Application for an outdoor dining permit. This service helps you decide if a project is feasible before investing the time and expense in drafting complete plans and submitting a full planning or building permit application.
City Staff will review big-picture issues such as accessibility, plumbing fixture count, parking, and stormwater management. Applicants can expect assessment comments in about 4-6 weeks after submitting a preliminary application.
INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY $1 M
The Ventura District Attorney’s Office announced this week that Alliance United Insurance Company, which provides auto and casualty insurance services to consumers throughout California, settled a multi-jurisdictional civil lawsuit alleging that the company engaged in unfair business practices in violation of Business and Professions Code 17200.
Alliance United specializes in offering non-standard, high-risk auto policies.
Many of its clients are from lower income and/or under-represented communities.
Pursuant to a judgment that was signed October 24, in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Alliance was ordered to pay $1.1 million for allegedly failing to efficiently investigate auto accident claims, to respond promptly to consumers making auto insurance claims, and make its coverage decisions within the legal timeframe as required by law.
“Alliance United Insurance Company let its customers down by failing to act upon and process claims in a timely manner. Our office is committed to holding these insurance companies accountable to ensure timely support, coverage, and fairness for those impacted by auto accidents,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.
This settlement is the result of joint investigation and prosecution by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Division, and investigators from the California Department of Insurance. The settlement amount includes investigative cost recovery and civil penalties to both District Attorney’s Offices.
Although Alliance does not admit to any wrongdoing, it has agreed to engage in additional compliance measures with improved training for employees handling claims, increased self-audits for a period of four years, and a revision to processing complaints from brokers, the California Department of Insurance, and the public through various social media platforms.
ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL GUNS
Last week detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Oxnard Police Department (OXPD) concluded a month-long investigation into Daniel Melgoza, who was suspected of being involved in the illegal manufacturing and unlawful transfer of firearms in Ventura County.
AS a result of the investigation in the morning of October 18th, members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) Special Crimes Unit executed a signed search warrant and arrested Melgoza at his residence, in the 3400 Block of Siesta Way in the unincorporated area of Oxnard.
Detectives located four un-serialized privately manufactured handguns, firearm parts, and other indications the firearms were being manufactured at Melgoza’s residence.
These Privately Manufactured Firearms (PMF’s) did not contain serial numbers and are untraceable by law enforcement. In addition, detectives located a handgun and rifle which were obtained through unlawful firearms transfers.
Melgoza was arrested for violations of Unlawful Firearms Transfers, and Manufacture of a Handgun without a Serial Number.
Melgoza was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility but he was released after posting a $10,000 bond.
DELTA HS DOMINATED IN ROBOTICS
The Robotics team from Delta High School of Santa Maria proved they know more than a thing or two about operating robots during the Rebootics Spooktacular Vex VRC event at Bakerfield’s Centennial High School on Saturday.
At the tournament, Delta Robotics won eight consecutive matches to place third in the contest.
The regional competition included 34 teams from high schools throughout the Central Coast and Central Valley area.
The Delta Dragons, a 12-person team this year, has built three robots for the 2023/2024 season. Students have been building and programming their robots for this year’s game mostly after school.
“The team and their robots were very impressive in their first tournament today. This is our best start ever. They are all first-year robotics students competing against much larger schools and programs and against teams with four or more years of experience. The Delta team demonstrated engineering and mechanical skills at the highest level of the competition,” said Robotics’ Coach, Jeff Cooper.
Cooper also stated that is very excited to see what they will do by the time they compete at Cal Poly on January 27th.
“I had never built a robot or been to a tournament, so when I got there and Mr. Cooper said take a look at the other robots, I realized that what my team and I had built was well designed, strong, and ready to take on the competition. That is why we went 8-1 today,” said Adan Roldán, one of the students.
Meanwhile Kayla Ramirez, the only girl in the team affirmed that this her first year and like everyone else on the team it will be the only year they have robotics.
“I didn’t even know I could build and engineer something like this until two months ago. It would be nice if students at the larger high schools in our district could get the same opportunity,” said Ramírez.
CAPTIONS
Members of the Ventura County Regional Urban Search and Rescue Team donned costumes and rappelled from the Ventura C. Medical Center’s roof. Afterwards, the superheroes went inside the hospital to bring joy and visit patients, parents and staff, while handing out coloring books, play packs and small gifts for the children.
