By El Latino Newsroom
[email protected]
Last week officials from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), informed the City that the City’s adopted Housing Element is in substantial compliance with state law.
The City submitted the 2023-2031 Housing Element for state approval on December 21, 2023, following its adoption by City Council on December 12, 2023.
The Housing Element is a state-mandated part of the City’s General Plan and identifies how the city will accommodate its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 8,001 units at different levels of affordability and affirmatively further fair housing across the community.
The City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element analysis shows that the City has the capacity to accommodate its share of the RHNA without the need to rezone parcels for higher density. With this finding from HCD, the City will no longer be accepting project applications under the Builder’s Remedy provisions in the Housing Accountability Act.
“This is a significant milestone and is a document that the community can be proud of. Special thanks to our dedicated Planning Division and City Attorney’s Office staff, the Planning Commission, and the City Council for their tireless efforts over the past several years.” Allison De Busk, City Planner
“This document provides the City with a solid foundation for new programs that will help us meet our affordability and housing needs. We’re pleased to have it certified – it’s been a long and challenging process with the state’s review and new requirements. We’re eager to work with the community on implementation and construction of much needed housing.” Community Development Director Elias Isaacson.
SB FOUNDATION GIVING MORE SCHOLARSHIPS
The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara has received 3,594 applications for financial aid in the 2024-25 academic year – an increase of 3.3 percent or 117 applicants over 2023’s total.
Foundation President and CEO, Melinda Cabrera, stated the applications are currently under review, and awardees will be announced in April and May.
Last year the Scholarship Foundation awarded nearly $7.2 million to 1,864 students throughout Santa Barbara County.
“Applications for financial assistance from the Scholarship Foundation are up some 30 percent over the last two years, underscoring a growing desire for access to postsecondary education in our community,” said Cabrera.
“We remain committed to helping deserving students and their families countywide surmount the financial barriers to pursuing college and vocational training.”
The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara provides scholarships to Santa Barbara County students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or vocational studies.
For more information, call 805-687-6065 or visit www.scholarship.org.
GANG MEMBER SENTENCED FOR MURDER AND ROBBERIES
The Ventura County District Attorney, Erik Nasarenko, announced last week that Osvaldo Hernandez (24), was sentenced to 32 years 8 months to life in prison for the murder of Robert De La Cerda and for committing robberies.
He previously pled guilty last year on November 16, to one count of second-degree murder, one count of attempted robbery, three counts of robbery, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Hernandez also admitted special allegations, including that he personally used a firearm in the murder of De La Cerda.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara, a member of the VCDA Major Crimes Homicide Unit, prosecuted the case.
“The defendant’s sentence holds him accountable for the horrible crimes that he committed on 2018. Hopefully, this outcome brings some measure of peace and closure to the multiple robbery victims and the surviving family of Robert De La Cerda,” Ms. Pollara said.
In Oxnard, on June 27, 2018, between approximately 3:45 a.m. and 6:09 a.m., Hernandez committed three separate robberies, and murder during a fourth robbery attempt.
When he committed these crimes, he was out on bail for possession of a concealed 9mm handgun, which he was arrested for on June 15, 2018.
The first robbery occurred in a parking lot on Saviers Road at 3:45 a.m. Hernandez approached the victim, simulated a weapon in his waistband, and demanded money.
The second robbery took place at 4:18 a.m. near the intersection of Wooley Road and L Street. Hernandez ran up behind the victim, pulled him to the ground and pointed a knife at him, then ran off with a backpack containing a laptop.
The third robbery was at 5:48 a.m. on Samuel Avenue, where the victim was riding his skateboard to work.
Hernandez and two others pulled up in a car pretending to ask for directions, then he exited the car, pointed a handgun at the victim, and stole a backpack and the skateboard.
Following the three robberies, Hernandez attempted a fourth robbery.
Just after 6:00 a.m., Hernandez approached Mr. De La Cerda and another man who were in a car on South J Street.
Hernandez pointed a gun at the men and demanded their property, then De La Cerda exited his car and had a verbal exchange with Hernandez.
Hernandez fired one shot, killing Mr. De La Cerda, before returning to his car and driving away. Hernandez was arrested on July 18, 2018, after a comprehensive investigation by the Oxnard Police Department.
QUEST DIAGNOSIS FINED WITH $5 MIL
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced last week that Quest Diagnostics, Inc., a national Fortune 500 diagnostic testing company, settled a multi-jurisdictional civil lawsuit involving the offices of California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the District Attorneys of Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Ventura, and Yolo Counties.
The lawsuit resolved allegations that Quest Diagnostics engaged in unlawful business practices in violation of Business and Professions Code 17200.
The corporation unlawfully disposed of hazardous waste, medical waste, and protected health information at its facilities statewide, in violation of the Hazardous Waste Control Law, Medical Waste Management Act, and civil laws prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure of personal health information.
The settlement is the result of approximately 30 inspections conducted by the DA’s offices at multiple Quest Diagnostics laboratories and Patient Service Centers (PSCs) statewide.
During those inspections, the DA’s offices reviewed the contents of Quest Diagnostics’ compactors and dumpsters, and found over 100 partially full gallon containers holding laboratory chemicals, as well as bleach, reagents, batteries, and other electronic waste; unredacted medical information; medical waste such as used specimen containers for blood and urine; and hazardous waste such as solvents and hand sanitizer.
“The Simi Valley Landfill & Recycling Center and Ventura County residents were negatively impacted by Quest’s illegal disposal of hazardous waste, medical waste, and protected patient information. This settlement will ensure that Quest complies with the law and implements strong measures to protect the health, safety, and privacy of our residents,” said VCDA Erik Nasarenko.
After being notified of the investigations, Quest Diagnostics implemented numerous changes to bring its facilities into compliance with California law, including hiring an independent environmental auditor to review the disposal of waste at its facilities and modifying its operating and training procedures to improve handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste, medical waste, and personal health information.
As part of the settlement, which resolves the allegations above, Quest Diagnostics will be required to pay nearly $5 million for penalties, costs, and supplemental environmental projects to benefit the community and make significant changes to operations and practices at its California facilities.
The settlement also imposes injunctive terms, including requirements that Quest Diagnostics maintain an environmental compliance program, including hiring a third-party waste auditor, and report annually on its progress.
