By El Latino Newsroom
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Santa Barbara County elections officials have announced that 30 official ballot drop boxes are now available in the County for the upcoming Presidential General Election.
“The ballot drop boxes provide a secure and easy way to return a completed and signed ballot,” says Joe Holland, Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters.
“I encourage voters to use an official drop box to return their ballot; drop box locations are listed in the voter’s guide and on the Elections Office website, sbcvote.com.”
Holland said all registered voters will receive their ballot in the mail in early October. “Voters are encouraged to vote their ballot and return it early before Election Day, November 5th”, he said.
Drop boxes are available 24 hours a day, beginning Monday, October 7 until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5. A list of drop box locations can be found online.
“Using the ballot drop box ensures that the ballot will arrive at the Elections Office to be processed and counted timely,” added Holland.
If a voter does not receive their ballot, they should contact the Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters office at 800-722-8683.
Voters may mail their ballot with no postage required, postmarked by Election Day, November 5.
The Postal Service also advises voters to mail their ballots early to reach the elections office in time to be counted.
Ballots may also be returned to the County Elections offices in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria or to a polling place on Election Day.
To make address and other updates to voter registration, or for eligible citizens to register to vote, go to registertovote.ca.gov.
Voters can verify the accuracy of their voter registration at sbcvote.com.
Santa Barbara County Elections can be reached at sbcvote.com or by calling 800-722-8683.
VUSD’S MISHANDLING FUNDS
The Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) has raised alarms about the Ventura Unified School District’s (VUSD), management of taxpayer money from Measure E.
The association claims that VUSD is diverting cost savings from a solar panel project into the General Fund instead of using the funds for maintenance and improvements, in violation of California Education Code 15282(a).
“What Ventura Unified is doing is causing the public to lose trust in the Board of Trustees,” said Ryan Grau, VCTA executive director.
Taxpayers approved Measure E in 2022, a $434 million, 20-year parcel tax on property owners aimed at improving safety, infrastructure, and learning environments in local schools.
The measure includes a state-mandated Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee to ensure that VUSD uses the funds effectively for the benefit of students and families.
In the first year following Measure E’s passage, VUSD allegedly violated its fiduciary duty by spending money on a project not explicitly stated to voters, a $40 million contract for solar installations.
The vendor lured the district with a potential $14 million rebate from the solar purchase, available after 2026. However, when members of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee urged the Ventura Unified Board of Trustees to commit the $14 million to bond measure projects, the Board refused.
Diverting cost savings to the General Fund undermines the district’s fiduciary responsibility and public trust. Moreover, VUSD’s handling of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee has also raised concerns.
At the end of the year, VUSD removed committee members who supported returning the $14 million to the bond, which constitutes a violation of the Education Code.
MAN CONVICTED FOR MURDER
A Thousand Oaks man, Saul C. Nava, was convicted of nine felony charges, including the first-degree murder and torture of his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Nava, 23, also faced allegations of torturing and kidnapping a former girlfriend, now a judge is set to rule on special allegations, including whether the crimes involved great violence.
Nava was arrested on December 24, 2021, after calling 911 following days of abuse.
The victim was found with severe injuries and degrading tattoos, authorities uncovered disturbing evidence at the scene, including weapons and videos of Nava taunting her.
She suffered from extensive bruising, the top of her head had a large laceration, and degrading words were newly tattooed on the center of her chest.
Nava was arrested at the scene. In the apartment, deputies located tattoo equipment, baseball bats, a hammer, and a screwdriver which were used on Ms. Takacs-Escobar.
Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell said the verdict offers some closure for the victims’ families but acknowledged the lasting pain caused by Nava’s crimes.
While investigating, police also discovered a former girlfriend who had endured abuse at Nava’s hands.
Nava confined and assaulted the victim when they were teenagers, she reported being beaten, threatened, and coerced into an abortion, only escaping the abuse when Nava began dating Takacs-Escobar.
SM STUDENTS WIN COMPETITION
At Panther Campus, PVHS FFA members, totaling to 174, recently took part in the FFA Section Opening and Closing Speaking Finals, competing against other chapters.
This event saw the participation of 500 students, representing 29 teams from different schools like Lompoc, Santa Ynez, Righetti, Santa Maria, Cuyama, Nipomo, and Arroyo Grande. In the 9th Grade Division, PV FFA had a strong presence with four of the top five teams in the finals.
Opal Hillock and Samantha Franco, playing the roles of Treasurer and Secretary respectively, received Top Overall and Top Honors.
PV had an impressive seven teams in the Top 12 and a total of 66 freshmen competing in the finals.
In the Open Division, Tatiana Ruvalcaba was named the Outstanding Secretary while her team grabbed the 4th position.
President Daniel Guadarrama led the 2nd Overall Team from PV, and the Open Division had a larger participation with 30 teams and 180 competitors.
In the Officer Division, Josue Espinoza, Angie Gonzalez, and Andrea Guzman were recognized as Outstanding Officers for their roles as Sentinel, Treasurer, and Vice President. President Andrea Cuevas, Secretary Izel Lopez, and Reporter Jayline Montoya secured the 2nd position overall.
The performances were centered around the FFA Theme for this year, «Unwritten.»
Pioneer Valley FFA Chapter President, Andrea Cuevas, expressed her pride in the students from Pioneer Valley and their ability to start writing their stories through the leadership program.
“We had a record number of students suit up in their FFA uniforms and compete. I also want to congratulate all the schools and students who took this challenge in FFA and showed up to our school to represent this organization,” she said.
Cuevas also emphasized that FFA is a great platform to be a part of and this is just the beginning of their stories.
ARTISTS CHOOSE TO PAINT MURAL IN PORT HUENEME
Port Hueneme, in collaboration with the Ventura County Library and OPAC, announced the artists selected for the first permanent mural at the Ray D. Prueter Library, located at 510 Park Ave.
This significant public art initiative celebrates the city’s rich past, vibrant present, and promising future as part of its 75th anniversary festivities.
Funded by the City of Port Hueneme and the Port of Hueneme Community Benefit Fund, the mural complements ongoing improvements at the library and nearby Richard Bard Bubbling Springs Park.
The local authorities stated it is a key cultural addition to the area, furthering Port Hueneme’s commitment to fostering creative community development.
“This mural captures the essence of what makes Port Hueneme unique. We’re thrilled to partner with the Port and the Ventura County Library to bring this distinctive piece of art to our city,” said Mayor Misty Perez.”
The artist team selected for the project is Mobile Mural Lab, led by renowned artists Renée Fox and David Russell, both educators at Otis College of Art & Design.
Their design is inspired by Port Hueneme’s coastal heritage, featuring elements that reflect the significance of the sea, native peoples, merchants, and the visionaries who have shaped—and will continue to shape—the city’s future.
The mural will be painted from November 26 – December 1 of this year.
To engage the next generation of artists, Mobile Mural Lab is offering a Mural Internship opportunity for one local youth.
The selected intern, aged 18-22 and residing in Port Hueneme, will work alongside Renée Fox and David Russell to assist in the mural’s creation and gain hands-on experience in mural painting techniques.
