By El Latino Newsroom
[email protected]
With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters, Joe Holland, is reminding voters to return their ballots in time to be counted.
Registered voters across the county were mailed official vote-by-mail ballots and materials in early October.
Holland said that to ensure their vote is counted, citizens should complete their ballots, seal them in the provided envelope, and sign and date it.
“It is critical that the return envelope is signed,” Holland said, noting that each signature will be matched with the one on file to validate the ballot before it is processed.
Voters have several options for returning their ballots:
• Mail: Voted ballots can be returned via the U.S. Postal Service with no postage required. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5.
• Drop Boxes: For voters concerned about postal delivery delays, 24-hour drop boxes are available across the county until 8 p.m. on Election Day. A full list of drop box locations is available at SBCVote.com.
• Elections Offices: Ballots can also be dropped off in person at any of the county’s three Elections Offices. The offices offer a full range of voter services, including the option to vote in person.
• Santa Barbara Office: 4440-A Calle Real, open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Santa Maria Office: 511 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 134, open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Lompoc Office: 401 E. Cypress, Suite 102, open Monday-Friday, beginning Oct. 28, from 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
All three offices will be open for extended hours on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voters also have the option to return their ballots to any polling location on Nov. 5.
Mayor’s Awards Celebrate Disability Employment
On Oct. 23, the 19th Annual Mayor’s Awards honored employers committed to hiring and supporting people with disabilities.
With the theme “Access to Good Jobs for All,” the event celebrated National Disability Employment Month, which is observed each October to promote inclusive hiring practices and recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities.
Established by Congress in 1945, NDEAM raises awareness of equitable job opportunities and aligns with the Americans with Disabilities Act’s goals of ensuring equal access to employment and community involvement. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s website.
VTA COUNTY HOSTED FIRST ‘STATE OF THE HOSPITALS’
Last week, Ventura County and the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) hosted the inaugural “State of the Hospitals” event at the Ventura County Office of Education, bringing together industry and community leaders to discuss the current challenges and advancements within Ventura County’s healthcare system.
The event featured leadership from six local acute care hospitals: Adventist Health, Community Memorial Hospital, Dignity Health-St. John’s Hospital, Los Robles Health System, Ventura County Medical Center, and Vista Del Mar.
Dr. Theresa Cho, Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, noted the changing healthcare landscape.
“Our hospitals are facing significant headwinds, yet remain committed to providing the highest-quality, life-saving care for our patients and their families,” said Cho.
Speakers included University of California, Santa Barbara economist Peter Rupert, who shared an analysis of the economic impact of local hospitals, and Kathryn Austin Scott, Senior Vice President for the California Hospital Association, who discussed state policies affecting healthcare.
“This event highlighted the critical role hospitals play, not only in health and well-being but also in economic sustainability,” said George Greene, HASC President and CEO.
The event underscored the value of collaborative efforts within Ventura County’s healthcare sector and promoted the essential services these hospitals provide to the community.
Santa Maria Clears Homeless Encampments, Provides Support for Unhoused Residents
This week, Santa Maria concluded a multi-month project aimed at addressing homelessness encampments in the Santa Maria Riverbed, providing nearly 100 individuals with case management and housing options while clearing approximately 150 tons of debris.
The operation, which began in July, was completed in three phases and during this time, experienced homeless service providers engaged with unhoused residents, offering assistance with food, health care, and shelter as the encampments were removed.
“This collaborative effort highlights the importance of partnerships to tackle issues across geographical boundaries. We appreciate this comprehensive approach to improve the situation for the unhoused, the environment, and our community,” said Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patiño.
Local officials underscored that the project only proceeded as shelter beds became available, ensuring displaced individuals had alternative accommodations.
In addition to relocating individuals, the project focused on improving sanitation, reducing fire risks, and addressing environmental impacts on the riverbed. According to Patiño, fires attributed to encampments had been a recurring issue in the area over the summer.
“An estimated 110 to 150 people had been living in the riverbed near Santa Maria’s border along Preisker Lane and near the Highway 101 bridge over the Santa Maria River, which divides Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties,” informed the Mayor.
Reflecting on the months-long effort, Patino acknowledged the challenges overcome to achieve a “clean riverbed,” and expressed gratitude for the community’s patience and support.
SM CLEANS ENCAMPMENTS
Significant progress was achieved to resolve homelessness encampments in the Santa Maria Riverbed during a multi-month collaborative project that recently concluded, providing approximately 100 people with case management and housing options, in addition to removing about 150 tons of debris.
The operations took place starting in July and covered three phases. Unhoused individuals were contacted by experienced homeless service providers. They were offered humane and effective options to obtain food, health care, and shelter as encampments were cleared. It is crucial to note that encampments are resolved only when there are available shelter beds to accommodate the individuals being asked to move.
The project also focused on sanitation, fire risk (fires attributed to homelessness encampments occurred this summer), and the environmental impact on waterways.
An estimated 110 to 150 people were living in the riverbed which follows the border of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, within view of Santa Maria. These were located near the City’s border by Preisker Lane, under and west of the Highway 101 Santa Maria River bridge.
«This collaborative effort highlights the importance of partnerships to tackle issues across geographical boundaries. We appreciate this comprehensive approach to improve the situation for the unhoused, the environment, and our community,” Mayor Alice Patino said.
“Over the past few months, we have been able to implement a successful plan working with the various agencies,” Patino said. “We have learned so much from the challenges that we face month after month, and here we are today with a clean riverbed. I really want to thank the people of Santa Maria for calling us with their issues and for their patience as we persevered through this.”
