Central Coast roundup

By El Latino Newsroom
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Together, these projects will deliver 900 kilowatt-DC (kW DC) of renewable energy through solar parking canopies at both sites.

Scheduled for completion by summer 2025, the solar installations will produce over 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power 200 homes. 

Over their 20-year lifespan, the projects are expected to save the City approximately $2.3 million in electricity costs while supporting its environmental sustainability goals.

“This is the largest sustainability project of its kind for the City of Ventura. Thanks to the support of our City Council and community, these solar energy projects will provide long-term benefits to Ventura,” said Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling.

The clean energy generated will help reduce the City’s reliance on grid electricity and avoid approximately 1,015 tons of CO2 emissions annually, the equivalent of removing 241 gas-powered vehicles from the road each year.

“We applaud the City of Ventura for undertaking this landmark 900 kW DC solar portfolio. We are proud to support the City in advancing its sustainability goals through this innovative project,” said Ruben Fontes, CEO of ForeFront Power.

Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), ForeFront Power will develop, own, and maintain the solar systems at no upfront cost to the City. 

In return, the City will pay a fixed, below-market rate for electricity over 20 years, ensuring budget predictability and protection against future utility rate increases.

Santa Barbara’s waterfront will transform into a festive wonderland on Sunday, Dec. 8, for the 38th Annual Parade of Lights. 

The holiday tradition features family-friendly activities, a dazzling boat parade, and a fireworks show.

The celebration begins at 3 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Harbor, where families can explore a Winter Wonderland on the City Pier. 

Highlights include holiday elves, 10 tons of snow, goodie bags, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The event kicks off with the Human-Powered Parade at 3:30 p.m. 

Standup paddlers and kayakers, decked out in festive attire, will circle the harbor and Stearns Wharf, spreading holiday cheer.

At 5 p.m., the festivities move to Stearns Wharf for a tree lighting ceremony accompanied by holiday music performed by the Dos Pueblos Jazz Choir.

The main event begins at 5:30 p.m., as approximately 30 illuminated boats make their way from Leadbetter Beach along the coastline to the Cabrillo Pavilion before returning to Stearns Wharf. 

The evening will conclude with a fireworks show at 7 p.m., lighting up the waterfront. 

Stearns Wharf, the breakwater, West Beach, and East Beach offer the best viewing spots for the parade and fireworks.

An awards ceremony will follow at the Anchor Rose restaurant, located upstairs in the Waterfront Center Building at 113 Harbor Way.

This year’s Parade of Lights is organized by the 2024 Parade of Lights Committee and sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants Association, Stearns Wharf Business Association, and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club.

Two individuals, including a juvenile, were arrested in connection with a sophisticated stolen vehicle operation and a series of commercial burglaries following a joint investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office East County Special Enforcement Unit and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

Search warrants executed on Nov. 22 at two locations in Compton resulted in the seizure of evidence tied to auto thefts and burglaries across Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

The investigation began in October after a Dodge Ram Hellcat TRX was stolen from Oak Park, an unincorporated area of Ventura County. 

Two additional attempted thefts of similar vehicles were reported in Thousand Oaks, involving rear window break-ins. 

Detectives found that similar thefts were occurring in neighboring jurisdictions under the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and LAPD, leading them to identify the suspects as Joel Quinonez and a male juvenile, both Compton residents.

Special Enforcement Unit detectives recovered multiple stolen vehicles in Compton during the investigation.

The coordinated search on Nov. 22 resulted in Quiñonez being arrested at his residence, while the juvenile was apprehended nearby after a brief foot chase. 

Evidence recovered from both locations linked the suspects to the auto thefts and tied the juvenile to the burglaries.

Quiñonez was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on multiple felony charges, including unlawful taking of a vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of burglary tools. 

He also faces a felony warrant from Orange County and Quiñonez remains in custody with bail set at $350,000 

The juvenile was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center on similar 

Ventura County has announced the start of the first phase of its debris removal program for properties impacted by the Mountain Fire. 

The program, which begun last week, focuses on the removal of household hazardous waste (HHW) as part of a two-phase debris removal initiative.

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the County’s Environmental Health Division will lead efforts to inspect properties affected by the fire. Natalie Hernández, Spokeswoman for the County, stated teams will remove visible household hazardous materials that pose threats to human health and the environment. “Items such as batteries, pesticides, paints, and cleaning products will be collected at no cost to residents. Those impacted do not need to file a request to participate in this phase,” she said.

DTSC estimates the HHW removal process will take approximately four weeks, however, the timeline may vary based on the extent of damage to individual properties. 

Residents can monitor the progress of Phase 1 through a tracking map provided by DTSC and the County’s Environmental Health Division. 

The map is accessible on the County’s recovery website by selecting “Mountain” at the top-right corner of the page.

Following the completion of Phase 1, properties will display a sign indicating the HHW has been cleared. 

However, this does not signify the removal of all debris or the absence of toxic materials. 

“Phase 1 is a prerequisite for beginning Phase 2, which involves comprehensive debris removal and demolition. Only after the completion of Phase 2 can building permits be issued for reconstruction”, said Hernández.

Phase 2 will address structural debris, ash, hazardous tree removal, soil testing, and any remaining hazards. 

Ventura County will provide additional information about this phase once confirmation is received from relevant agencies.

Residents affected by the Mountain Fire are encouraged to register for updates and notifications about the debris removal process. 

They can sign up through the County’s Resource Management Agency website or visit www.venturacountyrecovers.org/ for further details.

By collaborating with state and local agencies, Ventura County aims to expedite recovery efforts and ensure that properties are safely cleared for rebuilding.