By El Latino Newsroom
redaccion@latinocc.com
SBC CREAtes Task Force to Crack Down on Unlawful Food Vendors
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has voted to establish a multi-agency task force to address the growing issue of unpermitted roadside and sidewalk food vendors.
The task force will coordinate efforts between county departments, the cities of Santa Maria and Santa Barbara, the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, and other stakeholders to enforce health and safety regulations and protect consumers from foodborne illnesses and unsanitary conditions.
Local officials say the rise of unlawful food vending has created significant health and safety risks, including food being stored and served at unsafe temperatures, improper sanitation, and obstructions to pedestrian pathways that violate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
According to the Municipality, inspections have revealed unsafe practices such as lack of proper handwashing, cross-contamination risks, and the presence of vermin in food transportation vehicles.
“While we support small businesses and lawful entrepreneurship, public health and safety must come first,” said Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann.
Some vendors have been cited for storing cooked meat in unrefrigerated plastic grocery bags while transporting it from Los Angeles to SB County.
“Unlawful food vendors operate outside of critical health regulations, putting consumers at serious risk of foodborne illness. Our task force will focus on enforcement, education, and outreach to ensure that vendors comply with necessary food safety laws. If food cart vendors or home kitchen entrepreneurs are interested in becoming permitted, we will help them through the process,” said Hartmann.
State laws such as SB 946 and SB 972 have limited local governments’ ability to regulate sidewalk vending, making enforcement more challenging.
The task force aims to close these gaps by increasing enforcement efforts against vendors operating without proper health permits, educating the public on the risks of consuming food from unverified sources, and supporting legal street vendors in obtaining health permits.
Residents are encouraged to report concerns about unsafe food practices to Santa Barbara County Public Health Environmental Health Services at phdehsweb@sbcphd.org.
FILLMORE WOMAN IN JAIL FOR COVID FRAUD
A Fillmore woman was sentenced to 12 months in jail for defrauding COVID-19 relief programs and stealing more than $101,000 from the County of Ventura, the State of California, and individual victims, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Claudia Portugal Cornejo, 51, pleaded guilty on October 21, to five felony charges, including two counts of grand theft, presenting a fraudulent claim, false personation, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Ventura County Superior Court also suspended an additional 28-month jail term as a condition of her felony probation.
“The defendant stole tens of thousands of dollars from taxpayers and hardworking individuals, lining her own pockets at the expense of those in real need. Through the hard work and investigative efforts of the Sheriff’s Office and County CEO’s Office, her schemes were uncovered and prosecuted,” VC District Attorney, Erik Nasarenko said.
In June 2020, Ventura County launched the Business Assistance Grant (BAG), Program to provide financial relief to businesses affected by the pandemic.
To qualify, businesses had to demonstrate a valid business license in Ventura County and prove operations before March 17, 2020.
A similar relief initiative, the California Relief Grant Program, was established at the state level.
Prosecutors said Cornejo submitted fraudulent applications to both programs, stealing $70,000 from Ventura County and $25,000 from the state.
Additionally, she charged individuals upfront fees to apply on their behalf but failed to submit the applications, stealing $6,800 from two victims.
The fraud was detected in October 2021, when County’s Executive Office flagged suspicious BAG Program applications containing forged business certificates and doctored tax forms.
An investigation by the County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the County CEO’s Office determined Cornejo submitted multiple fraudulent applications, often charging victims for paperwork and keeping a portion of the approved grants.
The scheme was carried out from her business, Fillmore General Services.
Authorities emphasized that beyond Cornejo’s actions, the investigation found no widespread fraud in the county’s relief programs.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise of the Special Prosecutions Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
“It is appalling that Ms. Cornejo took advantage of programs designed to help established businesses stay open during COVID. However, I was deeply impressed with the County of Ventura’s commitment to investigating this matter, shutting it down, and supporting the prosecution,” Wise said.
In addition to her jail sentence, Cornejo was ordered to pay $92,659 in restitution to Ventura County, covering both the financial loss and investigative costs.
The suspect must also repay $25,000 to the State of California and $6,800 to her individual victims, who had paid her under the assumption she was filing legitimate grant applications.
Cornejo is expected to serve her sentence at the Ventura County Jail and will remain on felony probation following her release.
V.C. APPROBES $1 MILLION TO SHELTER
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has approved an additional $1,013,063 in funding to support The ARCH, a year-round emergency shelter in the city of Ventura.
The funding, part of an amended agreement with the City of Ventura, ensures continued operations at the shelter while emphasizing financial accountability and measurable outcomes.
The ARCH, operated by Mercy House, provides critical services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The funding, shared equally between Ventura County and the City of Ventura, supports the shelter’s operations under a newly implemented performance-based model.
“This agreement exemplifies our shared commitment to addressing homelessness with accountability and measurable progress. The ARCH is more than just a shelter; it is a vital resource helping individuals regain stability and dignity,” said Supervisor Janice Parvin, chair of the Board of Supervisors.
Under the revised agreement, Mercy House must meet key performance goals, including maintaining high shelter occupancy rates, assisting clients in developing housing plans, enrolling individuals in support programs, and increasing the number of clients successfully transitioning to permanent housing.
Monthly evaluations will assess these benchmarks, with financial incentives tied to performance.
The funding aligns with Ventura County’s updated Homelessness Plan, which prioritizes results-driven programs and permanent housing solutions.
The county’s broader strategy includes partnerships with all ten cities and community-based organizations to address homelessness and support vulnerable populations.
By investing in The ARCH, Ventura County aims to provide essential temporary housing while promoting long-term solutions to reduce homelessness and improve residents’ quality of life.
PEDESTRIAN IN CRITICAL CONDITION
A pedestrian was critically injured Sunday night after being struck by a vehicle near Gonzales Road and Rose Avenue, according to the Oxnard Police Department.
Officers and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene at approximately 9:30 p.m. on March 2, where they discovered an unidentified adult male had been hit by a burgundy Nissan Sentra in the 1600 block of East Gonzales Road, near the entrance to the Rose Ranch Shopping Center.
The pedestrian suffered significant injuries and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.
Traffic investigators determined that the Nissan, driven by an individual identified as Mercado, was traveling eastbound on Gonzales Road when it collided with the pedestrian, who was crossing outside of a marked crosswalk.
Police said that neither excessive speed nor impairment by alcohol or drugs appeared to be factors in the crash. Mercado remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
The Oxnard Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Traffic Coordinator Alvaro Pulido at, 805.385.7749 or via email at alvaro.pulido@oxnardpd.org.
Santa Barbara County Stocks Cachuma Lake With 4,000 Pounds of Rainbow Trout
Santa Barbara County officials have released 4,000 pounds of rainbow trout into Cachuma Lake this week as part of an ongoing fish stocking effort in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The latest release marks the third stocking of the season, bringing the total to more than 16,000 pounds of trout added to the lake this year.
The trout, sourced from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms, in Paynes Creek, range in size from half-pound catchables to trophy fish weighing up to eight pounds.
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area offers year-round camping options, including cabins, yurts, RV sites, and tent camping.
The lake is a popular destination for fishing, with an abundance of rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, carp, catfish, bluegill, and red-eared sunfish.
Anglers can find supplies and rentals at Cachuma Lake Marina and Boat Rentals, which offers pontoons, outboards, kayaks, and a fully stocked Bait and Tackle store.
Fishing licenses, available for daily or annual use, can also be purchased on-site, nearby, there is also a restaurant with live music on weekends.
Visitors bringing boats should be aware of the 30-day Quagga mussel inspection requirement, the County stated.
“Vessels must be inspected and tagged at least 30 days prior to visiting. Kayaks, canoes, and simple boats may be eligible for same-day launch,” the county authorities said.
More information is available on the county’s official website at countyofsb.org.
