By El Latino Newsroom
redaccion@latinocc.com
The City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department officially welcomed the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol’s newest emergency response vessel, the M2 Catamaran, during a christening ceremony at the Travel Hoist Pier.
The event, held at 8 a.m. on March 10, marked the arrival of a state-of-the-art patrol, fire and rescue vessel designed to enhance the department’s capabilities in marine law enforcement and emergency operations.
The M2 Catamaran, built by Moose Boats LLC, will replace Patrol Boat No. 3, which has been in service since 1999, acquired for approximately $900,000, was secured through General Services Administration (GSA) pricing, allowing the city to obtain it at a lower cost than current market rates for materials and labor.
Equipped for a range of critical operations, the M2 features advanced marine firefighting technology, emergency medical response capabilities, and search and rescue functions.
It will also be utilized for emergency towing operations along the Santa Barbara coastline.
The Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol serves as the primary emergency response agency for the city’s harbor, marina, beaches, and Stearns Wharf.
The patrol’s jurisdiction extends from Santa Barbara Point to Loon Point and three miles offshore. In cases of mutual aid calls and extended rescue missions, the patrol operates as far as Coal Oil Point, Rincon Island, and 12 miles into the Santa Barbara Channel.
For more information on the Santa Barbara Waterfront Department and its services, visit SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Waterfront.
ARRESTED FOR ELDERLY FRAUD
An Ojai caregiver has been arrested on charges of financial elder abuse after allegedly altering and forging checks belonging to an 81-year-old woman, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Heather Moore, 25, was taken into custody on Jan. 23, 2025, in Oxnard after detectives identified her as a suspect in a case involving more than $3,000 in fraudulent transactions.
Investigators said Moore exploited the victim’s cognitive decline by altering checks made out to her and depositing them into her personal account.
Authorities said the scheme was uncovered when an alert bookkeeper noticed discrepancies in the victim’s financial records and reported them to the victim’s family, who then contacted law enforcement.
The case was initially investigated by an Ojai Station patrol deputy before being turned over to detectives.
Detectives obtained a warrant for Moore’s arrest on charges of elder abuse, forgery, and grand theft. She was booked into the Ventura County Jail, and court proceedings are underway.
The VCSO encouraged residents to remain vigilant in protecting elderly family members from financial exploitation.
For updates on public safety and law enforcement efforts, residents can follow the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on social media or sign up for alerts via Nixle by texting their zip code to 888777.
CITY OF VENTURA RECEIVES $9 FOR HOMELESSNESS
City of Ventura has been awarded $9.8 million in grant funding through the State of California’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program.
This funding will help provide services, shelter, and long-term housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly in the Ventura River bottom and other encampment areas.
“This grant will provide much-needed support for individuals living in encampments,” said Ventura Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios.
“Addressing homelessness remains a top priority for our City Council, and we are committed to investing in programs that tackle root causes while offering both immediate and long-term solutions.”
The City will use this funding to expand emergency shelter options, enhance supportive services like case management and mental health resources, and strengthen partnerships with the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura to create more permanent housing opportunities.
The City has already made progress in these areas through projects like the All Roads Connect to Housing (ARCH) shelter, a 55-bed, low-barrier facility developed with Mercy House and the County of Ventura.
“We are excited to partner with HCD to expand permanent supportive housing options,” said Community Development Director Rachel Dimond. «This grant will be instrumental in advancing both temporary and long-term housing strategies identified in the City Council’s recent strategic priorities.”
VTA. COUNTY EXPANDS PETS FOR LIFE
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has approved funding to expand the Pets for Life program, an initiative by Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) aimed at helping families keep their pets despite financial hardships or housing instability.
The board voted Tuesday to accept a grant provided in partnership by the Humane Society of the United States and the Ventura County Community Foundation.
The funding will allow VCAS to continue offering critical services, including free microchips, veterinary care, and pet food, to prevent families from surrendering their pets due to financial struggles.
“Programs like Pets for Life are essential in ensuring that no family has to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender a pet due to financial hardship,” said 4th District Supervisor Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board of Supervisors.
“By investing in solutions that provide direct support to pet owners, we are not only keeping animals out of shelters but also strengthening the well-being of families throughout Ventura County.”
Since its launch, Pets for Life has provided more than 100 free microchips, repaired fences, built dog runs, and offered financial and emotional support to pet owners in crisis. In 2023, the program assisted 111 families and 215 pets, providing food and essential pet supplies.
This year, VCAS expanded outreach efforts by hosting a community event in the La Colonia area of Oxnard, where families received free pet food and supplies.
“We are incredibly proud of the success of our Pets for Life program,” said Esteban Rodriguez, Director of Ventura County Animal Services. “Going door-to-door in underserved areas of our county is exactly the level of grassroots support our residents and their animals need.”
The grant approval reinforces Ventura County’s commitment to proactive, long-term solutions for animal welfare.
By reducing shelter intakes and providing direct assistance to pet owners, the Pets for Life program aims to build a sustainable support network that allows families to care for their pets for years to come, the County authorities said.
Arrested for Illegal Marijuana Sales
A Santa Maria man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to illicit marijuana sales, including shipping cannabis to states where sales are prohibited, authorities said.
Detectives from the Santa Barbara County Cannabis Compliance Team arrested 25-year-old Apolinar Ordaz on Thursday, March 13, after serving search warrants at two locations: a property in the 200 block of Rochelle Lane in Santa Maria and Ordaz’s residence in the 2000 block of Sandalwood Drive in Tanglewood.
During the searches, deputies uncovered an illegal marijuana operation, including evidence that Ordaz had been conducting online sales and shipping cannabis across state lines.
He was booked into the Northern Branch Jail on one felony and two misdemeanor marijuana violations. He is also being held without bail for violating probation on a prior charge.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown emphasized the importance of cracking down on illegal cannabis operations, stating that unregulated sales harm the legal marijuana industry and pose risks to consumers.
“It is important to realize that illegal marijuana distribution and sales operations negatively impact the legal cannabis industry by offering unregulated products,” Brown said.
Brown say shutting down illicit cannabis operations helps protect public safety by preventing organized crime and the violence often associated with illegal drug trade.
