By Redacción
redaccion@latinocc.com
Over $120K Awarded to Revitalize Old Town Goleta
More than 20 small businesses in Old Town Goleta have been awarded a combined $120,000 in grants as part of the city’s effort to revitalize its historic downtown and attract more visitors to the area.
The Goleta City Council approved the funding on May 6 after reviewing recommendations from its Economic Development & Revitalization Committee.
The support comes through the city’s Pride of Place (POP) Grant Program, designed to strengthen the economic and cultural identity of Old Town while enhancing its appeal to locals and tourists alike.
“These grants are about more than just money; they are about investing in the businesses that already make Old Town special,” said District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco. “We’re building on what exists today to secure a vibrant future.”
City officials said the program drew 28 applications seeking more than $500,000 in funding. After review, 22 projects were selected to receive financial support for ideas ranging from public art and beautification efforts to cultural events and community activities.
The funded proposals include plans for colorful murals, storefront improvements, artist markets, live performances, fitness and skateboarding competitions, dance classes, and marketing campaigns designed to bring shoppers and visitors to the neighborhood.
The grant recipients are: Avellana Dance Studio, Blue Blossoms, Buscaron Biometrics, Carpeteria Carpet One, CopyRightSB, CZ Furniture Solutions, E Salon, Elvira’s Photography and Video, Foster Functional Fitness, Goleta Barbers, Island See & Feed, Latinos Insurance Agency, Liz G Photography, NQ Nails and Spa Services, OTC Coffee (Old Town Coffee), Paperback Alley, Santa Barbara Aquatics, Santa Barbara Electronics Supply, Skate One Corp. (Powell Peralta), The Edge Salon & Barbershop, and the Starfish Connection.
City staff will work with each recipient in the coming weeks to finalize agreements and distribute funds. Recipients will also receive technical and permitting assistance as needed to help bring their projects to life.
To further support the success of the funded businesses, the city is partnering with Women’s Economic Ventures to provide free business coaching and advisory services, ensuring grantees have the tools to make the most of their projects.
The city encouraged residents and visitors to keep an eye on Old Town Goleta in the months ahead as these projects take shape.
More information about the Pride of Place Grant Program, including the full staff report, is available at www.goleta.legistar.com.
For questions about the program, contact Shannon Kirn at skirn@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 562-5512.
Man Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft in Foreclosure Case
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that a Chino man pleaded guilty this week to felony identity theft for stealing more than $84,000 from a Thousand Oaks family who had lost their home to foreclosure.
Jonathan Martinez, 37, entered the guilty plea on May 8 to one count of unauthorized use of personal identifying information, officials said.
The crime took place after the victims lost their home in April 2021. Following the foreclosure, they began receiving multiple solicitations from law firms offering to assist with a possible wrongful foreclosure action.
Among them was Affinity Law Group, where Martinez was employed.
According to investigators, Affinity informed the family in June 2021 that they were entitled to surplus funds from the foreclosure sale because the home sold for more than the outstanding debts.
However, in February 2022, Martinez intercepted a check for $84,110 issued to the family. He forged their signatures, endorsed the check to himself, and deposited it into his personal account at Chase Bank, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s and Thousand Oaks Police’s Forgery and Fraud Unit.
Martinez used the money for personal expenses and repeatedly ignored or deflected the family’s attempts to obtain updates about their funds, prosecutors said.
The victims discovered the fraud in April 2022 when they learned the check had already been issued and deposited with a forged endorsement naming Martinez.
Chase Bank, after conducting its own investigation, reimbursed the victims and is now seeking to recover the funds from Martinez. So far, the bank has recovered about $30,000, leaving $50,164 in restitution still owed.
“This office takes real estate fraud seriously, especially when it targets families in distress,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum, who is prosecuting the case as part of the DA’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.
Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6 in Ventura County Superior Court, and faces a maximum penalty of four years and four months in jail.
Ventura County Approves Mobile Spay and Neuter Program
In a unanimous decision, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved on Tuesday, April 29, a major initiative aimed at expanding community veterinary services through the creation of the new Ventura County Community Mobile Spay and Neuter Program, in partnership with Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS).
Thanks to the support of the Animal Services Foundation of Ventura County, VCAS will receive a fully equipped mobile veterinary unit valued at approximately $250,000.
Additionally, a generous $1.7 million donation will fund a veterinary team for three years, consisting of a veterinarian, a registered veterinary technician, and two veterinary assistants. This team will staff the mobile unit to provide spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and basic veterinary care directly in underserved communities.
“By approving this important program, our Board is strengthening public health, protecting animals, and supporting our communities,” said Supervisor Janice Parvin, Chair of the Board.
“This initiative reaffirms our commitment to reaching every corner of the county and making a real and lasting difference for people and their pets.”
VCAS identified an urgent need for more accessible, low-cost spay and neuter services throughout Ventura County, particularly in areas that have historically had fewer resources available.
By bringing these services directly to neighborhoods, the program aims to reduce pet overpopulation, lower shelter intake numbers, and improve overall animal health. In the long run, it is expected to help reduce operational costs for animal shelters.
“The launch of our mobile spay and neuter clinic marks a significant step forward for animal welfare in our county,” said Esteban Rodriguez, Director of Ventura County Animal Services.
“With this effort, we remove barriers and bring essential veterinary care to the communities that need it most. We are deeply grateful to the VCAS Foundation for funding this project and to the Board of Supervisors for their full support.”
Ventura County Animal Services is an open-admission, lifesaving municipal animal welfare agency dedicated to improving the health, safety, and well-being of animals and people in Ventura County through timely, compassionate, and educational services.
For more information about VCAS programs and services, visit: animalservices.venturacounty.gov.
