By El Latino Newsroom
redaccion@latinocc.com
More than 200 junior high and high school students in Santa Barbara received a unique back-to-school gift this year: solar-powered reading lamps and portable chargers.
The initiative aims to address a persistent challenge for many low-income families—limited access to reliable light and power for schoolwork.
The project, called “Lessening the Digital Divide for Housing Authority Resident Students,” is the result of a partnership between local nonprofit Unite to Light, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB), and Deckers Brands.
A grant from Deckers funded the distribution of 200 Luke Lights and 20 solar power banks to youth participating in two HACSB programs: Tools for School and Preparación, Bienestar y Cultura (PBC), a summer college readiness initiative.
“This partnership is about more than lights and chargers—it’s about equity,” said Leticia Zúñiga, senior resident programs specialist at HACSB.
“We are grateful to Unite to Light and Deckers for helping us remove obstacles to academic achievement. These simple tools will have a lasting impact on our students’ ability to succeed in school and beyond.”
The Luke Lights are designed to help students complete homework at night in crowded or poorly lit homes. For students in the PBC program preparing for college, the solar-powered banks offer greater independence and the ability to stay connected.
“At Unite to Light, we believe every student deserves the tools to learn, no matter their zip code or income level. Light and power are essential for education, and we’re proud to partner with Deckers and HACSB to support these young scholars on their academic journeys,” said Megan Birney Rudert, president and CEO of Unite to Light.
Deckers, a longtime supporter of local community initiatives, emphasized the importance of investing in young people.
“We’re honored to support such an impactful program,” said Michelle Apodaca, director of Deckers Gives at Deckers Brands. “By investing in students today, we’re helping build a stronger, more equitable Santa Barbara for tomorrow.”
The solar tools were distributed alongside backpacks and school supplies at the annual Tools for School event in early August, which served more than 450 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Families also connected with over 20 youth-serving organizations at the event. The PBC students will receive their solar devices as part of their summer enrichment program.
Teacher Arrested for Abuse
A Newbury Park man who teaches chemistry at Fillmore High School was arrested last week on suspicion of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), authorities said.
Investigators with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office took Kevin John Reynolds, 40, into custody on August 27 after serving a search warrant at his home.
The search was part of a joint investigation led by the DA’s Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Unit, in coordination with the FBI and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said Reynolds was identified during an undercover operation aimed at people suspected of downloading and sharing CSAM. During the search, investigators seized multiple computers and external hard drives.
Reynolds was arrested at the scene and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail. He faces allegations of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
“The sexual exploitation of our children is one of the most disturbing crimes our investigators confront. Our investigators work tirelessly to identify and arrest those who seek to harm the most vulnerable members of our community,” Chief Investigator Scott Whitney said in a statement.
According to officials, investigators also confirmed that Reynolds is employed as a chemistry teacher at Fillmore High School. The Fillmore Unified School District and the Fillmore Police Department were immediately notified of his arrest.
Reynolds’ bail was set at $50,000, which he posted, and he is scheduled to appear in court on September 10. The case remains under investigation.
IV Man Arrested for Sexual Assault
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives arrested a 22-year-old Isla Vista man Saturday after a woman reported enduring an hours-long sexual and physical assault at an apartment on Trigo Road, authorities said.
The incident was reported around 9:30 a.m. on August 30 in the 6500 block of Trigo Road. Investigators said the woman, who knew the suspect, was assaulted for several hours.
At one point she managed to escape into a common area but was forced back inside before the attack continued.
Detectives arrested Damian Silverio at 5:42 p.m. that same day. He was booked into the SB County Main Jail on suspicion of multiple felony charges, including kidnapping to commit rape, rape by force or fear, false imprisonment, criminal threats, domestic violence, and preventing a victim from calling 911.
Silverio is being held without bail.
Authorities believe there may be witnesses who saw the incident unfold but have not yet been identified. Detectives are urging anyone who was in the area early Saturday morning and may have observed an altercation to contact Detective Ellis at (805) 681-4150.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip or by calling (805) 681-4171.
Sentenced to 20 Years to Life for Fatal DUI
An Oxnard man was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years to life in state prison for a 2018 DUI crash that killed a woman who stopped to help at the scene of another accident, prosecutors said.
Francisco Garcia, 56, was convicted July 9 of second-degree murder, two felony DUI counts causing great bodily injury, and felony hit-and-run causing serious injury, according to Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.
Jurors also found true several special allegations, including that the crime involved great violence and that Garcia engaged in violent conduct.
The crash happened July 22, 2018, on Pleasant Valley Road in Oxnard. Authorities said Garcia’s vehicle struck two disabled cars from an earlier collision, hitting people who had gotten out to render aid.
Elicia Lopez Hernandez was killed, and another victim was seriously injured, both were described as good Samaritans who had stopped to help.
Garcia fled on foot and was later found hiding on a rooftop by Oxnard police. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.24% hours after the crash, prosecutors said he had been drinking heavily that day.
“Elicia Lopez Hernandez was struck down while trying to help others. Her loss and the injury and suffering the defendant caused are tragedies that justice alone cannot heal. The sentence today brings accountability and serves to protect the community from a dangerous individual,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward Andrews, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement.
Garcia had a prior DUI conviction in 2009 and had received a Watson advisement, a California court warning that drivers convicted of DUI can face murder charges if they drive under the influence again and someone is killed.
