By Agencies
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Santa Barbara Police received several reports from a local church and children’s center regarding a string of burglaries that occurred in the area of 2100 State Street.
Detectives started investigating the case and the public’s assistance was requested in identifying the two suspects involved in six burglaries reported over a five-day period.
Shortly after the request to the community, Detectives received several tips about the identity of the suspects.
This information led to the arrest of the two suspects involved; Carla Rocha, a 23-year-old Santa Barbara resident, and Alex Francisco, a 19-year-old Ventura resident.
Rocha was located and arrested in the 100 West block of Cabrillo Blvd. on January 17.
The next day, Francisco turned himself in at the SBPD.
During a separate incident, on December 28, officers investigated a robbery that occurred at a local smoke shop in the 1900 block of De La Vina St., where three suspects and a get-away driver committed a robbery at gunpoint, taking the cash register.
Detectives were actively working on this investigation and developed information that led them to believe Francisco was involved in the robbery at 1900 De La Vina Street. Authorities also learned the identities of three other suspects, therefore search and arrest warrants were authorized by a Superior Court Judge to detain of all suspects involved.
That led to January 20, when Detectives arrested Vicente Herrera-Chavez, 42-year-old during a traffic stop off Hwy 101 and Patterson Ave (Goleta).
Located in Herrera-Chavez’s vehicle was a loaded handgun as well as narcotics.
The same day, Detectives located Jose Arnulfo Muñoz, 25-year-old, in the 1600 block of Bath Street.
Muñoz was placed under arrest for his suspected involvement in the robbery, he also had narcotics and paraphernalia on him at the time.
Later in the day Detectives located the third suspect in the 1st block of Santa Felicia Dr., City of Goleta, Marcos Jorge Pecero, a 37-year-old Goleta resident.
Detectives executed search warrants at a residence in the 300 block of West Valerio Street and located and seized evidence related to the robbery.
All arrestees were transported and booked in the Santa Barbara County Jail.
CLIMATE INITIATIVE IN SB COUNTY
The Santa Barbara County announced this week that is launching two new planning efforts under the One Climate Initiative, which was launched in 2020 to highlight interrelated efforts to address climate change.
The Environmental Justice Element is a new initiative to identify strategies to reduce pollution exposure, improve air quality, promote access to public facilities, healthy foods, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity, promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process, and prioritize improvements and programs in environmental justice communities experiencing persistent environmental health disparities.
“The One Climate Initiative highlights the broad range of important community issues the County is leading through a lens of climate change,” said Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Chair of the Board of Supervisors.
Secondly, the Housing Element will assess the County’s housing potential inventory of undeveloped or underdeveloped parcels, and update zoning policies and housing programs to ensure the County can meet future regional housing needs for all income levels.
“Community participation is vital as these plans will shape our region’s future to be more equitable, more resilient and environmentally conscious,” said Hartmann.
Throughout 2021, the County engaged the community on the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, 2030 Climate Action Plan and Active Transportation Plan.
Hundreds of community members participated in six workshops, 12 town halls, four listening sessions and 24 stakeholder meetings, and provided comments through the One Climate website.
SBC REQUESTS COVID TESTS
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has requested over 200,000 at-home COVID-19 antigen test kits from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a federal healthcare partner.
As of January 21, nearly 57,000 test kits have been delivered and will be distributed via community partners countywide. The remaining kits are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
“Through the receipt of these initial test kit shipments, we are on the road to community members having regular access to free, at-home test kits,” shared County Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso.
“It is only through the many partners that have agreed to assist in test kit distribution that we are able to ensure equity of access for all of our Santa Barbara County communities.”
Approximately 35 community partners, including those serving populations at greatest risk from adverse outcomes related to COVID-19 have been allocated test kits.
Partners include community-based organizations, cities, agricultural and public housing providers, service providers for persons experiencing homelessness, and more.
Community distribution events will begin taking place as test kits are given to partners in the next few days. Sites open to the public will be listed at www.publichealthsbc.org/testing.
The 2-1-1 Call Center will be available to direct persons who do not have access to the internet as sites are opened.
County Public Health will host a one-day distribution event open to the public in Santa Maria this Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.
If supplies run out before 4 p.m., the event will end early.
The event will take place at the Santa Maria Health Care Center located at 2115 Centerpointe Pkwy, Santa Maria, 93455.
For information about current testing opportunities, vaccination events, and COVID-19 response locally visit, www.publichealthsbc.org or call 2-1-1.
A. HANCOCK WILL PAY $10K TO STUDENTS
Allan Hancock College students will get the chance to earn $10,000 next fall in exchange for completing 450 hours of volunteer service with local nonprofits and government agencies under a new state program.
“We are very excited to take part in this new and promising program,” said Hancock Superintendent/President, Kevin G. Walthers.
Hancock is one of 45 colleges and universities selected to participate in the new California College Corps, a service-based college opportunity program that seeks to help California college students pay for school, reduce student debt, and serve their communities.
“The California College Corps will offer Hancock students yet another opportunity to change their odds while they gain valuable experience and make a difference in their community and state,” said Walthers.
The College Corps, set to launch in fall 2022, will provide participating students with service opportunities in critical issue areas such as climate action, K-12 education, and COVID-19 recovery.
Students who complete a year of service will receive $10,000, which includes a $7,000 stipend and a $3,000 education award for completing 450 service hours.
The campuses participating were selected as program participants via a competitive grant application process. Other Central Coast colleges participating in the program include Cuesta College and Cal Poly SLO.
Hancock will provide information to students regarding how to qualify and apply for the program later this spring via the college’s website and student’s myHancock email.
To learn more about the California College Corps program, visit
