Santa Ynez Valley
Victim of Highway 154 crash identified
A man killed in a crash Friday night on Highway 154 east of Whitaker's Curve has been identified by the California Highway Patrol as 60-year-old George E. Glisson of Paso Robles.
Glisson was driving his Ford F-250 pickup east on Highway 154 at 55 to 60 mph as he entered a sweeping curve around 5:30 p.m., the CHP said.
In the turn, the truck drifted about two feet into the westbound lane and Glisson turned the truck back to the right.
The truck left the eastbound edge of the roadway, continued through a dirt area and plunged about 300 feet into a creek bed, where it landed on its roof, the CHP said.
Glisson and one of two dogs in the truck were pronounced dead at the scene. The other dog did not suffer any visible injuries, and was taken to CARE Hospital.
The crash remains underinvestigation.
Several emergency agencies responded, and rescuers had to be lowered into the steep ravine, according to Capt. David Sadecki with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
"It's a pretty dangerous operation," Sadecki said. "It's a sheer drop off 154 to the vehicle."
The scenic highway was narrowed to one lane after the crash to accommodate the rescue and emergency equipment, Sadecki said.
It was the second fatal accident in a week on Highway 154.
On Sunday afternoon, 25-year-old Lauren Krikorian of Oakland died in a head-on collision near Lake Cachuma.
Santa Maria
Arraignment delayed for murder suspects
Two men accused of murder in a fatal shooting appeared in a Santa Maria courtroom Friday to be formally charged, but their arraignment hearing was postponed to Sept. 4.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office has filed a first-degree murder charge and a gang allegation against Santa Maria residents Alexis Guzman, 18, and Michael Robbins, 20.
According to Santa Maria police, Robbins was fighting with 25-year-old Hector Ramirez Perez of Santa Maria before Guzman fatally shot him Sunday night in the 300 block of West Newlove Drive.
Both Robbins and Guzman are gang members, police said, but Perez is not believed to have had any gang affiliations.
The defendants both remain in county jail without the option of bail.
Gaviota
Brush fire doused near Highway 101
Firefighters doused a brush fire near Highway 101 in the Tajiguas area within two hours Thursday night, according to Capt. David Sadecki of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The 6.7-acre blaze on the north side of Highway 101 was driven by 10 mph winds that pushed the fire toward the ocean and frontage road, Sadecki said.
There were no injuries or evacuations.
At the time the fire broke out, about 10 p.m., the air temperature was 90 degrees with 27 percent humidity.
Solvang
Centennial logo to be revealed
The logo that will be widely used throughout the yearlong celebration of Solvang's centennial will be unveiled Sept. 10 in Solvang Park along with the identity of the artist who created it.
The public is invited to the 11 a.m. ceremony at the downtown park, where refreshments will be served after the presentation by Mayor Jim Richardson, Centennial Committee Chairman Ed Skytt and Executive Director Tracy Farhad of the Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau.
"The selected design reflects Solvang's unique cultural and
historical fabric," and more than 150 artists from the United States and abroad competed to win the $1,000 cash prize offered for the winning logo, according to the Centennial Committee's announcement this week.
For more information, call 688-6144, ext. 104; e-mail tracy@solvangusa.com; or go to www.solvangusa.com.
Los Alamos
LAPAC meeting set for Wednesday
The Los Alamos Planning Advisory Committee (LAPAC) will hold its first meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Los Alamos Senior Center, 690 Bell St.
The newly appointed advisory board will be introduced by 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr at the public meeting and then board members will appoint officers.
The LAPAC was created to advise county officials on the preparation of a land use and planning blueprint for the Los Alamos community.
For more information on the meeting, board members or community plan process, call Bret McNulty at 884-8060 or visit long range.sbcountyplanning.org/planareas/losalamos/lapac.php.
- From wire reports