Community News
Firestorm Devastates Los Angeles
By Mark M. Whitehurst / VOICE / 1.10.25
Wildfires which began raging on Tuesday in Los Angeles continue to burn out of control with no containment reported on Wednesday. Several additional fires in the metropolitan area have also started. Tens of thousands of people are under evacuation orders and about 1.5 million people are without power. Emergency rooms have filled with victims of smoke inhalation and related problems. The wildfire has caused billions of dollars in damage to the area.
The Getty Villa Museum, located in the area, is safe but the grounds and landscaping have been destroyed.
While thousands of firefighters battle the blaze, there is now a shortage of water and first responders.
The Palisades fire is less than 90 miles from Santa Barbara, which has also received warnings about Santa Ana Winds and has been notified of possible power outages.
World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is in Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
Latest figures show that 335 schools from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, and San Diego counties are closed, affecting more than 211,000 students, according to the California Dept. of Education.
The Palisades Fire has burned 15,800 acres; Eaton Fire has burned 10,000 acres; and the Hurst Fire has burned 700 acres.
“We’ve declared a state of emergency to amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery,” said Los Angeles Mayor Bass. “To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire – the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this emergency continues. To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze – we thank you. The City is working aggressively to confront this emergency.”
While on the ground in Pacific Palisades, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that California has secured a commitment for additional resources approved by the federal government to assist in battling the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire.
According to a New York Times report, “President Elect Donald Trump blamed Gov. Newsom and his water policies for the wildfires.”
Volunteers Needed for Point-In-Time Count
1.10.25
Goleta is seeking Additional volunteers to assist with the 2025 Homeless Point-In-Time Count, which will take place countywide on Wednesday, January 22nd, from 5:30 to 9am. Organized by the Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care, the Point-In-Time Count is the annual count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a given day, with the data used to secure essential homelessness services and funding.
To participate, volunteers should select “Goleta” as the primary choice on the registration form in order to be placed in a Goleta census. Volunteers can also register with friends by selecting a group name and each registering using that group name, with each group permitting up to five people. Teams of volunteers will follow assigned routes throughout Santa Barbara County and will document who is experiencing homelessness. This information is used to plan local homeless assistance systems, justify funding, and raise public awareness.
All volunteers must attend a one hour training session, with virtual trainings to be held on Zoom January 14th through 17th. Volunteers must register by Friday, January 17th.
For more info or to register, visit countyofsb.pointintime.info
Police Blotter
Bank Robbery on Carpinteria Avenue
1.17.25
An armed bank robbery took place, on January 14, 2025, at 2:21 p.m., in the 900 block of Carpinteria Ave., it has been reported by the Santa Barbara Police. When officers arrived at the scene, the suspect had already fled the area. According to the police report, the suspect approached the teller while brandishing a black handgun. The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, and the suspect left on foot.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male adult, approximately 5’7” tall, with a medium build. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt with the hood pulled over a dark-colored baseball cap. He also wore a dark-colored cloth mask covering his face, blue jeans, and light-colored shoes. There were no reported injuries during this robbery.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Santa Barbara Police Department at (805)897-2376. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Found Body at Leadbetter Beach
1.17.25
A body was found on Leadbetter Beach on January 14, 2025, at approximately 7am, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department report.
A Combined Communication Center received a report of a found body in the surf line at Leadbetter Beach, adjacent to 800 Shoreline Drive. Santa Barbara Police and Harbor Patrol responded to the scene, where they were directed to the body by a witnesses.
Santa Barbara Police and Harbor Patrol Officers moved the body onto the sand, where it was determined the individual was deceased. The decedent is a male who appears to be in his 30s-40s. The cause of death is still under investigation. No signs of foul play were discovered, and the decedent was taken by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau for further investigation.
Van Crash on Stearns Wharf Collides With 10 Vehicles and Two Pedestrians
1.17.25
Following multiple 911 calls about a car crash on Stearns Wharf, on January 11, 2025 at 3:56pm, the Santa Barbara Police Department responded to reports a van had crashed into both vehicles and pedestrians.
Santa Barbara Police, Fire, and Harbor Patrol responded to the accident. The involved van was near the end of Stearns Wharf. The driver of the van was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The van lost control, colliding with ten vehicles, most of which were parked. The van also collided with two pedestrians. The pedestrians sustained moderate injuries. Both of the pedestrians was transported to Cottage Hospital for treatment. An additional hree people, all occupants of vehicles struck by the van, were transported to Cottage Hospital for complaints of pain.
The driver of the van was interviewed by law enforcement at the scene of the accident. He was taken to Cottage Hospital for treatment related to a preexisting medical condition. The cause of the collision is still under investigation. The collision did not appear to be an intentional act.
Charges Filed in Santa Maria
Gang-Related Murder
1.10.25
Charges have been filed against a 16-year-old in the Santa Barbara County Juvenile Court and 18-year-old Jesus Lopez-Ramirez and 21-year-old Alex Brandon Lopez-Ramirez in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in connection with the December 10, 2024 murder of a 20-year-old victim in the City of Santa Maria.
Jesus Lopez-Ramirez was charged with one felony count of first degree murder and charged with a special circumstance for a murder committed to further the activities of a criminal street gang. Jesus Lopez-Ramirez is also charged with several felony counts of possession of an assault rifle, possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a loaded firearm without proper registration, and street terrorism. Alex Brandon Lopez-Ramirez was charged with several felony counts of possession of an assault rifle, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, street terrorism, and accessory after the crime of murder. A 16-year-old juvenile has also been charged with one felony count of first degree murder and additionally charged with a special circumstance for a murder committed to further the activities of a criminal street gang and other charges.
Jesus Lopez-Ramirez and Alex Brandon Lopez-Ramirez were arraigned in Department 9 of the Santa Maria Division of the Santa Barbara Superior Court. Senior Deputy District Attorney Bryant Estep is leading the prosecution of this case, according to John T. Savrnoch, Santa Barbara County District Attorney.