Archive » January 1, 2009

As 2008 draws to a close, it is hard to pinpoint one Santa Ynez Valley Journal’s news story from the past year that stood out above the rest.

Rather, there were numerous events of importance that touched local lives during the year.

We compiled excerpts from our news coverage over the last 12 months to take a look back at some of the things that transpired. This is by no means a complete list, but an effort was made to hit the highlights.

 

January

State and local officials mobilized to sanction Greka Energy Company after a series of spills at facilities in Los Olivos and Santa Maria.

The company claimed some of the spills were the result of sabotage. No one was ever arrested.

The board of supervisors had the Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan on its agenda, but it was never considered.

Eleven students were injured in a bus accident near the high school. 

The Buellton City Council voted to ban medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits.

Larry Saarloos’ Stage Stop Plaza project in Los Olivos was approved by the county planning commission.

Dave Smyser announced he would run for 3rd District Supervisor, joining candidates Doreen Farr, Steve Pappas and David Bearman.

A local youth group hosted a senior prom at the Old Mission.

Rev. Chuck Stacey announced his retirement from St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church.

Three local wineries were issued citations for selling alcohol to minors.

A burglar who robbed Star Drugs in Santa Ynez and stole drugs from the pharmacy was arrested.

Superintendent Steve Michaud resigned from the Solvang School District after six years of service and Chris Whitmore was hired part-time.

A Montessori school opened in Santa Ynez.

 

February

Greka threatened to sue the county after stop-work orders were issued at some of its facilities. The company’s employees were also found to be concealing oil spills by Environmental Protection Agency investigators.

A Buellton voter was given the wrong ballot in the election. The county elections office said more training was needed for poll workers.

Diane Siegal of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School was named Educator of the Month by Montecito Bank and Trust.

Local farmer Doug Mosebar was elected for his second term as president of the California Farm Bureau.

The city of Solvang worked to alleviate concerns about the Amgen Tour of California Bike Race by making adjustments to the time trial route. The race was held Feb. 22.

Third District supervisor candidate David Smyser came under fire for campaign contributions that were linked to the owners of the Bacara Hotel in Goleta.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Principal Norm Clevenger’s contract was not renewed by the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School board of trustees, setting off a community controversy.

Three more citations were issued for wineries selling alcohol to minors.

The Buellton City Council approved plans for the Santa Ynez Valley Inn and Racquet Club on Industrial Way.

Buellton politician Victoria Pointer entered the race for 3rd District Supervisor.

Cookies from the Solvang Bakery were featured on the “Regis and Kelly” morning talk show on ABC.

The county board of supervisors declined to accept a study of the economic impacts of the Chumash Casino.

 

March

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved plans for a jail to be constructed in Santa Maria.

Third District supervisorial candidate Steve Pappas announced his political platform.

Santa Barbara County supervisors began talking about how to deal with a $26 million budget deficit.

The California Highway Patrol announced an effort to crack down on wine tasting-related drunk drivers.

Concern about invasive Quagga mussels led to inspections and higher boat launch fees at Lake Cachuma.

Incoming high school Superintendent Paul Turnbull got a chilly reception due to the Norm Clevenger controversy.

A recall effort against the school board was started by a group of community members.

Another oil spill was reported at a Greka facility in Santa Maria.

Buellton Police Chief Leland Bentley retired after 30 years in law enforcement.

High school students held a “No Room for Hate” peace walk.

The Solvang City Council decided not to discuss Chumash Casino expansion.

The first debate of the 3rd District Supervisor race was held.

There were a series of car break-ins at the Santa Ynez Valley YMCA.

The new Jonata Bridge was officially opened.

Lt. Mark Liddi became the new lieutenant at the Solvang Sheriff’s Department substation.

The search was on for a new principal of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

 

April

Doreen Farr led the 3rd District campaign in fundraising.

Changes were made to the county’s off-road vehicle ordinance, a three strikes rule that included infraction charges and fines.

Areas burned by the Zaca Fire in July 2007 were reopened.

The Buellton City Council considered an ordinance to help protect mobile home owners from park redevelopments.

Quagga mussel inspections began at Lake Cachuma.

A dog named Zach survived a hit and run accident and a coyote attack.

A candidate forum in the 3rd District race was held at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church.

A proposal for wine tasting at the Barrack Winery in Happy Canyon was protested by neighbors.

Santa Ynez Valley schools suffered only a few teacher layoffs during a state budget-imposed cut.

Chinese acrobats visited Solvang School.

A fire at a packaging plant in Santa Maria caused cable service outages.

Suzanne Nicastro was named new principal of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

The annual Elks queen contest was called off, but Emily Cota persisted in a fundraising effort for Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation.

 

May

District Attorney Investigator Laura Cleaves, 53, was killed in an accident on Highway 154 after the car she was driving was hit by Ashley Johnigan, who was driving with a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. Johnigan will stand trial on the charges against her in 2009.

The county district attorney’s office looked into the controversy at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and determined no charges would be filed.

A Buellton community group placed a growth limit initiative on the November general election ballot.

The buyers of Mattei’s Tavern said in an interview that they wished to maintain the property and keep it true to its historic character.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments voted to support a suicide barrier on the Cold Spring Arch Bridge.

Manny Jones, a security guard at the Chumash Casino, died at work under circumstances that his family later found to be suspicious.

Buellton’s Hitching Post was named one of the world’s 100 best restaurants.

Santa Barbara County was awarded $56.3 million in state funding to build a new Santa Maria jail, provided it would be able to place a re-entry prison locally or regionally. 

Employees at four Solvang wineries were cited for selling alcohol to minors.

A lawsuit was filed by Christine Williams alleging fraud, misrepresentation and deceit by Dana and Terri Klaft over a deal to buy the Union Hotel in Los Alamos.

A boat launch ramp improvement project was completed at Lake Cachuma.

 

June

The results of the election determined a runoff would be held between Santa Ynez Valley residents Steve Pappas and Doreen Farr for the 3rd District supervisor seat.

Jed Beebe and John MacKinnon were the two candidates in the race for a superior court judge seat.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School graduated the class of 2008.

Old Santa Ynez Day was held.

Former Santa Ynez Valley Union High School principal Norm Clevenger got a job as the principal of San Marcos High School.

The high school Theatre Group was invited to perform at a festival in Scotland.

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation proposed to plant olive groves and install trails on land adjacent to Old Mission Santa Ines.

Los Olivos hosted the 4th annual Jazz and Olive Festival.

Stevan Todorovic of Santa Ynez was arrested on a 22 counts of federal charges including mail and wire fraud.

Misdemeanor assault charges against Sam Cohen, an attorney-advocate for the Chumash Casino, were dismissed during the second day of his trial.

 

July

The Santa Ynez Conservation District, Improvement District No. 1, came under fire for Assembly Bill 2686, which would have changed the district’s name, authority and jurisdiction. The primary community concern was over a reference to “tribal governments” in the bill and whether it would allow tribal entities to claim water rights. The author, Assemblyman Pedro Nava, defended the bill as sound policy.

A meeting about the Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan ended with an extension to the time allowed for public comment on the plan, and it became clear that adoption of the plan would not take place during Supervisor Brooks Firestone’s term.

Linda Jackson and Jim Richardson announced they would run for mayor of Solvang.

Jennifer Wooten and her horse were short listed for the U.S. Equestrian Olympic team.

The Gap Fire raged above Goleta, but didn’t burn any structures.

Buellton’s City Council decided to place its own growth limit initiative on the November ballot in response to a citizen-generated initiative.

The Amgen Tour of California’s return to Solvang in 2009 was announced.

 

August

Assembly Bill 2686 was approved by the state assembly.

Chamberlin family matriarch Ailie Chamberlin died at age 102.

Solvang resident Todd Rogers and his teammate Phil Dalhausser won an Olympic gold medal in men’s beach volleyball in Beijing.

A petition to halt more wine tasting rooms in Los Olivos was circulated and submitted to Santa Barbara County as part of the comments about the draft community plan.

A sheriff’s department sweep of marijuana gardens in the Los Padres National Forest netted more than $59 million in marijuana plants.

Ashley Johnigan, who was involved in the car accident that killed Laura Cleaves, pleaded not guilty to charges that included murder.

Two Buellton women were charged with fraudulent use of a credit card.

Old Mission Santa Ines held its annual Fiesta.

 

September

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed Assembly Bill 2686 on Sept. 30.

Solvang held its annual Danish Days celebration.

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School board filed a general denial to a complaint by former principal Norm Clevenger, who sued the district alleging breach of contract.

Supervisor Brooks Firestone underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker.

A proposal to create a special events venue at the Firestone family’s Crossroads Estate was pulled from consideration by the county board of supervisors.

Josh Cunningham stepped down as football coach at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Brian Wallace took his spot.

The Parks-Janeway Carriage House celebrated its 30th anniversary.

A specific plan for the Village Project at Highway 246 and McMurray Road was adopted by the Buellton City Council.

An Ag Futures Alliance was created to bridge the divide between ranchers/farmers and environmentalists.

 

October

Local activist Bob Field and water district manager Chris Dahlstrom wrangled over a  complaint filed with the county Sheriff’s Department over Field’s presence in the district parking lot after a meeting.

An armed and dangerous man was sought on Santa Rosa Road in Buellton.

Santa Barbara County’s budget problems continued to worsen.

Work was underway on roadway improvement projects on Highway 154.

Santa Barbara County’s Board of Supervisors approved development at the Santa Barbara Ranch on the Gaviota Coast.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments reaffirmed its support for a suicide barrier on the Cold Spring Arch Bridge. Construction of the barrier is expected to move forward in 2010. There were four suicides from the bridge in 2008.

The late Harry R. Correll of Solvang was added to a statewide firefighter’s memorial in Sacramento.

The ranch hands who started the 2007 Zaca Fire were found not to be reckless in their actions on the day the fire started, and will not face felony charges.

St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church welcomed a new pastor, the Rev. Randall Day.

A golf tournament honored the late Laura Cleaves, with money raised going to the Survivors Benefit Fund for the relatives of fallen law enforcement officers.

The 13th annual Chumash Pow Wow was held at Live Oak Campground.

The Ranch Church organized care packages for soldiers in Iraq.

 

November

Doreen Farr was elected 3rd District Supervisor, defeating Steve Pappas.

Bruce Porter and Christine Burtness were elected to the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board of Trustees.

Jim Richardson was elected mayor of Solvang.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High graduate Aaron Allen, a Marine, was killed in action in Iraq.

More than 200 homes in Santa Barbara were destroyed in the Tea Fire, which was started by a group of college students who left a smoldering campfire behind after hanging out on a mountaintop. Santa Ynez Valley Union High School graduate Lance Hoffman and his wife, Carla, were severely burned while trying to escape the fire. A community fundraising effort is mobilized on their behalf.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a Solvang restaurant’s court win against Jarek Molski, a wheelchair-bound man who sued dozens of Central Coast businesses over access.

A new bridge went in over North Refugio Road.

Chris Joseph, a Santa Ynez Valley Union High School grad, was named a Rhodes Scholar.

Numerous incidents of gas station credit card ID theft were reported in the Valley.

Escrow closed on the sale of the Firestone family’s Crossroads Estate to Bill Foley.

Tom Barrack’s development company took over the deed to Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch on Figueroa Mountain Road.

The last remaining residents of the former Foss Trailer Park learned they would be able to stay there, as the park will remain for trailers.

The city of Solvang applied to become a “Preserve American Community.”

Veterans Day was recognized with a ceremony at the Solvang Veterans Hall.

Shooting for a Hallmark film went on in Santa Ynez.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School sports teams won league championships in boys’ water polo, girls’ tennis, girls’ golf, and the girls’ volleyball team won its 3rd straight Los Padres League title.

 

December

Solvang teen Michael Moore was killed in a car accident on Alisal Road.

Local real estate agent Michael Bagshaw was killed in a car accident on Highway 101.

Third District supervisor candidate Steve Pappas asked for a partial recount of the election results and retained the services of an election law attorney.

The Solvang City Council was still undecided about how its vacant seat would be filled.

Supervisor Brooks Firestone was bid a fond farewell by his board of supervisors colleagues.

Ashley Johnigan will be tried in the death of Laura Cleaves.

Doreen Farr announced that Marrel Brooks of Vandenberg Village would be her appointee to the county planning commission.

The new owners of Mattei’s Tavern announced their plans to redevelop the historic stage coach stop into a 70-room luxury boutique hotel.

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School board discussed ways to deal with a budget shortfall. Teacher layoffs are possible in the new year.

The Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority board voted to submit a draft plan with reduced expansion plans to the county in hopes that the new draft wouldn’t require an Environmental Impact Report.

The city of Buellton approved funding for a botanical garden at River View Park.

The Chumash Casino’s extensive renovations of the former Royal Scandinavian Inn and Meadows Restaurant were underway.

The historic Buell family home was granted historic merit status.

Tony Strickland was declared the winner over Hannah-Beth Jackson for the 19th District State Senate seat.

Reach Leah Etling at letling@syvjournal.com.