Taking to the skies

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER Goleta to hold economic development forum

Motorcyclist injured in Hwy. 154 crash

SANTA YNEZ — A motorcycle rider was injured Sunday afternoon after two vehicles struck his motorcycle on Highway 154 at Foxen Canyon Road, county fire officials said.

The accident occurred at 2:39 p.m.

A bystander performed CPR on the male motorcycle rider, officials said.

The patient was transported by ground ambulance with a fire paramedic to Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital.

No other injuries were reported.

The accident remains under investigation.

— Neil Hartstein

Man arrested for allegedly making threats with a gun

SANTA MARIA – Santa Maria Police patrol officers, responding to a report of a subject with a firearm in the 700 block of E. Meehan Street, investigated and determined a suspect had pointed a firearm at two adult victims at close range and threatened to kill them.

Thirty-year-old Santa Maria area resident Eric Locksley was determined to be the suspect with the firearm in this incident.

Patrol officers were on scene on Friday around 12:20 p.m. Detectives subsequently took over the investigation that resulted in arrest and search warrants being issued for Locksley and his residence.

At about 3 a.m. Saturday, detectives, with the assistance of the Santa Maria Police Department’s SWAT Team, served search and arrest warrants at a residence in the 1100 block of Hilltop Drive.

Mr. Locksley and an acquaintance, 30-year-old Rafael Lua Valencia, were both arrested during the warrant service operation.

Mr. Locksley was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats charges. Mr. Valencia was booked on an outstanding felony warrant for resisting a police officer out of Yuba County.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Santiago at (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 1362 or the SMPD Communications Center (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 2277.

Neil Hartstein

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GOLETA – The city of Goleta is developing a Five-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan.

A review of the draft plan will take place during a community forum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Goleta City Council chambers, in-person at 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, and via Zoom. The city of Goleta said it welcomes the community’s input.

The plan outlines strategies such as improving city government support of local businesses and investing in streetscape infrastructure in Old Town, with the goal of attracting and growing businesses, creating and retaining jobs, and making the community a better place, according to the city.

The city released a survey last fall to gather input and ideas from businesses, nonprofits, organizations, residents, visitors, and everyone who has a stake in the economic future of Goleta. The city said the feedback from the survey was incorporated into the draft plan. For more information, email Ryan Kintz, assistant to the city manager, at rkintz@cityofgoleta.org.

– Katherine Zehnder