Community media conference takes place in Santa Barbara

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

TV Santa Barbara, the region’s community media access center since 1974, is serving as a host for this week’s Alliance for Community Media Western Region Conference and Trade Show.

The event will run through Friday at the Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara.

“We are very excited to participate in this important conference, which supports diverse community voices, through public, educational, and government access channels and other forms of media,” Erik Davis, executive director of TVSB, said in a news release. “With a full slate of events, we look forward to showcasing the important work that media access centers provide communities lucky enough to have them.”

The conference kicked off Wednesday with a tour of City TV and an open house at TV Santa Barbara, followed by a welcome reception at the historic Cabrillo Pavilion.

Today will feature informational workshops and a vendor exhibit showcasing the latest media equipment and resources at the Mar Monte Hotel.

Tonight at the hotel, the Western Access Video Excellence Awards will recognize the best TV shows, films and short-form videos.

For more information, including the complete conference schedule, visit www.tvsb.tv/events.

Conference passes as well as WAVE Awards ceremony tickets ($50) can be purchased by visiting www.acmwest.org/conference.

Santa Barbara was the site of the first ACM West Regional Conference in 1982, and the first WAVE Awards ceremonies were

TV Santa Barbara is a host of the Alliance for Community Media Western Region Conference and Trade Show, taking place this week at the Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara.

COURTESY PHOTO held in Santa Barbara in 1988. 2023 also marks the 20-year anniversary of TV Santa Barbara

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

the suspects is asked to contact the Lompoc Police Department at 805-736-2341.

— Katherine Zehnder

Police: Woman forced to give money

SANTA BARBARA — An elderly woman last week was forced into a vehicle in downtown Santa Barbara and taken to her home, where a large sum of her money was stolen, according to Santa Barbara police.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. Feb. 16, the woman was leaving a store in the 200 East block of Gutierrez Street when she was approached by a man and woman whom she did not know. The suspects then allegedly forced the victim into a vehicle and drove to the victim’s house.

Identity sought for suspect

LOMPOC — The Lompoc Police Department is requesting the public’s help to identify the suspect in this photo.

He, along with three other males, allegedly entered Five Below in Lompoc during business hours.

Lompoc police said two of the males acted as lookouts, while the other two were able to obtain access to the secured back office.

Once inside, they allegedly attempted to steal two safes. They were unsuccessful in moving or opening the safes. Lompoc police said the suspects took multiple photos of the safes during the crime.

The suspects were confronted by employees and fled. Five Below employees said stores in the Bakersfield and Delmonte areas have been targeted in a similar fashion.

Anyone with information on the identity of

Comedy Pet Theatre comes to Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — Comedy

Pet Theatre and its rescued cats and dogs will take the stage at 4 p.m. Saturday at The Marjorie

After entering the home, the suspects reportedly left the area in a gray 4-door vehicle after obtaining a large sum of money, according to Sgt. Ethan Ragsdale. He said no further information is available to describe the vehicle.

Sgt. Ragsdale, the public information officer for Santa Barbara police, said the suspects are currently outstanding.

The female suspect was described as an older white woman, Spanish-speaking with brown hair and approximately 6 feet tall. Sgt. Ragsdale said she told the victim she was from Costa Rica.

The male suspect was described as an older white male, Spanish-speaking with black hair and approximately 6 feet tall. Sgt. Ragsdale said this man told the victim he was from Cuba.

This case is currently under active investigation by Santa Barbara police detectives. If you see the suspects, you’re asked to contact the Santa Barbara Police Department immediately by calling 9-1-1.

— Katherine Zehnder

Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota St. The show will feature acts such as the Dog Classroom, the Amazing House-Cats and the Animal Train Station, along with human acrobats, mimes and contortionists.

The pets were rescued by becoming a 501(c) 3 nonprofit. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Road closure near Vandenberg Village

VANDENBERG VILLAGE — Roadwork at the intersection of State Route 1 and Santa Lucia Canyon Road near Vandenberg Village will result in a detour for travelers on March 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Caltrans said northbound traffic will not be able to enter Santa Lucia Canyon Road from State Route 1. Traffic will be detoured to Timber Lane, where drivers can turn around and head south on State Route 1 back to Santa Lucia Canyon Road. Travelers leaving Santa Lucia Canyon Road will not be able to enter northbound State Route 1. Traffic will be detoured to Constellation Road to re-enter northbound highway 1. Message and directional signs will be in place to alert travelers in the area.

— Katherine Zehnder

Man charged with electronic peeping

Santa Barbara County District Attorney

John T. Savrnoch announced Wednesday that Justin Obinna Asinobi, 22, has been charged with 26 counts of Unlawful Electronic Peeping, a misdemeanor.

Counts 1 through 12 pertain to identified victims, and Counts 13 through 26 pertain to unidentified victims, prosecutors said.

The defendant appeared in Superior Court on Wednesday before Judge Raimundo Montes de Oca.

Bail was set at $200,000, and the defendant was ordered not to have any contact with the victims, stay out of Isla Vista and be subject to GPS monitoring.

The court continued his arraignment to Friday in Department 8 of Santa Barbara County Superior Court.

— Neil Hartstein

Gregory Popovich, a fourthgeneration circus performer born in Ukraine. In addition to presenting the animals, Mr. Popovich will perform juggling feats.

Comedy Pet Theatre has been in residency since 2006 at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Tickets cost $10 to $40. To purchase, go to www.eventbrite. com/e/popovich-comedy-pettheatre-santa-barbara-ca-tickets496580976067.

More about Comedy Pet Theatre will appear in Friday’s NewsPress.

— Dave Mason