Janene Scully

North County Editor at Noozhawk

Wrangler of words as North County editor for http://t.co/NyUokgWDn3

Articles

Superior Court Judge to Resign Amid Misconduct Allegations

6 days ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Michael Carrozzo has agreed to resign and accept a severe public censure amid allegations of misconduct, according to a state agency overseeing judicial conduct. After initiating formal proceedings against Carrozzo, the California Commission on Judicial Performance last week approved the stipulation for discipline by consent, essentially a plea deal. The state agency announced the resolution of the case Thursday. Carrozzo agreed to resign effective Sept.
Motorcyclist Killed in Crash with Bus in Santa Maria

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

A motorcyclist died after colliding with an agricultural bus in Santa Maria on Wednesday morning. At approximately 11:15 a.m., first responders were sent to the onramp to northbound Highway 101 at East Main Street and Nicholson Avenue, police Lt. Nathan Totorica said. The motorcycle was traveling west on East Main Street, preparing to make a northbound turn onto the freeway.
Minotaur IV Rocket Blasts Off from Vandenberg SFB

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

Bringing back launches to a dormant site, a Minotaur IV rocket returned to Vandenberg Space Force Base on Wednesday afternoon to deliver clandestine cargo to into orbit for the nation’s spy satellite agency. The four-stage Northrop Grumman Corp. rocket blasted off at 12:33 p.m. from Space Launch Complex-8, which last saw a rocket lift off that South Base 14 years ago.
Fire Damages Lassens Store in Santa Maria

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

A two-alarm fire caused significant damage to the longtime home of the Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins store in Santa Maria. At approximately 11:44 p.m. Tuesday, personnel from all Santa Maria Fire Department stations across the city arrived at the business at 1790 S. Broadway in the Plum Tree Plaza. “It appears when the units got here the fire was all in the attic,” Fire Marshal Jim Austin said Wednesday morning.
Lompoc Police Arrest Man Accused of Sexual Relationship with Girl

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with an underage girl in Lompoc. In March, a parent contacted the Lompoc Police Department after she discovered her juvenile daughter’s inappropriate relationship. Through their investigation, detectives discovered that a man met and groomed the juvenile via social media before they engaged in sexual relations, police said.
Vandenberg SFB’s Next Mission: Minotaur IV Launch on Wednesday | Local News | Noozhawk

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

What: Minotaur IV rocket by Northrop Grumman Corp. The vehicle employs three government-furnished solid rocket motors from decommissioned Peacekeeper ICBMs plus a commercial solid-rocket upper stage. The vehicle can carry payloads up to 3,814 pounds to low-Earth orbit. When: No earlier than 12:33 p.m. Wednesday.
Interim Leader Picked as Pioneer Valley High School's Next Principal

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

The man who had filled in as interim principal at Pioneer Valley High School will become the next leader at the campus. Paul Robinson’s selection as the third principal of the campus in northeast Santa Maria will be approved at the next meeting for the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Robinson into his new role and look forward to his continued service and leadership at PVHS,’’ said Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Kevin Platt.
SpaceX Rocket Rumbles to Deliver NRO Payload from VSFB

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

Loudly rattling windows to provide an early morning wakeup call, as the first of three National Reconnaissance Office missions planned in a week blasted off early Saturday morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The SpaceX rocket rumbled away from Santa Barbara County at 5:25 a.m. Saturday, and the first-stage booster successfully touched down on the droneship about eight minutes later for its 24th launch and landing.
Inmate Returns to Santa Maria to Face New Charges in Killing

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

A state prison inmate has returned to Santa Barbara County to face new charges in a 2021 homicide in Santa Maria. Jaime Cid, 53, has been charged in Santa Barbara County Superior Court with murder and a sentencing enhancement for personal use of a knife during the killing. The criminal complaint also alleges that Cid has two prior felony strike convictions under California’s three-strikes sentencing law. The charges stem from the stabbing death of Raymond Earl Smith on March 9, 2021.
Judge Orders Man to Stand Trial in Death of Guadalupe Woman

1 week ago | noozhawk.com | Janene Scully

A San Diego County Superior Court judge ordered a former Santa Maria man to stand trial for charges related to the death of a Guadalupe woman two years ago. German Armando LaraSalazar, 46, has been charged with one count of murder and a special allegation or sentencing enhancement. Leyva Elizabeth Oregel Garcia, 32, of Guadalupe died in what San Diego police labeled a homicide after she went missing during the summer of 2023. Family referred to LaraSalazar as her ex-husband.