An unidentified man, found nearly drowned in a Westside apartment complex swimming pool on 6/22, died at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital this week. He had been skinny-dipping as a part of a Solstice party with complex residents, who found the man at the bottom of the pool and attempted to revive him. After being received at Cottage Hospital, he was taken off life support. The partyers who lived at the complex have since been served eviction notices. (/solsticedeath)

A married couple, Bradley Stark, 33, and Pamela Stark, 41, were arrested on 6/13 by Santa Barbara County District Attorney investigators for allegedly passing fake checks, checks with non-sufficient funds, and falsely stating their financial condition in hopes of purchasing a $4.4 million Montecito home. The District Attorney’s office alleges that West Beach Inn, the Encina Lodge, the Santa Barbara Surgery Center, and Bishop Garcia Diego High School are all victims of the Starks.

Police arrested 24-year-old Justin Moore on 6/22 after he allegedly broke into Fashion Optical at 1433 State Street. Special Enforcement Team officers arrived, accompanied by police dog Brag, to set up a perimeter and trap Moore. Brag soon found Moore inside the building. Although Moore chose to fight with the dog, Brag pulled Moore from his hiding place and out to officers, who arrested him on burglary charges.

A 14-year-old boy sustained “non-life-threatening injuries” after being hit by an SUV while walking near the intersection of Cabrillo Boulevard and Garden Street on 6/21. Witnesses tailed the suspected driver and flagged officers on the 500 block of State Street. Police eventually apprehended the driver, identified him as 31-year-old Juan Morales Velasquez, and arrested him for a felony hit-and-run, DUI, driving on a suspended license, and child endangerment.

A 16-year-old San Francisco resident is recovering from second- and third-degree burns at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital after being pulled unconscious from an RV that burst into flames along northbound Highway 101 on 6/20. Peter Delira, the victim, was revived at the scene by the vehicle’s driver, 76-year-old Lompoc resident Kenneth Steinbach, and a CHP officer who administered CPR. The fire’s cause is being investigated. (/vehiclefire)

Concerns about the possible presence of PCBs-toxic substances used as insulators in some electrical transformers-prompted firefighters to advise El Encanto Heights residents to either evacuate or cope with sweltering evening heat and keep their windows closed as a result of a transformer fire on the evening of 6/21. At least two hours passed before Southern California Edison officials could shut off electricity, allowing firefighters to extinguish the blaze. (/transformerfire)

Two new laws regarding cell phones go into effect on 7/1. The first law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld phone while operating a motor vehicle. The second law prohibits drivers under 18 from using even a hands-free device while operating a vehicle. The law permits drivers to make calls during emergencies, however. First offenses incur a $20 penalty. Subsequent ones cost $50.

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