🌱 Deputies Arrest Men After Multiple Car Chases + Chemical Waste Fire

Good morning, Santa Barbara! I'm Rose Mendez and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here is everything you need to know today in five minutes or less.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Partly sunny and cool. High: 61 Low: 42.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and cool. High: 62 Low: 50.

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Here are the top three stories today in Santa Barbara:

1. Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies arrested 27-year-old Nathaniel Santiago Reyes of El Monte and 32-year-old Bryan Arciniega of Los Angeles for allegedly stealing two catalytic converters and leading officers on multiple car chases. Both suspects are currently at the Main Jail facing multiple felony charges including vandalism, attempt to commit grand theft, and possession of burglary tools. (KSBY)
2. Santa Barbara County and Santa Barbara City firefighter hazardous materials teams responded to a chemical waste fire at UC Santa Barbara on Monday morning, Mar. 6. The county fire department said the fire was in a chemical waste storage container and there were no injuries. (edhat Santa Barbara)
3. CommUnify, a nonprofit organization, is launching a new water assistance program to help low-income families in Santa Barbara County. Residents can apply for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which offers a one-time payment for the applicant’s wastewater bill. Call 2-1-1 or apply online and fill out a LIHWAP screening form available in English or Spanish. (News Channel 12-3-11)

Today and tomorrow in Santa Barbara:

Wednesday, March 8

• Comedy Night In The Funk Zone At Validation Ale (7:00 PM)

Thursday, March 9

• The Flaming Lips At Arlington Theatre (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Monday, Mar. 6, student activists from UC Santa Barbara rallied in Sacramento to lobby for a 30 percent increase in California’s marine protected areas by 2030. (Santa Barbara Independent)
• Last week, the Santa Barbara City Council unanimously voted to designate the State Street Parkway as a historic landmark. The parkway spans the center median of downtown Santa Barbara’s main street from Mission Street to Constance Avenue. Click here to learn more about the parkway. (Santa Barbara Independent via Twitter)
• HVI Cat Canyon, an oil company in Santa Barbara County, has a long history of compliance issues in the county and was recently fined more than $60 million. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled that HVI Cat Canyon was liable for gross negligence. (KCLU)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with your next update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!