ROADS MORE TRAVELED

Despite increased congestion levels on Highway 101, public
perception is that auto mobility has improved in the county,
according to results of a county-sponsored survey released earlier
this month. County transportation staff offered two hypotheses to
explain the results: One is that a significant portion of
respondents may have recently arrived from more congested areas;
the other is that better timing at on-ramps and prompt clearance of
debris has reduced driver frustration.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted to make two
vehicular improvements to the county Sheriff’s Department. A
welcome replacement for the department’s aging armored vehicle, the
Ballistic Engineered Armored Response, or BEAR, vehicle – valued at
$362,364 – will be donated by Santa Barbara County Search and
Rescue. The board also accepted a $950,000 donation from the
Sheriff’s Council for the refurbishment of a UH-1H Huey helicopter,
used in rescue missions.