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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023

Repairs in progress for Doctor evaluating mental competency of Alameda Park Bandstand defendant in arson case By NEIL HARTSTEIN

NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

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Police to enforce hands-free phone law April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Santa Barbara Police Department will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law. “Holding your phone and using it while driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal,” Officer Anthony Tornello said. According to the 2022 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 72% of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern. In 2021, the California Highway Patrol issued nearly 56,000 citations for distracted driving.

mission involves space vehicles that will serve as part of the agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. That’s a new layered network of satellites and supporting elements that will provide for global military communication and missile warning, indication and tracking capabilities, according to SpaceX. After the launch’s stage separation, the first stage booster will land on Landing Zone 4. — Dave Mason

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record. If you have an important phone call, text or email or are in a situation with other distractions, pull over to a safe parking spot, police said. Other distractions can be eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor, putting on or taking off clothing, or talking with passengers. Children in the back seat can also be a distraction. — Neil Hartstein

GOP lawmakers launch investigation of New York DA TRUMP

Continued from Page A1 sparked criticism from those who said he was asking for another event akin to the Jan 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Mr. Trump also faces investigations into whether he incited those riots, as well as a probe in Georgia over allegations he attempted to overturn the 2020 election results, among others. In his Thursday evening statement, Mr. Trump also took aim at New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who secured the indictment, as well as President Joe Biden. “Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who was hand-picked and funded by (billionaire Democratic donor) George Soros, is a disgrace,” he said. “Rather than stopping the unprecedented crime wave taking over New York City, he’s doing Joe Biden’s dirty work, ignoring the murders and burglaries and assaults he should be focused on. This is how Bragg spends his time! I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden.” U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said that District Attorney Bragg

was “funded by 1 million dollars from Soros” and has a “political vendetta against President Trump.” “Being from New York we know that Alvin Bragg is ultimately the most radical District Attorney you can get,” she wrote on Twitter. Mr. Bragg will have the power to decide whether to arrest and prosecute Trump now that he has the indictment. Legal experts have cast doubt on whether there really is a strong enough case against the former president. U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has already joined other Republican lawmakers in launching an investigation into District Attorney Bragg, who has taken fire for releasing violent criminals into the city. “Was the Manhattan D.A.’s office in communication with DOJ about their investigation of President Trump?” Rep. Jordan said. “Was the Manhattan DA’s office using federal funds to investigate President Trump? Alvin Bragg owes our committee answers.” Casey Harper works at The Center Square’s Washington, D.C., bureau.

UCSB’S Masjuan earns first Player of the Week award By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

After defeating ranked opponents in both doubles and singles against Cal on Sunday, UCSB’s Pablo Masjuan has been named Big West Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, the conference announced on Wednesday. It is the first time Masjuan has received the conference’s weekly honor. The junior from Madrid was pivotal in his team’s victory over the then-No. 28 Golden Bears on Sunday, winning on court two in both doubles and singles. Masjuan and Luka Mrsic teamed up to take down the No. 64 doubles partnership in the nation, 6-4, clinching the doubles point for the Gauchos. After dropping the first set in singles,

Masjuan came back and won the next two, each by a 6-2 scoreline, to defeat the nation’s 120th ranked player and put UCSB back in the lead of the overall match. The Gauchos would go on to defeat Cal, 4-3, never trailing on the day. Masjuan is the second Gaucho to be named Men’s Tennis Player of the Week this season, with Phillip Jordan receiving the award twice in 2023. UCSB will return to the Arnhold Tennis Center on Tuesday for a Big West match against UC Riverside at 2 p.m. Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

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John Wick: Chap 4* (R): Fri-Sun: 1:45, 3:00 5:30, 6:45, 9:15. Mon-Thur: 1:45, 4:15, 5:30, 8:00. Creed III (PG13): Fri-Thur: 2:30, 5:20, 8:15. Cocaine Bear (R): Fri, Wed: 3:15, 5:40, 8:05. Sat: 12:45, 3:15, 5:40, 8:05. Sun: 12:45, 8:05. Mon/Tue, Thur: 1:50, 8:05. MET Opera Falstaff (NR): Sat: 9:30. The Journey w/Andrea Bocelli (NR): Sun-Tue, Thur: 4:00.

SpaceX has delayed the launch originally planned for Thursday at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Falcon 9 rocket was rescheduled to take off at 7:29 a.m. today rom Space Launch Complex 4E. The launch will bring the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mission to low-Earth orbit. The

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A court-appointed doctor has not completed his mental competency evaluation of a Nipomo man charged with arson for allegedly setting a fire inside a Santa Maria courtroom, prosecutors said Thursday. Eric Wolfgang Spies, 31, was scheduled to appear in court Thursday to set a date for a competency determination hearing, but that did not happen, Deputy District Attorney Austin Ingalls told the News-Press. “Dr. Witta was unable to complete his report by today’s court date and asked for some additional time to complete his competency evaluation,” the prosecutor said. “The next court date is scheduled for 04/20/2023.” The issue arose earlier this month when Mr. Spies’ attorney voiced doubt about his client’s legal competence, putting the criminal proceedings against him on indefinite hold. Mr. Spies’ case is being heard in San Luis Obispo because a Santa Barbara judge, without specifying why, declared it would be a conflict of interest for a Santa Barbara County judge to preside over his criminal case. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of arson and second-degree commercial burglary in connection with the Feb. 18 incident, in which he allegedly broke into the Santa Maria courtroom and set a fire, triggering the sprinkler system.

After weeks of weather delays, repairs are under way at the Alameda Park Bandstand, one of Santa Barbara’s oldest public entertainment venues. Last restored in 1981, the designated city landmark was built in 1888, after residents petitioned for its creation. The project, led by the Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department, will allow the landmark to return to community use as a place for free public concerts, just as it did 135 years ago. “There is nothing better than seeing a historic structure being used and loved,” said Nicole Hernandez, the city of Santa Barbara’s architectural historian. “The bandstand, with all its intricate details, is a beautiful and unique structure, and this project will let the space be a part of the modern era while connecting people with the past.” The repair project includes the replacement of the

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Court officials said the combination of flames and water caused extensive damage to furniture, wall paneling, cabinetry, carpeting and court records. They estimated the cost to be about $750,000. Mr. Spies allegedly went to the Santa Maria court complex, ignored a security guard’s order to leave and broke two glass doors to gain entry into the criminal court building. Once inside, he allegedly forced his way into a courtroom, pulling the doors so hard that he broke the wood frames on the top of the doors. Court officials allege he then started a fire on the defense counsel’s chair, which spread to the table and carpet. The fire was so hot that it melted the lights in the ceiling and caused the sprinklers to come on, court officials said. The defendant reportedly told the security guard he had received a notice about an upcoming hearing on a misdemeanor vandalism case and went to the court complex to see where he had to show up. Mr. Spies asked the court at his arraignment to release him on a pretrial supervised release, but prosecutors objected based on public safety concerns. The court denied his request for release. He remains in custody at the Main Jail in Santa Barbara on no bail, a jail spokesman said Thursday.

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structure’s roof, ceiling and floor, and repairs to stair treads and guardrails. Seismic and waterproofing improvements will also be made to extend the longevity of the repairs. The bandstand will be repainted to match the existing colors once structural repairs are complete. No changes will be made to the structure’s unique folk Victorian craftsmanship and architectural details. The project is funded by a $216,118 Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and $110,979 from the city’s general fund. Repairs are expected to be completed this spring, pending weather conditions. More information about the project can be found at santabarbaraca.gov/ bandstandrepair. Efforts to restore another historic outdoor venue, the Band Shell at Plaza del Mar, are expected to begin later this year.

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