Santa Barbara News-Press: July 21, 2023

Getting ready for a new season

UCSB men’s soccer announces 2023 schedule - A2

Our 167th Year

Explaining the AMR/County Fire ambulance s tory

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

A multi-million dollar county ambulance supplier bid has been surrounded by controversy for the last year – what do we know?

An ongoing contract bid between long-time county ambulance provider AMR and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department has taken a number of controversial turns in recent months. What was originally an exclusive AMR permit was then made into a nonexclusive deal.

Along with the questions around the bid is concern about the fire department’s request for proposal of a fleet of ambulances – before they had won the contract.

“They hired an independent expert to craft a request for proposal. AMR beat (the county fire department) by a considerable amount. County Fire and other departments then filed an appeal,” said Andy Caldwell, Executive Director of the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (COLAB) and a News-Press Columnist. “County Fire chiefs write a letter saying “throw out the request for

proposal, invalidate the bid process”... the county did exactly what they asked for. They eliminated the bid, threw out the whole thing, started from scratch. Now, that wall of separation between the Fire Department and county decision makers was blown.”

Mr. Caldwell argues that this is one half of the malpractice in the county ambulance case. The fire department lost the bid to AMR, as determined by an independent expert. The department appealed the decision, twice, and lost both times. The Board of Supervisors then took over and gave

themselves power over the ambulance permit.

The reasoning behind the Board’s decision is not entirely clear. The county argues it was because of an internal change in opinion around what they valued in the bidding process.

“The board of Supervisors ultimately made the decision to not do an exclusive contract. They just weren’t happy with how the RFP process turned out,” county Communications Manager Kelsey Buttitta told the News-Press. “They felt the RFP didn’t properly address their top concerns. When they relooked at the RFP

s tudent leaders tapped for internships

Four students from SB, SLO, Ventura counties selected for Bank of America program

they said ‘this is more valuable to us.’”

Whether the decision to change the process and go to a non-exclusive contract – which allowed the fire department to re-enter the bid – was truly influenced by the fire department itself is still unclear.

The second part of this dispute is about the premature purchase of ambulances – 35 of them – by the fire department.

“The most scandalous part of this – we discovered in late 2022, maybe even mid2022, while AMR was still the winner, and County Fire was still losing, County Fire

Please see AMBULANCES on A4

Los Angeles County to suspend cash bail

By KENNETH SCHRUPP THE CENTER SQUARE

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Four high school students and graduates were selected from Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties to participate in an eightweek paid internship through a Bank of America program.

The internship program aims to develop the students’ leadership and workforce skills. The internships take place at Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast and Habitat for Humanity, with a pay of $17 an hour.

“One of the biggest things I want to

learn is how to problem-solve and how the non-profit industry is structured.

All the networks and how they operate,” said one of the students, Carlos Gonzales.

Mr. Gonzales graduated last year from Ernest Righetti High School in Santa Maria. Already a few weeks into the program, he said it had been a great experience.

“This program helps set that mode and that kind of knowledge of what it is to become a leader,” said Mr. Gonzales.

“Throughout this internship I’ve learned so much on how to become a leader and really figure out my future endeavors.”

Mr. Gonzales has become heavily involved in work around his community in Santa Maria. Last school year he helped create a scholarship program for Latino students at his high school to go towards college, which was awarded to two people.

“I’m really passionate about helping out the Latinx community,” said Mr. Gonzales. “This year I proposed this scholarship idea to the Latinos Unidos group, and it took a little convincing, but they approved it.”

Like the other students awarded the Tri-County scholarship, Mr. Gonzales has had to do a lot of work on his own

end to get to where he plans to go. He also makes it clear that, more than anyone, his mom has been a crucial person to his success.

“She’s the person who shaped me and raised me to be the person who I am today. She immigrated here from Mexico and she had nothing,” said Mr. Gonzales.

The four students will wrap their internships up in the next few weeks before moving onto their next challenge.

As for Mr. Gonzales, he plans to attend UC Berkeley this Fall.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

After a May injunction suspending cash bail for two months for those accused of non-violent crimes in Los Angeles County due to “dismal” pre-trial detention conditions, the county has moved forward with ending cash bail for most crimes beginning on Oct. 1. Assault, stalking, domestic battery and violation of a protective order will still require cash bail, while human trafficking, battery on a peace officer and sex with a minor will trigger judicial review.

(The Center Square) –

“Any determination of an arrestee’s status after arrest but before being charged should be based on an individualized determination of risk and likelihood to return to court,” said L.A. County Presiding Judge Samantha Jessner. “A low-risk arrestee should not be held in jail simply because they cannot post the necessary funds to be released pending arraignment.”

Immediate past L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva shared his disagreement with the decision, noting the probation department already lacks the staff it needs to complete its regular duties, and that adding supervision of zero-bail alleged criminals would completely destroy the department’s ability to function.

To combat the potential that individuals will use this policy to commit more crimes, defendants who are out on either parole or free before their trials are caught committing crimes will go before judges instead of being automatically released without bail again. According to Sheriff Villaneuva, a lack of real-time data shared across the county’s over 50 law enforcement departments means this is impossible and would increase crime.

“You can get arrested in Pomona for a felony, you’re caught and released, cited out, and get arrested in Pacoima, and you’d be out again, because there’s no method of knowing who has been cited where.”

While the Superior Court of Los Angeles County used a study finding eliminating pre-trial detention decreases rearrests for misdemeanors by 5.8% and felonies by 2.8% to justify its decision, data from other counties suggests this finding is highly unlikely. According to the Yolo County District Attorney, while zero-bail policies were in effect from April 2020 through June 1, 2021, 71% of those arrested were rearrested during that time frame, while 29% of those rearrested were arrested for violent crimes.

COURTESY PHOTO

Ernest Righetti High School graduate Carlos Gonzalez, center with mic, is one of four students selected to benefit from an internship with a local non-profit.

UCSB men’s soccer announces 2023 schedule

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The UCSB men’s soccer team announced its full 2023 schedule on Thursday. The 18-game season will be Head Coach Tim Vom Steeg’s 25th leading the Gauchos, as UCSB looks to claim an eighth Big West Championship and return to the national postseason.

“The goal of your season is to make the NCAA Tournament,” Vom Steeg said. “So, all the games that lead up to that are to prepare you for conference play, and then conference play into postseason play.”

Before the regular season begins, UCSB will host a pair of pre-season exhibitions at Harder Stadium. Action begins on August 13 with Gauchos welcoming Loyola Marymount to town and continues on August 20 with UCSB and Westmont facing off in the annual Community Shield Game. Like all home matches this season, both exhibitions will kick off at 7 p.m.

The Gauchos will then start the regular season with non-conference play, featuring tough road tests and a collection of exciting home contests.

“We have a couple really difficult places to play on the road, Grand Canyon and Portland,” Vom Steeg said. “And we have games at home that I think will be very entertaining.”

The regular season begins at home, with the Gauchos hosting Oral Roberts on August 25 and Pacific on August 28. As part of their community outreach program, UCSB men’s soccer will welcome local faith groups to Harder Stadium for Faith Night during their season opener and will host a Frontline Workers Night during the game against Pacific.

September brings those two tough road trips, with the Gauchos heading north to face Portland, who finished as the No. 10 team in the country last season, on the first of the month. UCSB will then head to Phoenix on September 12 to meet Grand Canyon. The Gauchos make their final non-conference road

Newsom announces free immigration services for undocumented farmworkers

By KENNETH SCHRUPP THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Amid a statewide labor shortage, Gov. Newsom announced a $4.5 million pilot program to provide free immigration-related legal services for undocumented farmworkers involved in state labor investigations. This nocost new service will include case review services, legal advice and representation by an attorney.

With the state estimating half of California farmworkers are undocumented, the governor’s office reported farmworkers fear getting fired by reporting illegal working conditions or providing information as witnesses.

“Farmworkers are the backbone of our economy and we won’t stand by as bad actors use the threat of deportation as a form of exploitation,” Gov. Newsom said.

However, just as there are concerns that the current system allows for the exploitation of workers, others fear the state is going too far in the opposite direction.

“It’s going to encourage increased illegal immigration, which must be stopped. It’s going to increase potentially frivolous lawsuits being brought against small businesses and farmers in this state, and that is the last thing they need to deal with,” said Eric Early, the leading Republican contender for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Democrat Dianne Feinstein. “They’re already under too much regulatory pressure, which is causing business and farmers to go out of business all too often.”

This measure goes hand-in-hand with a Biden administration policy to defer immigration action against individuals who are victims or witnesses to labor rights violations.

California has announced it would coordinate with the Biden administration on this measure to “aid non citizen workers” through this program.

California has sponsored cost-free immigration legal services by allocating funding to qualifying nonprofit organizations since 2015. According to the governor, the pilot program is funded by existing state resources and is expected to begin later this year.

trip on September 19, taking on California Baptist in Riverside. Between those road trips, UCSB will host four non-conference matches in September, beginning with UNLV on September 4 for First Responders Night. The Gauchos will follow that by hosting Utah Valley on September 9 and will hold an AYSO Banner Parade during the game. UCSB will host Kansas City for Hispanic Heritage Night on September 16 and round out their non-conference schedule on September 23 by hosting Cal Poly. That BlueGreen Rivalry game will also be Alumni Night at Harder Stadium.

The Big West season begins on September 27 for the Gauchos, as they head south to La Jolla and take on UC San Diego, beginning their quest for the conference title.

“I think the conference this year will continue to rebound and continue to be better than it was last year,” Vom Steeg said, looking at this year’s Big West opposition. “Consequently, it will be a conference that hopefully will be able to put two or three teams into the NCAA Tournament.”

The Gauchos wrap up September with a rematch of last season’s Big West Semifinal, welcoming UC Irvine to Harder Stadium on September 30. That game will be Santa Barbara Soccer Club and Central Coast Academy Club Night. UCSB heads north to take on UC Davis on October 4 before returning to Harder Stadium for two of their final three home games.

The Gauchos will host defending Big West Champions UC Riverside on October 7 for Elementary School Night and CSU Bakersfield on October 11 for Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night.

UCSB and Cal Poly will meet for the second time this season on October 15 in San Luis Obispo before the Gauchos play their home finale on October 18 against Sacramento State. The game against the Hornets will be UCSB’s Senior Night, as the Gauchos’ final two games of the regular season are on the road, at CSUN on October 21 and at Cal State Fullerton on October 28.

The Big West Championships begin with the quarterfinal round on November 1, with the semifinal round set for November 4. The Big West Championship will be played on November 11. The quarterfinals will be hosted by the higher seed in each matchup, while the semifinals and championship will be hosted by the regular-season champion and No. 1 overall seed.

This season, UCSB soccer is selling one season ticket for all of the men’s and women’s games. This gives fans the chance to catch all of the excitement for both of our teams in the race for a Big West Championship. These tickets will go on sale Wednesday, July 26.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

Democratic lawmakers: Expand health information protections

By RIA JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Three congress members from west coast states led fellow legislators in requesting that Americans’ protected health information, or PHI, be afforded the same federal privacy protections that emails and location data enjoy.

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., and U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., issued a letter to the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to go further to protect Americans’ constitutional rights and personal privacy, by expanding regulations in its proposed update of federal privacy regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The joint July 18th letter to the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services, Xavier Becerra, stated, “On April 12, 2023, HHS issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to provide additional protections when law enforcement agencies demand Americans’ medical information from doctors and other healthcare providers…. HHS should significantly expand the protections in the HIPAA regulations so that all PHI is afforded the same protections as location data and the contents of phone calls, emails and text messages.”

The partisan letter, signed by dozens of Democrat congress members in both the Senate and House of Representatives, went on to make suggestions for three regulatory expansions.

Suggestions include:

• Changing a provision of the HIPAA Privacy Rule to require a search warrant signed by a judge for release of a patient’s PHI which can currently be obtained with a subpoena, administrative request, or a court order.

• A warrant secured for a PHI should be prohibited from sharing those records with other law enforcement agencies, except to further the particular investigation identified in the warrant application, and not for any other law enforcement action.

Health alert due to excessive heat

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has issued a Health Alert in response to the Excessive Heat Warning issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Santa Barbara County.

The alert began at 10 a.m. Thursday and is set to end at 10 a.m. today. An excessive heat watch remains in the Santa Ynez Valley and Cuyama from today at 10 a.m. through Saturday at 9 p.m.

The Public Health Department is urging residents to take the necessary safety measures to avoid heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Community members are strongly encouraged to take the following precautions whenever temperatures are on the rise:

• Take care of those who might not be aware of the danger or be able to react accordingly, especially the elderly, young children, and pets. Check on your neighbors.

• Wear appropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing works best.

• Drink plenty of cool, nonalcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If you have fluid restrictions from your doctor, ask to see how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

• Limit outdoor activity. Try to schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, like morning and evening hours. Be sure to wear sunscreen and rest often.

• Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room. A few hours in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Taking a cool shower or bath can help too.

• If you do not have air‐conditioning, consider arranging

to spend at least parts of the day at another space that is cool. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heatrelated illness.

• For those who work outside, be sure to take frequent rest breaks in a shaded area or airconditioned room, if possible. Stay hydrated and take action by moving to a cooler space if you feel signs of heat exhaustion.

• Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated, or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately.

• Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin. With heat stroke, the person often stops sweating and the skin will be unusually dry. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is life threatening!

• Do not leave children (and pets) unattended in vehicles. It only takes a matter of minutes on a relatively mild day for a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures. For more information about the excessive heat forecast, visit countyofsb.org/3940/Heat-EventJuly-2023.

- Liam Hibbert

• HHS should require providers to proactively notify patients about law enforcement disclosures, either at the time of the disclosure, or on a delayed basis if prompt notice would disrupt an active investigation.

“These changes are necessary in order to protect Americans from warrantless government surveillance,” the letter stated.

With the recent Supreme Court decision to let each state decide the issue of abortion, lawmakers are weary of Americans coming under scrutiny or even prosecution for breaking abortion bans, particularly in states with “trigger laws.”

“There are countless categories of medical records — including those related to treatment for reproductive health, mental health conditions, cancer, dementia, neurodegenerative diseases, urology, and hospice care — that Americans hold as deeply private,” the lawmakers said in the letter to Mr. Becerra. “Americans should be able to trust that the information they share in confidence with their doctors when seeking care will receive the highest protections under the law, regardless of the specific medical issue.”

The congress members also expressed a belief that the HHS Office of Civil Rights (OCR) should have greater Congressional investment to ensure that it has the bandwidth “to process and respond to HIPAA data breaches..”

Medical providers face the greatest risk for prosecution, a report by NPR indicated.

“Although doctors cannot be forced to testify about their patients’ medical conditions in courts across the country, patient records containing the same information can be subpoenaed by law enforcement agencies, without showing probable cause of a crime and without oversight by an independent judge. The ability of law enforcement agencies to subpoena these records undermines patients’ legal protections, particularly in an era of digital health records, where every patient interaction is carefully documented. HHS should ensure that Americans’ PHI receive the greatest degree of protection under federal law,” the legislators opined.

Federal government plans first Gulf of Mexico wind power lease sale for August

By VICTOR SKINNER THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

to generate about 3.7 gigawatts of wind energy, equating to enough power for 1.3 million homes, according to an Interior Department statement Thursday.

“The Gulf of Mexico is poised to play a key role in our nation’s transition to a clean energy future,” BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein said in a news release. “Today’s announcement follows years of engagement with government agencies, states, ocean users, and stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico region. We look forward to continued collaboration in the years to come.” The leases play into the Biden administration’s goals of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and reaching a carbon-free

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The Public Health Department is urging residents to take the necessary safety measures to avoid heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

As part of their community outreach program, UCSB men’s soccer will welcome local faith groups to Harder Stadium for Faith Night during their season opener and will host a Frontline Workers Night during the game against Pacific.

IRS whistleblower: Biden family, associates received $17 million from foreign entities

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Companies connected to the Biden family and their business associates received about $17 million, more than previously reported, from several foreign entities, an IRS whistleblower testified before Congress Wednesday.

The revelation came as Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler, two IRS employees with a combined 27 experience years at the agency, testified before Congress about Hunter Biden’s alleged tax crimes.

Mr. Ziegler responded to questions from House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., laying out about $17 million in alleged payments from 2014 to 2019 to roughly 20 shell companies from Romanian, Chinese and foreign other entities.

“The purpose of documenting the foreign sources is as part of a normal international tax investigation, we have to figure out where the money is coming from,” Mr. Ziegler said.

Rep. Comer argues those shell companies were used to funnel money from overseas as part of a “bribery scheme.”

“After foreign companies sent money to business associates’ companies, the Bidens then received incremental payments over time to different bank accounts,” Rep. Comer said at the hearing. “These complicated financial transactions were used deliberately to conceal

as Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and Criminal Investigator

the source of the funds and total amounts.”

Both Mr. Ziegler and Agent Shapley told lawmakers that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment during the investigation and that the Department of Justice interfered in favor of the president and his son.

The president has repeatedly denied claims about financial wrongdoing in regards to international payments to his family or connected associates.

Agent Shapley also said the case was intentionally slowed down and mismanaged as political appointees interfered.

As The Center Square previously reported, court documents released in June show Hunter Biden, who pleaded guilty to two federal misdemeanor tax-related charges, also faced a charge related to possessing a gun while being a drug user. That firearm charge,

Republicans blast gas stove regulation at hearing, say it is just the beginning

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – House Republicans blasted a recently proposed federal regulatory effort to largely ban gas stove use for Americans at a hearing Tuesday and argued more rules of this kind are on the horizon.

House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs

Chairman Pat Fallon, R-Texas, led the hearing, calling the Department of Energy’s proposed gas stove rule the latest in a “tidal wave of regulatory burdens affecting Americans’ daily lives.”

“There are other rulemakings under consideration for dishwashers, refrigerators, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, and other household appliances under the guise of improving energy efficiency as proscribed by the Environmental Policy and Conservation Act, or ‘EPCA,’” he said. “The gas stove rule, in particular, presents alarming violations of EPCA and erroneous analysis according to the experts who testified in place of invited Department officials.”

“In doing so, the Department and Democrats appear to be endorsing ‘sue-and-settle-type’ practices of radical activist litigants,” Rep. Fallon added, referring to the practice by which federal regulators have expedited rule changes by inviting litigants to challenge regulations so they can negotiate an arrangement out of court that changes how the agency handles the issue.

As The Center Square previously reported, progressive activists have pointed to the environmental impact of methane released from gas stoves as well as research suggesting gas stoves could

Progressive activists have pointed to the environmental impact of methane released from gas stoves as well as research suggesting gas stoves could cause health issues like asthma.

cause health issues like asthma.

A Harvard CAPS Harris survey from June reports that 69% of those surveyed opposed a gas stove ban.

After the hearing, the House Oversight Committee’s Republican staff released a document laying out the broad impact of the proposed rule.

“Estimated conversion costs associated with complying with new and amended standards for gas stoves exceeds $183 million. This would substantially impact consumer choice while requiring households to adapt to new infrastructure with costly consequences,” the staff said. “DOE’s own estimates project 96 percent of existing products on the market would be noncompliant if the proposed rule is finalized.”

Republicans also raised concerns about the origin of this regulatory effort.

“I’d respond by pointing out that many of the false and misleading studies that have been cited by this administration to support banning gas stoves were authored and paid for by radical environmental extremists and activists with an agenda to ban fossil fuels entirely,” Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., said at the hearing.

though, is now subject to a pretrial diversion agreement, meaning Hunter Biden’s lawyers struck a deal and that it is unlikely that Hunter Biden will receive time in prison for the gun charge.

Rep. Comer said the committee has gathered thousands of pages of financial records for its investigation, including bank records for the Biden family and their associates as well as “suspicious activity reports” compiled by Treasury officials.

“A lot of this money poured in while Joe Biden was Vice President,” Rep. Comer said at the hearing. “Despite creating many companies after Vice President Biden took office, the Biden family used business associates’ companies to receive millions of dollars from foreign companies in China, Ukraine, and Romania.”

Most panels built on southern border missing key features, report finds

By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated $10.7 billion to build barriers along the nation’s 2,000mile southern border while President Donald Trump was in office, but most of the barriers lack key features such as lighting, cameras and access roads for patrols, according to a new report.

A U.S. Government Accountability Office report found the Corps obligated $10.7 billion to support the border barrier efforts from fiscal years 2018 through 2020, almost all for construction contracts. More than 70% of the funds for construction contracts were Department of Defense funds made available after Mr. Trump’s 2019 National Emergency Declaration.

During that time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded 39 construction contracts, primarily DOD-funded, to build more than 600 miles of border barriers.

About 32% of the miles to be built under these contracts were new barriers in areas where no barriers had previously existed. The remaining 68% of the miles were to replace existing barriers.

When President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he paused all of the border contracts he was able to by law. At that point, the Corps reported it had completed about 450 miles of barriers. Most were incomplete.

Less than 69 miles, or about 15%, were for completed barrier systems, according to the report.

Since then, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security updated a plan for use of border barrier funds. Homeland Security intends to use its funding to continue addressing safety hazards, identify actions to address environmental damage from past barrier construction and

Push toward wind energy must overcome problems

WIND

Continued from Page A2

electricity sector by 2035. Louisiana has its own wind power generation goal of 5 gigawatts by 2035.

The lease sale announced Thursday follows the third commercial-scale offshore wind energy project approved by BOEM for an area 13 miles southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey earlier this month. Others are ongoing in the Atlantic Ocean offshore from Massachusetts, and New York and Rhode Island.

Legislation reintroduced by Louisiana Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy in February would ensure states get a cut of offshore wind lease revenues beyond state waters, which are currently required to be deposited in the U.S. Treasury. The Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act would send 37.5% of offshore wind revenue to states adjacent to where wind farms are developed, while also eliminating state revenue sharing caps in the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act and Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Louisiana constitutionally dedicates revenues from offshore energy production to pay for conservation, restoration, and environmental projects to preserve

and restore its coastline.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources is reviewing at least five proposed near-shore wind energy projects in state waters within three nautical miles of shore. They include areas near Cameron, St. Mary, and Vermillion parishes.

The push toward wind energy, however, faces an array of major problems, from supply chain issues to surging costs to permitting delays, industry experts said at a conference in Boston last week.

The concerns follow reports earlier this year that showed meeting the government wind energy goals would require billions in spending on transmission infrastructure and extensive cooperation between government and grid operators.

One report, by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, calls for a $22.4 billion buildup of the supply chain for wind energy to reduce reliance on components from Europe, while the other from the Brattle Group consulting firm cites the need for significant transmission upgrades and better planning for connections with the current system.

“Any planning steps taken today are unlikely to yield significant new transmission infrastructure until the early 2030s,” according to the Brattle Group report.

install lighting and technology such as cameras, according to the report.

Some Corps contracts didn’t go through a competitive bidding process. Four valued at more than $4 billion were awarded without full and open competition, according to the report.

“We also found that [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers] structured many of its DOD-funded awards to prioritize the construction of barrier panels, rather than the full barrier system,” according to the report. “All 13 DOD-funded contracts were required to complete some or all of the barrier panel construction by the end of 2020-21. For example, in some cases, these contracts were awarded or modified to extend deadlines so that contractors could prioritize barrier panel construction, resulting in longer time frames to produce a complete barrier system.”

The revelation came

Joseph Ziegler, two IRS employees with a combined 27 experience years at the agency, testified before Congress about Hunter Biden’s alleged tax crimes.

Competing bids by AMR and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department to supply ambulance services are at the root of a controversy over the past year.

Santa Barbara County Fire placed order for ambulances while contract was still with AMR

AMBULANCES

Continued from Page A1

secretly ordered thirty five ambulances, worth $3.6 million,” claimed Mr. Caldwell. “They bought the ambulances, and we think they bought the ambulances

because they were completely sure they were winning.”

Santa Barbara County verified to the News-Press that they did in fact place a request to purchase the vehicles, way back in November 2021, when AMR had the contract.

“If they didn’t place the order they’d

be put back on the bottom of the list (to purchase ambulances) and it would be an additional two years to be able to purchase ambulances again,” said Ms. Buttitta. To account for the long wait time, they requested to buy them years ago so they could prove they would be able to handle the job with their own

fleet.

“If the vehicles ultimately did not go into use by fire, because there is such a shortage for others to receive ambulances, the ambulances could have been resold,” said Ms. Buttitta. She also explained how they have recently been resold for higher prices because of the

U.S. rep calls for more safeguards on how welfare money is spent

By KEVIN BESSLER

THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman is calling for more scrutiny on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The call follows a scandal in Mississippi where the Department of Human Services allowed wellconnected people to spend tens of millions of welfare dollars intended for needy families on other projects.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, RIllinois, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee on Work and Welfare, said fixing the TANF program should be a bipartisan effort.

“We should be able to work together to improve

accountability in this vital program,” Rep. LaHood said. “It’s time to reclaim TANF funds to ensure dollars are intentionally focused on removing barriers to work, reducing dependency and growing the capacity of individuals to realize their full potential.”

In Mississippi, former Human Services Director John Davis has pleaded guilty to charges tied to welfare misspending in one of the state’s largest public corruption cases.

The scandal has ensnared some

OAKESON, Pamela Sue (Hartsell)

Pamela Sue (Hartsell) Oakeson, 70, peacefully passed away on July 11th, 2023.

Pam was predeceased by her parents, as well as her brother Dale. She is survived by her children, Dan, Jaime, son-in-law Darrin, daughter-in-law Kim, grandchildren Nathan, Rebecca and Cora June, and great-grandchildren Roman and Boaz, siblings Gloria and Joe.

We will Celebrate Pam’s life on July 28th at the Waterloo Gazebo in Lebanon, Oregon beginning at 3pm.

MOZILO, Angelo Robert

Angelo Robert Mozilo was born December 16, 1938, in The Bronx, New York. He met his wife, Phyllis, when they were still teenagers. The two married in 1961, and shortly after, the young couple began a journey that brought them ������������������������������������������������������� California. They settled in Glendale, California, in 1969, ������������������������������������������������������� started his journey as a successful entrepreneur and industry leader.

Angelo had a long and storied career in the real estate and mortgage industry, which began in his 14th year. A

Angelo’s business success is well known, but it is not his only identity. Angelo and

��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Santa Barbara, joined the yacht club, and spent hours (more maintaining than sailing) �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Angelo spent countless weekends landscaping his front yard, resulting in neighborhood awards and recognitions. It was an incredible source of pride. Angelo’s generosity was ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� he became more successful, his ability and desire grew in tandem. May his generosity and good works be his legacy.

Mozilo and Pauline Mozilo Gentile, and his younger brother Ralph Mozilo. He is ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� sisters.

in Los Angeles.

high-profile figures, including former NFL quarterback Brett Farve, who allegedly secured $5 million for a volleyball court for his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi.

“Current TANF law lacks basic financial safeguards included in most other federal programs, making it easy for states to divert funds and increasing the risk of fraud and abuse,” Rep. LaHood said.

Those who do qualify in Mississippi get the lowest payments in the country,

according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Illinois’ TANF benefit, tied to 30% of poverty, has increased to $549 a month for a family of three.

Illinois has dealt with welfare fraud issues. The Chicago Public School District faced “persistent and widespread fraud” by highlypaid employees taking advantage of food stamp and statesubsidized health care benefits by underreporting their income, according to a 2022 annual report from the district’s Office of Inspector General.

PRISCILLA ANN SUSMAN

02/27/1956 - 07/01/2022

It has been a year since our sweet sister, Priscilla Ann Susman, peacefully left this world, with us by her side. Priscilla was 66 years old and had been the recipient of a single lung transplant in 2019. Because her immune system was so compromised by the anti-rejection medications she had to take, a virulent infection took ������������������������������������������������������������ Priscilla died at UCLA Hospital on July 01, 2022.

Priscilla was many things in her life. A daughter, a sister, ����������������������������������������������������������� a store owner, an animal lover, a beach goer (there was always a beach chair in the back of her car) a plant enthusiast and a voracious reader (she never went anywhere without a book). Priscilla was kind with a tender heart. She was a great listener with a great laugh and a free spirit with many dreams and wishes. Priscilla was resilient and overcame many hurdles in her life, which made her both strong and vulnerable. If you knew Priscilla, you knew this to be true.

Our dear sister died too young, and we miss her every day.

We are planning to have a memorial gathering for Priscilla. If you would like to attend, please contact Laura Susman Armor by phone or text @ 415-258-9484 to let us know.

shortage. The pictured 35 unlabeled vehicles are a result of this preparation to resale. This story is not yet complete, and more information is sure to come about in the coming months.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Illinois, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee on Work and Welfare, said fixing the TANF program should be a bipartisan effort.

Life theArts

Power of mariachi

Daughter uses special music to connect with her mother in PCPA production

CALENDAR

CALenDA r

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@newspress.com.

TODAY

By DAVE MASON

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Lucha Morales discovers that music is a powerful way to connect with her mother, Amalia Morales, who has dementia.

“When they play this 45 (rpm)

record, her memory seems to jump back, and she starts singing this song,” said Christen Celaya, who plays Lucha in PCPA’s production of “American Mariachi.”

And that inspires Lucha to recruit others to form a mariachi

FYI

PCPA is performing “American Mariachi” through July 29 at the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria and Aug. 4-27 at the Solvang Festival Theater. Robert Ramirez is the director, and Cynthia Reifler Flores is the music director.

In Santa Maria, the curtain rises at 7 p.m. Fridays, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Sunday and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday Tickets start at $25. To purchase, go to pcpa.org.

band to play the song — “Mi Rosa Como Ninguna,” which means “A Rose Like No Other” — for her mother.

That’s the story in playwright Jose Cruz Gonzalez’s “American Mariachi,” which PCPA is performing through July 29 at the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Additional PCPA performances are taking place Aug. 4-27 at the Solvang Festival Theater.

The story takes place in the 1970s with flashbacks to previous decades, and Ms. Celaya said the story is an emotional one.

“The thing I’m hearing that is surprising people is how quickly you go from laughing to crying,”

the Santa Maria actress told the News-Press this week. “It is both a comedy and a tearjerker.”

Not unlike a famous play that was adapted into a 1989 movie starring Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Sally Field and Shirley MacLaine.

“I think ‘Steel Magnolias’ is a really good comparison,” Ms. Celaya said. “We were making ‘Steel Magnolias’ jokes during rehearsals.”

Like “Steel Magnolias,” “American Mariachi” features scenes in a beauty salon.

But the playwright leaves it up to each theater company to decide on the geographical location for the story. Not surprisingly, PCPA

chose the Central Coast.

“For the Santa Maria and Central Coast natives, there are some Easter eggs for the audience find,” Ms. Celaya said, referring to decor and signs. “It’s very clearly set on the Central Coast.”

She added that the cast, including herself, is actually playing instruments live on stage as their characters learn to perform mariachi music. That has meant actors learning how to play mariachi instruments for the first time.

Ms. Celaya had an advantage in that regard. Her character plays the violin, and she learned to play that instrument when she first

Please see MARIACHI on B4

Lobero named world’s 11th most beautiful theater

Architectural Digest has named Lobero Theatre as the 11th most beautiful theater in the world.

The other ten remarkable venues in the publication’s top 11 theaters include Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, California), Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona, Spain), Palacio de Bellas Artes (Mexico City, Mexico), Opéra Garnier (Paris, France), Harbin Grand Theater (Harbin, China), Raj Mandir (Jaipur, India), Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia), Teatro di San Carlo (Naples, Italy), The Vienna State Opera (Vienna, Austria), and Steinmetz Hall (Orlando, Florida).

Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, the Santa Barbara theater at 33 E. Canon Perdido St. is in good company.

“Spanning styles and purpose, these stunning buildings prove it’s not just the performances hosted within that can be considered art,” wrote Katherine McLaughlin. “The theaters on this list are opera houses, concert halls, and even movie theaters. Nonetheless, they shine through

Please see LOBERO on B4

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily: The Sistine Chapel Art Exhibition runs through Sept. 4 at the Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $18 for children, and $22 for seniors, military and students. Each ticket also includes admission to the mission museum. To purchase, go to santabarbaramission.org/ sistine-chapel-omsb or stop at the museum’s gift shop.

COURTESY PHOTO Boogie Knights, above, will perform 1970s hits during the New Year’s Eve Disco Boogie Ball at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez. And the Spazmatics will play hits from the ’80s. Tickets cost $50.

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@newspress.com.

The Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. The concert is presented by Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara.

Father Joe Schwab is hosting personal tours that delve into the theological and philosophical perspectives of Michelangelo’s art. Groups of 10 or more can contact Donna Reeves for a private tour at development@sboldmission. org.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, has reopened its recurring summer exhibit, “Butterflies Alive!” Featuring a variety of butterflies, this experience allows guests to walk through a garden while nearly 1,000 butterflies flutter freely around them. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 4, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature.org/ butterfliesalive.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The James Castle exhibit is on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, see sbma.net.

7 p.m. PCPA will perform “American Mariachi” at the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Tickets start at $25. To purchase, go to pcpa.org.

7:30 p.m. The Cowboy Junkies will perform their country music and folk rock at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Tickets cost $55 and $65 for general admission and $106 for VIP tickets, which include premier seating and a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

8 p.m. PCPA will perform “Bright Star” at the Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang. To purchase tickets, go to pcpa.org.

JULY 22

1 to 2:30 p.m. Richard Lambert, chef and founder of National Tamale Day, will teach “Secrets of a Tamale Chef” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Free Methodist Church, 1435 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara. Suggested donation for the class is $55 per person. To enroll, go to tinyurl.com/ 0721class.

1:30 and 7 p.m. PCPA will perform “American Mariachi” at the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Tickets start at $25. To purchase, go to pcpa.org.

JULY 23

1:30 p.m. PCPA will perform “American Mariachi” at the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Tickets start at $25. To purchase, go to pcpa.org.

AUG. 11

8 p.m. Blake Lynch, aka Nurse Blake, will perform his healthcare-related standup comedy at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $48.50 to $93.50 at granadasb.org. The $195 VIP package includes perks such as a photo opportunity with Nurse Blake.

— Dave Mason

Managing

The Lobero Theatre has been celebrating its 150 years of history.

NEWS-PRESS STAFF REPORT

PCPA PHOTO

“American Mariachi” is being performed through July 29 at Allan Hancock College. More performances will take place in August at the Solvang Festival Theater.

The Santa Barbara Zoo’s DIGS party celebrates Fiesta. This year’s event is set for Thursday, Aug. 3.

Fiesta-themed party at SB Zoo

Fiesta enthusiasts can celebrate Old Spanish Days at the DIGS party at the Santa Barbara Zoo on Thursday, Aug. 3.

DIGS is a Fiesta party with food from local restaurants, margaritas, live music, and

dancing on the zoo’s iconic hilltop. Tickets are $150 through Aug. 2 and $175 on Aug. 3.

Fiesta attire is encouraged at the 21-plus event. DIGS will run from 5 to 10 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit sbzoo.org/ digs or call (805) 962-5339.

- Liam Hibbert

dogs in Santa Maria at Waller Park from 12 to 4 p.m., Aug. 20.

Vaccines offered at this year’s event will include rabies, distemper/parvo and bordetella.

Last year’s event provided 441 services to 142 animals in a fourhour period.

“It was incredible to see what a huge impact we could make in such a short amount of time,” said Dr. Katie Marrie, Santa Barbara Humane’s Chief

Veterinary Officer. “We’re hoping that this year we can get the word out and help even more animals in need.”

The event is at Waller Park, 3107 Orcutt Road. It is highly recommended to pre-register at sbhumane.org/events. Parties who are pre-registered will be given a pass to move to the front of the line. All other attendees will be served on a first-come, firstserved basis.

To ensure the safety and orderliness of the event, all attending dogs must be on a leash. Vaccinations will only be administered to dogs that are at least six weeks old.

- Liam Hibbert

Shelters seek homes for pets

Local animal shelters and their nonprofit partners are looking for homes for pets. For more information, go to these websites:

• Animal Services-Lompoc, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc.

• Animal Shelter Assistance Program in Goleta, asapcats.org. ASAP is kitty corner to Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter in Goleta, bunssb.org. BUNS is based at Santa Barbara

County Animal Services.

• Companion Animal Placement Assistance, lompoccapa.org and facebook. com/capaoflompoc. CAPA works regularly with Animal ServicesLompoc.

• K-9 Placement & Assistance League, k-9pals.org. K-9 PALS works regularly with Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, sbcanimalcare.org. (The foundation works regularly with the Santa Maria Animal Center.)

• Santa Barbara County Animal Services in Goleta:

countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc.

• Santa Barbara Humane (with campuses in Goleta and Santa Maria), sbhumane.org.

• Santa Maria Animal Center, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc. The center is part of Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton, syvhumane.org.

• Shadow’s Fund (a pet sanctuary in Lompoc), shadowsfund.org.

• Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals in Lompoc: vivashelter. org.

— Dave Mason

Goleta Dam Dinner set for Aug. 19

Goleta’s Dam Dinner is scheduled for Aug. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m.

community. The city of Goleta staff will be at this year’s event.

music will be performed by local bluegrass band the Salt Martians, with popsicles supplied by Dave’s Drip House and commemorative Dam Dinner shirts available for purchase. COURTESY PHOTOS

city has a plastic reduction ordinance in place, and attendees are asked not to bring single-use plastics. As

free

The Day in the Park event will offer free veterinary vaccines, microchips and flea control for

Diversions

horoscope • puzzles

Thought for Today

“The best way to guarantee a loss is to quit.”

— MorganFreeman

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com Friday, July 21, 2023

ARIES — It will be a challenge to keep your emotions on an even keel today, Aries. Conflict may be brewing and you might fear it could get out of hand. Everything will work out. Don’t add to the pressure. The best solution is to escape into reverie and come back to Earth when the storm has passed. Don’t try to untangle the knots if they won’t give.

TAURUS — Tension may arise today, Taurus. It’s possible that you’re either too dreamy or too practical to deal effectively with the issue. It’s important to strike a balance. The toughest part will be finding others who agree with you. The people you’re in conflict with aren’t likely to budge from their position. You may have to be flexible in order to reach a compromise.

GEMINI — Yesterday’s trajectory may run into trouble today, Gemini. Your intrinsically dreamy nature is dragging down the action you initiated. This conflict could create tension that will be difficult to resolve. Your emotions may deceive you, so try not to get pulled off course by a passing whim. Try to keep your feelings grounded.

CANCER — Try to align your mind with your emotions today, Cancer. It’s possible that a powerful yet subtle force is slowly pulling you off track. If so, you should think about taking a break and doing some fast-paced physical activity to get your heart rate up and blood pumping. Jogging will help clear your head and enable you to think more rationally about decisions you need to make.

LEO — An emotional issue could be rubbing you the wrong way, Leo. Your impulse is to escape. Try to do so in a healthy manner. Go see a movie or read a book. Don’t fall prey to the temptation to indulge in alcohol or food. This will only push the problems away temporarily. When they resurface again, they may be even harder to handle.

SUDOKU

that what was so light and active yesterday is running into a few roadblocks today, Libra. You’re suddenly heading into a brick wall with some of the projects you’ve been working on. Suddenly there’s a more reserved tone to things and you may lose precious momentum. Use this time to back off and reassess the wisdom of your direction.

SCORPIO — The pace of things is likely to slow compared to what it was yesterday, Scorpio. This is probably best. Take this time to plan and stabilize. You’ve plowed, sown, and reaped the fields. Now stop and assess what you’ve produced and decide what to do with it. Take things one step at a time and don’t get ahead of yourself. Be patient and things will naturally come your way.

SAGITTARIUS — There may be dreaminess about your emotions today, Sagittarius, which could keep you from focusing on the task at hand. The aspects dictate that people may be stubborn and confused - and you’re likely to be one of them. Your mind may seem to be going in two different directions and you aren’t sure which way to proceed. Try to incorporate more of your dreams into your waking reality.

CAPRICORN — Little voices whisper in your ear and ask you to take flight and join them in the clouds, Capricorn. There’s tension between what your heart and mind tell you. They’re pulling you in very different directions. Don’t be surprised if today’s energy leaves you confused by sunset. Don’t stress about making hard decisions or commitments.

AQUARIUS — Something or someone may prod you to take action today, Aquarius. It may be best if you beat them to it and motivate yourself. Break away from the herd and go wherever you want to go. It’s likely that you will run into conflict regarding an issue you feel strongly about. People may be stubborn, so prepare for a stalemate rather than any sort of resolution.

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Saturday’s Life section.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CODEWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

VIRGO — An emotional issue could be rubbing you the wrong way, Leo. Your impulse is to escape. Try to do so in a healthy manner. Go see a movie or read a book. Don’t fall prey to the temptation to indulge in alcohol or food. This will only push the problems away temporarily. When they resurface again, they may be even harder to handle.

Monday, November16, 2015

Daily Bridge Club

PISCES — You might experience a great deal of emotional confusion, Pisces. There’s a debate brewing inside you, and you’re having a hard time deciding whether to be practical or more fanciful. Looking to others for help may only add to the problem, so take other people’s advice with a grain of salt. If nothing seems clear, wait out the storm and proceed when you have a better handle on the weather.

LIBRA —It may be apparent

‘Play Bridge With Me’

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Friday, July 21, 2023

Since 1981 I’ve written a monthly column for the ACBL’s magazine. Many have been “over-my-shoulder” style. You listen in on my thoughts during a deal.

“My husband and I used to let all the little frustrations of our marriage surface at the bridge table,” a club player told me. “I guess many couples are like that. We argued so much we got counselling.”

PUZZLE

double, and your partner jumps to three hearts. What do you say?

left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes.

What do you say?

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Every number in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

“Did that help?”

“We still argue, but now we call it ‘sharing.’”

My friend said she and her husband were today’s East-West.

Ninety of the best of these appear in “Play Bridge With Me,” my 23rd book, just published. The deals are intermediate level; the focus is on logical thinking.

“South played at four spades after my husband opened 1NT. He led the king of hearts, and I signaled with the nine. When he continued with the ace and eight, declarer ruffed, drew trumps and led the queen of clubs.”

ANSWER: Partner’s jump shows about 10 points and invites game. He may have only four cards in hearts, but you have enough strength to accept. Your king of diamonds, located behind the opening bidder, is probably a winner, and even your ten of clubs may be useful. Bid four hearts. West dealer Both sides

ANSWER: This case is close. In theory, your 11 points are enough for a jump to two spades, inviting game, but your king of hearts, trapped in front of the opening bidder, may be worthless. Many experts would jump anyway. I would reluctantly downgrade the hand and settle for a response of one spade. East dealer N-S vulnerable

LAST HEART

At today’s four spades, I win the first heart in dummy and lead a diamond. I can’t risk losing an early trump finesse; I need a quick pitch for my heart loser. East wins the second diamond and returns a heart, and I win to discard dummy’s last heart on my high diamond. When I finesse in trumps, East wins and exits with a trump.

PASSED

HAND

“West played low, but South overtook with the king, ruffed dummy’s last heart and led another club. My hubby won but had to lead a diamond or club, and South made game. “I shared that my husband should lead a low heart at the second trick. On the bidding, I was more likely to have the queen than a doubleton. I’ll shift to a diamond, and we get four tricks.”

West also prevails with a low club or a trump at Trick Two.

Now I must guess in clubs. But East, a passed hand, had the ace of diamonds, queen of hearts and king of spades. He won’t have the ace of clubs, so I lead to the king, making the game.

You hold:

The dealer, at your right, opens one spade. You

For a postpaid to U.S. copy of “Play Bridge With Me,” send $23.95 to PO Box 962, Fayette AL35555. Tell me how you’d like it inscribed. Profits donated.

‘Mariachi puts the yearning of being human before any superficial aesthetic’

MARIACHI

Continued from Page B1

performed in “American Mariachi” in 2019 with the Arizona Theatre Company.

“I was advocating for PCPA to include it in their season because this show really speaks to our Mexican-American community and the greater Latin American community,” she said.

In “American Mariachi,” Lucha goes to her grandfather to teach her how to perform the mariachi song her mother loves. But he tells her that he must teach her the entire craft of mariachi music, and there’s a lot of mariachi music in the production.

It’s the kind of music that empowered the childhood of Ms. Celaya, who’s MexicanAmerican.

“Mariachi is a big part of the Mexican tradition,” said the Los Angeles County native, who earned her bachelor’s in theater and literature in 2009 at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and her master’s in acting in 2016 at the University of Washington in Seattle. “You can expect to hear it on car rides or when it’s time to clean the house.

“It’s very passionate music. It doesn’t hold back,” Ms. Celaya said. “Mariachi puts the yearning of being human before any superficial aesthetic.”

The play and its music also strike a chord with Blanca Araceli, a TV and movie actress who portrays Amalia, Lucha’s mother.

“I love it,” Ms. Araceli told the NewsPress. “We keep discovering things about our characters and other people’s characters.”

She said Amalia is like other Latino mothers.

“It (the play) reminds me of the strong women they are. They keep the house; they love their families,” said Ms. Araceli, a Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico native who emigrated to the U.S.

Ms. Araceli — who was the voice of the emcee in the 2017 Disney-Pixar movie “Coco” and has acted on TV shows such as “The Neighborhood,” “The Connors” and “American Horror Story” — noted that “American Mariachi” reminds her of her own mother and aunt. “Women like that are full of life, and whenever they see a problem, they look for a solution. They keep their family together.”

The Los Angeles actress said the audience has reacted positively to the story about the human condition.

“The first preview (show) we had, we had this amazing couple who gave one of the best compliments I’ve heard in a very long time,” Ms. Araceli said.

“They said, ‘I’ve been coming here for 26 years, but no one has ever touched my heart in the way you did. You broke my heart, but in a good way.’ ”

email: dmason@newspress.com

Delaware court blocks release of Biden’s Senate papers

By CHRISTIAN WADE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — Delaware’s highest court has blocked a request by conservative groups seeking to access President Joe Biden’s Senate papers at a state university.

The July 6 ruling by the Delaware Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision that sided with the University of Delaware in denying a request from Judicial Watch and another group seeking access to the records, which President Biden gifted to the public university in 2012. Judicial Watch and the Daily Caller News Foundation submitted a formal public records request to the university in 2020 to review the documents.

But the university rejected the request, arguing that President Biden’s Senate papers aren’t considered public records because they don’t involve the expenditure of state money by the university.

A state Superior Court judge sided with the university, rejecting the records request, but the groups appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to take up the case.

In the request for an appeal, lawyers for the groups said the files are of “paramount interest for citizens and the free press” but have been “kept under lock and key by the university.

Efforts to review those files by Appellants and others have been systematically blocked by the University and denied by the Delaware Attorney General’s Office and the Superior Court,” they wrote in a 39-page legal brief.

The lawyers said the university had “failed to prove that no public funds are utilized” for the upkeep of the Biden Senate papers and argued that the failure to release public documents of “national significance” will have a chilling effect on free speech and freedom of the press.

“Critical to this freedom is the ability of the press and other citizens to access documents concerning the operation of our government and the day-to-day handling of affairs by our elected representatives,” they wrote. “Stifle access, and liberty is hindered.”

The plaintiffs also pointed out that national media organizations, including the

Washington Post, have also tried to access President Biden’s Senate papers but also have been denied.

The university says President Biden donated the documents on the condition they not be released until they have been “properly processed and archived.”

“The university is bound by, and will comply with, the agreement,” reads a statement on its website. “Until the archival process is complete and the collection is opened to the public, access is only available with President Biden’s express consent.”

The documents include 1,850 boxes of archival records and 415 gigabytes of electronic records from President Biden’s long U.S. Senate career, from 1973 through 2009, according to court filings. Judicial Watch said the records could contain information about the case of Tara Reade, who accused President Biden of sexual assault in 2020 and later fled to Russia. The group says Ms. Reade has suggested that the records could contain evidence supporting her allegations.

Seattle Cannabis law provides dispensary employees union-like protections

By TIMOTHY SCHUMANN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Nearly a year after being proposed by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harnell, Seattle’s newest cannabis-related law went into effect Wednesday.

Brought into existence by Mayor Harrell and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who sponsored the bill in council, the new law was pitched to the public as part of a suite of “legislation to improve equity in the cannabis industry.”

“The Cannabis Employee Job Retention Ordinance provides protections for workers in this industry that will help provide a stable workplace, stronger workforce, and contribute to a better overall economy for Seattle,” said Office of Labor Standards Director Steven Marchese in a news release accompanying the announcement.

The final rules and time periods for the legislation were decided earlier this month.

The legislation added Chapter 8.38 to the Seattle Municipal Code titled “Cannabis Employee Job Retention.” The law is meant to protect employees in the cannabis industry if their employer sells the business or the license changes hands.

According to the text of the legislation, it establishes a “preferential hiring list” based on the concept of “seniority,” which aims to provide a backstop for rank-and-file employees in the event of a management shake-up.

The law states that employers “must hire by seniority within each job classification to the extent

Virginia and Maryland debate new criteria for FBI headquarters

By MORGAN SWEENEY THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) — In response to talks with Maryland and Virginia officials, the GSA – the government agency tasked with choosing a location for the new FBI headquarters – has again adjusted its criteria, leaving the neighboring states still jockeying for selection after years of indecision.

It took a decade of complaints about the security, space and functionality of the existing Washington, D.C., FBI headquarters for Congress to appropriate funds and authorize the search for a new one in 2012.

In 2014, the General Services Administration narrowed its list of 35 possible sites down to three: Greenbelt or Landover, both in Prince George’s County, Maryland, or Springfield, Virginia.

With the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Act, Congress directed the GSA to make its final selection.

The GSA published the criteria for the decision in its Site Selection Plan in September and then amended the plan in November. Then Congress directed the GSA, in the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Act, to gather remaining information by consulting with representatives from both states, which was done in March.

But Maryland leaders weren’t satisfied with the criteria or the weight placed on them.

At the time, the criteria were: serving the FBI’s mission 35%, transportation 25%, flexibility 15%, equity 15% and cost 10%.

“Flexibility” refers to the campus’ potential to expand, if needed, and its ability to adjust to “future programmatic changes,” as well as ease of acquiring the property and starting construction. “Equity” refers to “advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the Federal Government” and to “sustainable land use,” facilitating climate change resilience and “equitable development that promotes environmental justice and spurs economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities.”

that comparable job classifications exist,” and this prohibition on hiring outside of this preferential industry list lasts a full 180 days after any management change.

This means anyone who works for any licensed dispensary in any capacity is extended these protections.

The concept of seniority is more nebulous. According to the law, seniority is “determined by the employee’s seniority within their most recent job classification.” It does not, however, lay out any guidance for what that job classification is based on.

The fallback is a union-like determination “by the employee’s date of hire,” which is required to be provided by the outgoing employer prior to any management or ownership change.

Industry employees also gain another backstop from this new code. If they accept an offer, an offer that will likely be extended as employers are prohibited from hiring anywhere outside the preferential list, the employer “must retain the employee for no less than 90 days.”

The law does list an exception for ‘just cause’ firings.

“The Cannabis Employee Job Retention Ordinance is a monumental step toward protecting the rights of cannabis industry employees,” said Cody Funderburk in a statement. Mr. Funderburk is a cannabis industry professional, activist, and former member of local cannabis union UFCW 3000.

The law is already in effect for all dispensaries in the City of Seattle.

In particular, as The Center Square previously reported, one sub-criteria under missional requirements was the “proximity of the site to the FBI Academy Quantico” in Virginia.

Maryland representatives felt that was an unfair consideration, and they also thought that the criteria – and equity in particular – should be more evenly weighted.

The major five criteria remain the same, but the GSA has updated the weightings to 25%, 20%, 15%, 20% and 20%, respectively, placing a greater value on equity and the project cost.

“The consultations with the delegations provided valuable feedback, and helped us refine our plan to maximize value for the FBI and the public,” said Nina Gilbert, GSA commissioner of the Public Buildings Service. “We have updated the plan to incorporate new government-wide directives and to increase the cost consideration to deliver better value for taxpayers.”

The Landover location is the largest site, at approximately 80 acres, and is privately owned. The Greenbelt location is 61 acres, located at the Greenbelt Metrorail Station, and is owned by the state and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The Springfield location is 58 acres in Fairfax County, Virginia, and is currently owned by the GSA.

While Springfield is closest to the Ronald Reagan International Airport and the FBI at Quantico, the Greenbelt and Landover locations are less strong economically and would more clearly meet the GSA’s equity criteria.

Maryland representatives also argued that “it would cost taxpayers $1 billion more” to build at the Springfield site than at either Maryland location.

Theater was founded in 1873 and rebuilt in 1924

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Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs. The structure even withstood the 1925 earthquake, which destroyed the historic center of the city. Registered as a state and city historical landmark, the Lobero is recognized as one of Santa Barbara’s architectural jewels. Today, the theater is managed by the Lobero Theatre Foundation,

which works to maintain, improve and operate the venue as a performing arts theater and cultural asset to the community. The Lobero is also Santa Barbara County’s first certified Green Theater and the first historic building to earn this designation. Whether hosting events of great societal importance, launching

the careers of Hollywood legends, serving as an influential jazz venue or providing a stage for some of the world’s finest performers, the Lobero inspires diverse audiences of all ages. With its relatively small seat count, it affords audiences the chance to see top talent in a more personal, intimate venue. To commemorate its 150th historic

milestone, the theater’s operators have mounted a public celebration and awareness campaign to pay tribute to the landmark, and position the Lobero Theatre to be a prominent, integral and essential stage for the performing arts in Santa Barbara well into the future.

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