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Santa Barbara News-Press: July 17, 2023

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Budget blues

‘Swan Song’

Feds borrowing over $5B per day as programs face insolvency - A2

Mahershala Ali stars in a movie about a man trying to do what’s right for his family - B1

Our 167th Year

75¢

M O N D A Y , J U L Y 1 7, 2 0 2 3

NEWS-PRESS EXCLUSIVE

Case against homeless woman expected to be dropped Rebecca Brand says District Attorney’s Office is not moving ahead with prosecution of woman Ms. Brand says assaulted her By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

The court case against Nellie Gackowska — a homeless woman Rebecca Brand says took her cellphone and assaulted her with it on Christmas Eve outside Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant in Santa Barbara — is expected to be dismissed today at Santa Barbara County

Superior Court. Ms. Brand told the News-Press Sunday that Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Branch is dropping the case. A motion is expected to be heard sometime this morning before Judge Michael Carrozzo at the courthouse in Santa Barbara. During an exclusive News-Press interview, Ms. Brand said Deputy District Attorney

Branch told her Friday afternoon that the District Attorney’s Office decided against moving forward with the case. Ms. Brand said a victim/witness advocate and an investigator sat in on the meeting. The District Attorney’s Office is closed on Sundays and was unavailable for comment, but the News-Press is following today’s court Please see DROPPED on A4

NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Santa Barbara County Fair celebrates 130th year

Rebecca Brand stands outside Rudy’s Mexican Restaurant in December. She said she saw the front window shatter when a rock was thrown on Christmas Eve.

Gov. Newsom threatens Temecula school board for rejecting new social studies textbook

Gov. Gavin Newsom

COURTESY PHOTO

By KENNETH SCHRUPP THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - In response to the Temecula Unified School Board’s decision not to adopt a controversial social studies textbook in May of 2023, Governor Newsom challenged the board’s decision and threatened it with legislative consequences if it does not reverse course. The school board, which banned “critical race theory” in December of 2022, detailed how it did not “ban” a book, but instead decided not to adopt a new social studies curriculum, and that an alternative curriculum compliant with state standards is being presented on July 18, 2023. Furthermore, the school board also stated claims by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond that “the school district is slated to begin the school year on August 14, 2023 without enough textbooks for every student” is “categorically false.” Gov. Newsom, on the other hand, contends, “radicalized zealots on the school board rejected a textbook used by hundreds of thousands of students and now children will begin the school year without the tools they need to learn.” Doubling down against the school board’s ability to determine its own curriculum, Gov. Newsom said, “If the school board won’t do its job by its next board meeting to ensure kids start the school year with basic materials, the state will deliver the book into the hands of children and their parents — and we’ll send the district the bill and fine them for violating state law.” Democratic leaders across California joined Gov. Newsom in challenging the school board’s decision, including Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (DSan Diego) and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas).

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Above, the Ferris wheel towers above the carnival late Sunday afternoon at the front of the Santa Barbara County Fair at Santa Maria Fairpark. At right, young riders take flight on one of the gravitydefying rides at the fair.

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The 130th annual Santa Barbara County Fair was this past week as families from around the county made it out to see the various attractions. The fair took place on the Santa Maria Fairgrounds from Wednesday through Sunday. Featuring everything from small roller coasters to concerts, fair food and petting zoos, the event attracted thousands of people each day. “It’s been really fun, this is my tenth year, it’s

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hard not to love the fair,” said Cooper Haws, who shows cattle. “It’s cool to see how raising them from young animals to compete in fairs, to see that satisfaction. When you put in the work, to see that pay off.” Tucked away from the entrance was the animal section of the fair, featuring barns full of turkeys, goats, pigs and other farm animals. For people like Mr. Haws, the county fair offers more than just entertainment and a chance to talk to locals, Please see FAIR on A4

Classified.............. B4 Life..................... B1-4 Obituaries............. A4 6

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LOTTERY

i nsi d e Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A4

Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 17-23-25-36-38 Mega: 14

Sunday’s DAILY 4: 9-8-3-2

Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 10-24-45-51-66 Mega: 40.31

Sunday’s FANTASY 5: 1-4-7-13-30

Sunday’s DAILY DERBY: 09-08-07 Time: 1:48.69

Saturday’s POWERBALL: 2-9-43-55-57 Meganumber: 18

Sunday’s DAILY 3: 1-2-7 / Midday 3-3-7


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