Small business ‘crisis’
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Mental Wellness Center’s annual showcase event set for May 20 - B1
Our 167th Year
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S AT U R DAY, M AY 6 , 2 023
From agave to music Local farmer Ane Diaz to release soulful album ‘Despechada’
Is state ready for this year’s wildfires? Newsom says yes By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR
(The Center Square) - “Amid intensifying climate impacts, California and much of the West are experiencing longer and more destructive wildfire seasons. With our state on the frontlines of this existential threat, my Administration is taking unprecedented action to make our communities more resilient to wildfire and improve forest health. “Over the past four years, we’ve advanced historic investments to step up forest management and other projects that decrease catastrophic wildfire risk, fund robust emergency response efforts, and purchase state-ofthe-art firefighting equipment. Thanks in part to these efforts, California last year saw an 85% reduction in acres burned compared to the previous year, a 75% reduction in structures damaged or destroyed, and the first night-flying firefighting mission,” the Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation for Fire Preparedness Week said in part. So far the state has set aside $2.7 billion for forest management and management personnel with an additional $671.4 million in 2022-23 to add 1,265 new positions and expand to 37 fire crews, fund fire-fighting air operations and add supplemental relief for CAL FIRE. In preparation for this year’s fire season, Gov. Newsom has
Gov. Gavin Newsom
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deployed across the state, 18 helicopters and 6 fixed-wing aircraft hired exclusively for fire missions and to allow for a quicker response. These aircraft are equipped with infrared for night operations enabling incident commanders to monitor forest fires at all times. A 20-year strategy was employed in 2020 by Gov. Newsom to restore forest health and boost wildfire resilience to improve 1 million acres of wildlands and forest through 2025. Additionally, the governor promotes home hardening and creating defensible space around residences as the individual responsibility of Californians. While these measures show a Please see WILDFIRES on A7
Foodbank partners with letter carriers to stamp out hunger By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County will take part in the National Association of Letter Carriers annual food drive on May 13. Postal customers can donate non-perishable food items by leaving them next to their mailboxes before mail is delivered on the day of the drive. The Stamp Out Hunger Food COURTESY ANE DIAZ
Local agave farmer Ane Diaz’s talents include singing, songwriting and playing the guitar.
By ANNIKA BAHNSEN
Rancho Del Sol in Montecito, the Santa Barbara resident is making strides in her musical career with her new album titled “Despechada.” It will be released on June 9 on all streaming Please see MUSICIAN on A7
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Agave farmer Ane Diaz is showing her talent in another field. When she isn’t operating
Drive accepts all shelf-stable, non-glass food items. The most needed foods for the drive are nut butters, canned protein such as tuna, chicken and salmon, whole grain cereals, pasta, canned pasta sauce, dried beans, canned beans, canned corn, healthy soups and stews, oatmeal, bouillon, olive oil and rice, according to the Foodbank. All non-perishable food left next Please see FOODBANK on A7
FYI Santa Barbara singer Ane Diaz’s album will be released on June 9 on all streaming platforms. To learn more, visit www.anediazmusic.com.
World Health Organization ends COVID-19 pandemic emergency By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE
(The Center Square) – The World Health Organization said Friday the COVID-19 public health emergency was over. Friday’s announcement came after a meeting Thursday of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee. During the meeting, the committee highlighted
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decreasing COVID-19 deaths, the decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, and high levels of immunity. “While acknowledging the remaining uncertainties posted by potential evolution of SARS-CoV-2, they advised that it is time to transition to long-term management of the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to statement from the organization.
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Santa Barbara County residents are being asked to leave nonperishable food by their mailbox as part of the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
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WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred with the committee. He determined that “COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.” The United States federal government is expected to let its COVID-19 public health emergency expire on May 11.
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Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 17-20-21-24-44 Mega: 26
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Friday’s DAILY 3: 8-9-4 / Midday 5-5-1