Santa Barbara News-Press: May 01, 2022

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To catch a killer

Samarkand art show returns

Columnist Robert Eringer details his role in catching the Unicorn Killer - A2

Residents, staff displa their creations in spring show - B1

Our 166th Year

$2.00

S u n d a y , M AY 1 , 2 0 2 2

Santa Barbara Fair and Expo makes full return

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo comes alive at night at the Earl Warren Showgrounds on Friday,

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF REPORTER

Since Wednesday, the Santa Barbara Fair and Expo has been taking place at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. This year has been the first “full fair experience” since 2019. “The attendance has been phenomenal. Overall it has been up 50% since 2019. Specifically, attendance was up 30% on Wednesday, 60% on Thursday and 70% on Friday from 2019. It has felt full the entire time,” Ben Sprague, CEO of Earl Warren Showgrounds, told the News-Press

Putting Kids First event raises $175, 000 PAL benefit honors John Van Dongee and first responders

on Saturday. “The atmosphere has been exciting. The funnel cake line is always long, but people are willing to wait because it is worth it. The most popular rides include the Giant Wheel, the Hawaiian Express, the Turbo (for older kids) and the Wacky Worm,” said Mr. Sprague. Mr. Sprague’s eight year-old son Seeley told the News-Press that his favorite ride was the Star Ship and his favorite food was cotton candy. “I think the attendance is Please see FAIR on A5

Reducing the distance Westmont College students build a connection with homeless individuals

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara Police Activities League raised $175,000 during the 22nd annual Putting Kids First event Friday evening at the Santa Barbara Carriage House. This is the first event that has been held since 2019 due to the pandemic. The silent auction raised $175,000, well surpassing PAL’s goal of $80,000, which will fund enrichment programming for disadvantaged youth in Santa Barbara. This year’s event honorees were John Van Donge and Santa Barbara first responders. Special thanks to the title sponsor, Jay and Talia Roston. The evening included a dinner, along with the silent auction. Some of the notable auction items included a playbill signed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a pair of cleats signed by world renowned soccer player Pelé, Lakers packages and gift certificates to local Santa Barbara restaurants. “It was special because besides being able to finally see each

By KAITLYN SCHALLHORN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

On any given Thursday evening, a group of Westmont College students treks to Alameda Park where they mingle

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

other and board members being able to get together for the first time in years, we were able to honor John Van Donge,” Judie Lugo, executive director of the Santa Barbara Police Activities League, told the News-Press. “John got us through one of the

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roughest patches in PAL (which were) due to police protests and the fact that we hit an all-time low in financials due to the pandemic. We were afraid we were going to have to shut our doors. “We are now established Please see PAL on A4

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Volunteers prepare to feed people in need at Alameda Park in Santa Barbara on Thursday.

The students are part of Westmont College’s Downtown Program, described as a “semester in social entrepreneurship.” They live offcampus and spend the semester serving in a variety of internships meant to engrain them in the Santa Barbara community while applying their disciplines in a “real-world” setting, Dr. Rick Ostrander, the executive director of Westmont Downtown, told the News-Press. For several students, this means the opportunity to work with SBACT, Bread of Life, the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission or other organizations serving the unhoused population. This means they are able to congregate in Alameda Park on Thursday evenings as a Neighborhood Navigation Center is set up to provide a wide array of services including case management aid, food, mental and physical health care, pet Please see WESTMONT on A4

LOTTERY

i nsi d e Classified.............. A8 Life..................... B1-4 Obituaries............. A4

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and break bread with other Santa Barbara residents. It’s an evening of communication, fellowship and engagement. But it’s also a time for the students to interact with a community often excluded or ignored.

Attendees check out gift packages and other items available for silent auction before dinner during the 22nd annual Police Activities League Putting Kids First event at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum on Friday.

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Riders scream as they speed backwards in circles.

Sudoku................. B3 Sports ................... A6 Weather................ A4

Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 3-15-21-35-46 Mega: 18

Saturday’s DAILY 4: 7-7-1-0

Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 9-11-34-49-66 Mega: 15

Saturday’s FANTASY 5: 3-6-9-36-39

Saturday’s DAILY DERBY: 01-07-03 Time: 1:48.01

Saturday’s POWERBALL: 14-21-37-44-63 Meganumber: 1

Saturday’s DAILY 3: 0-6-7 / Midday 0-3-5


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