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Escobedo runs for 37th Assembly District Santa Barbara planning commissioner prioritizes affordable housing By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Few students moved about on UCSB’s campus Wednesday. Students are currently learning remotely.
Gabe Escobedo, vice chair of the Santa Barbara Planning Commission, grew frustrated with Sacramento’s demands to boost affordable housing stock without additional funding from the state. The son of a single mother who worked many jobs, he resonates with the need for the affordable units requested by California legislators. But he wishes those same representatives gave municipalities the ability to make that change, he told the News-Press. “If the funding is not there, then it’s kind of a moot point, and we’re just going to talk ourselves in circles,” he said Wednesday. “We have budget surpluses at the state level; we have infrastructure money coming in from the federal
UCSB instructors to call shots on in-person learning
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
UCSB students stroll and study near the Humanities and Social Sciences Building. Chancellor Dr. Henry Yang wrote in a message to campus that the campus is “bustling.”
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Procession salutes firefighter and paramedic Joey De Anda, who died in a skiing accident
By ANNELISE HANSHAW
Please see CLASSES on A2
government. Right now is the best time possible for us to
Firefighters honor one of their own
SBCC shifts to virtual instruction through mid-February UCSB may be the only University of California campus with a regular flow of students Jan. 18-28, for it is the only UC campus leaving the decision of remote v. in-person instruction up to its instructors for that period. UCSB Chancellor Dr. Henry Yang sent a message to campus Saturday informing the community of this decision, one he attributes to “consultation with our Academic Senate and members of the faculty, our deans and administrative colleagues, our students, our staff and campus medical experts.” Why did Dr. Yang give instructors the choice? “Instruction falls under the purview of Academic Senate and academic affairs,” answered Shelly Leachman, UCSB spokesperson, who quoted the portion of Dr. Yang’s letter included in the above paragraph. “Instructors were given the option to teach in person based on their pedagogical needs and goals,” Ms. Leachman told the News-Press. Despite the message of a shared responsibility, some students are pointing fingers at few. “The ASUCSB Executive Board has met with the chancellor and COVID-19 Task Force several times over the course of the Summer, Fall, and Winter quarters,” Associated Students External VP for Statewide Affairs Esmeralda Quintero-Cubillan said. “However, I wouldn’t
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Gabe Escobedo, above, is the second to announce candidacy in California’s 37th Assembly District. Also running is Jonathan Abboud.
Firefighters this week honored Joey De Anda, a beloved 33-yearold Santa Barbara County firefighter and paramedic who died during a skiing accident Saturday in Fresno. Mr. De Anda was originally from Santa Maria, and a procession in his honor took place Tuesday from Fresno to Santa Maria. Mr. De Anda was injured on a slope at China Peak Resort, near Lakeshore. First responders found him lying in the snow after responding at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday. A preliminary investigation showed that Mr. De Anda, who was wearing a helmet, suffered severe injuries after colliding with a tree. Resuscitations were attempted on scene but proved unsuccessful. “He worked primarily in the Santa Maria Valley, was assigned to an engine company and at times an ambulance responding to 9-1-1 calls,” Capt. Daniel Bertucelli, the county fire department’s public information officer, told the News-Press Wednesday. Tuesday’s procession transported Mr. De Anda’s body from Fresno and included fire trucks and other first responder vehicles, who arrived around 4 p.m. in Santa Maria. The procession left Highway 101 at Stowell Road and proceeded to the Dudley Hoffman Mortuary, the location of a memorial service. “Joey’s body was transported
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Joey De Anda
back from Fresno to Santa Maria on Tuesday, during which citizens and first responders paid their respects by lining the procession,” Capt. Bertucelli told the News-Press. Mr. De Anda was transported at the front of the procession, in a Bearcat armored vehicle. This is an honor that reflected the relationship that Mr. De Anda had forged with other firefighters, paramedics and police. Mr. De Anda attended Santa Maria and St. Joseph high schools before studying journalism at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo County. “He was a great human being who was always positive and committed to the citizens he served as well as his family and co-workers,” Capt. Bertucelli said, adding that Mr. De Anda was engaged to be married. email: kzehnder@newspress.com
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L O T T E RY RESULTS
Classified................. B4 Life...................... B1-2 Obituaries............... A4
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 0-5-0-0
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 0-0-0-0-0 Meganumber: 00
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 13-19-28-35-38
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 06-04-05 Time: 1:44.23
Saturday’s POWERBALL: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Sudoku................... B3 Sports . .................... A4 Weather................. A4
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 8-3-9 / Wednesday’s Midday 2-3-5