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Zelensky addresses Congress, seeks help Carbajal stresses he’s committed to getting more aid to Ukraine
UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT PHOTO
KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS
The cruise ship Majestic Princess is anchored Wednesday off Santa Barbara. It was the first cruise ship to visit the city since 2020.
Ships ahoy!
By KAITLYN SCHALLHORN NEWS-PRESS STAFF-WRITER
Cruise ships return to Santa Barbara after COVID-19 hiatus By KAITLYN SCHALLHORN NEWS-PRESS STAFF-WRITER
Off the coast of Santa Barbara Wednesday morning, a new but familiar cluster of lights shimmered over the ocean, illuminating a possible sign of normality in a post-pandemic world. It was the Majestic Princess, anchored nearly 2 miles from the Santa Barbara Harbor — the first cruise ship to visit Santa Barbara since the program was halted during COVID-19. Before Wednesday, the last
cruise ship visited Santa Barbara on March 4, 2020. Santa Barbara has 17 cruise ships on deck to visit during the remainder of the spring season in 2022. Ships anchor off the coast, and passengers are brought to the Sea Landing on tenders to explore, shop and dine around Santa Barbara. “We are delighted to return to Santa Barbara, and our guests are excited to once again visit this beautiful California coast destination,” Briana Latter, a spokesperson for Princess Cruises, told the News-Press in a statement.
Holland America Line’s Koningsdam cruise ship is scheduled to arrive in Santa Barbara on March 26, the next to visit the area. According to a schedule, the 17 ships are projected to arrive in the morning and leave Santa Barbara in the late afternoon the same day. “It is really neat to see, a nice signal that the community (is) taking another step back towards normality: people starting to travel back to the community,” Mike Wiltshire, Santa Barbara’s waterfront director, told the NewsPress.
The cruise ship industry had a total economic impact of nearly $4 million in 2016 in Santa Barbara, according to the most recent study commissioned by Visit Santa Barbara. Retail brought in about $1.4 million and restaurants made up about $1.3 million, according to the study. Passengers reported spending an average of nearly $110 per party while ashore in Santa Barbara. After the Majestic Princess’ arrival Wednesday, the News-Press noticed more foot traffic on lower
U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, said the U.S. and other partners “can and must do more to support Ukraine” following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to Congress. President Zelensky gave an impassioned speech to Congress Wednesday morning, invoking previous tragedies in the U.S. such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. He played a graphic video showing the devastating impact Russia’s invasion has had on the people of his country. “Russia has attacked not just us, not just our land, not just our cities. It went on a brutal offensive against our values, basic human values,” President Zelensky said through a translator during his address,
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Legislative Republicans unveiled a comprehensive package to address homelessness across the state Wednesday. Dubbed ACT on Homelessness, the package was unveiled by Republicans from the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento with a focus on accountability, compassion and treatment. “Republicans are proposing a multi-pronged approach to address the root of the homeless crisis and actually help people get their lives back,” said Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita. “Continuing on the road we are on is more of a dead-end than a path to success.” As part of the package, Sen. Wilk has a bill that would require the governor to report annually actions the state and local governments have taken to reduce homelessness and mandate local governments report expenditures on programs to reduce homelessness, clean up areas, provide mental health and substance abuse treatment and more. Other bills include protections
for places of worship that provide services or shelters to those experiencing homelessness from lawsuits, allow local governments to use Clean California and other highway beautification program funds for homeless camp cleanup efforts and require the state auditor to review the impact of the funds spent to combat homelessness. Still other proposals included in the initiative would allow more flexibility for funds used for mental health treatment and pilot programs and grant additional funds to local law enforcement agencies for wrap-around services. Additionally, it includes budget proposals to increase California’s behavioral health workforce and treatment options for mental illnesses. Republicans Wednesday said California has already spent $17 billion over the past four years but the problem hasn’t dissipated. Their proposal is made up of 17 bills. Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, is spearheading legislation to increase grant programs for local governments to increase
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Please see ZELENSKY on A2
Local group gives update on human trafficking at forum By KAITLYN SCHALLHORN NEWS-PRESS STAFF-WRITER
NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO
A transient sits on a bench in downtown Santa Barbara. Republican lawmakers in California are proposing a multi-pronged approach to tackling homelessness.
temporary shelter options, amend the Mental Health Services Act to allow more accountability and flexibility in funds helping unhoused individuals who need treatment, and use opioid
which was broadcast live via videoconferencing from Kyiv. “It threw tanks and planes against our freedom, against our right to live freely in our own choosing (of) our own future, against our desire for happiness, against our national dreams. Just like the same dreams you have, you Americans, just like anybody else in the United States.” Advocating for U.S. help with a no-fly zone, President Zelensky said, “Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people.” Then in English, President Zelensky implored: “I see no sense in life if it cannot stop the deaths. And this is my main issue as the leader of my people, brave Ukrainians. And as the leader of my nation, I am addressing President Biden. You are the leader of your great nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world.
Please see CRUISE SHIP on A2
Republicans unveil plan to tackle homelessness By KAITLYN SCHALLHORN
NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO
At left, “Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Congress Wednesday in a plea for a no-fly zone over Ukraine. At right, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, said the U.S. and its partners must do more to help Ukraine.
settlement funds for treatment and prevention efforts for homeless individuals. “There’s a lot in it, but it is a Please see HOMELESS on A2
A 2021 human trafficking task force identified 207 survivors in Santa Barbara County, and 43% of those people were residents of Santa Barbara, according to a presentation given Wednesday afternoon. And those are only the people who were confirmed. SB ACT, in partnership with the county’s Human Trafficking Task Force, held a virtual presentation on the prevalence of human trafficking and tools to identify, report and aid victims Wednesday for members of the community. Members of the Santa Barbara City Council also participated in the informative session. According to the 2021 task force’s report, 97% of the confirmed survivors were female with 29% 17 or younger.
“The idea that this is happening with children is, there’s not even a word for it. Heartbreaking is not even the right word,” Councilmember Kristen Sneddon said. “If we know this happens, then there must be more we can be doing.” According to the presentation, the definition of trafficking encompassed people who are subjected to force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor with the latter being more prevalent. Perpetrators can be anyone from a stranger to victim met through school, work or online. Some individuals who have been trafficked might not realize they are being exploited or want to leave the situation. According to SB ACT, which coordinates task forces, Please see TRAFFICKING on B4
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L O T T E RY RESULTS
Classified................. B4 Life...................... B1-2 Obituaries............... A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 7-2-1-0
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 9-14-28-59-60 Meganumber: 24
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 5-17-18-21-38
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 02-08-04 Time: 1:46.09
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Sudoku................... B3 Sports . .................... A3 Weather................. A4
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 2-2-7 / Wednesday’s Midday 1-2-6