DeSantis a presidential candidate
‘Message in a Bottle’
Florida governor takes to Twitter to announce his candidacy - A3
Wildling Museum debuts new long-term installation by artist Elizabeth Criss - B1
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Humpback whale Warriors baseball return corpse washed to NAIA World Series ashore on Carpinteria beach By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
The body of a humpback whale was washed ashore on a beach near Carpinteria earlier this week. Beachgoers — and their fourlegged friends — have been urged to be careful around the large mammal, which is on Padaro Beach. “We probably get about one humpback whale (washed ashore) every other year,” said Michelle Kowalewski, the founder and director of the Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit. Experts urge that the relatively uncommon occurrence can present health issues. “Whales are mammals, and they can transmit diseases to humans and dogs,” Ms. Kowalewski told the News-Press.
“It’s really important to not touch them or get any of the oils on you or your dog.” CICRU was unable to determine the cause of death of the humpback whale, due to a phenomenon that occurs in stranded whales that Ms. Kowalewski referred to as “cooking.” “Whales are very well insulated (from blubber). As soon as they die, their organs start cooking. Their normal body heat is about 100 degrees,” she said. CICRU is a nonprofit that was founded in 2013 to respond to deceased cetaceans (aquatic mammals like whales and dolphins). The organization works to determine the health of the ocean in the Santa Barbara area and can be reached at 805500-6220. email: lhibbert@newspress.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOB QUACKENBUSH
The Westmont Warriors earned their way to the Avista NAIA World Series with a win over Benedictine Mesa on May 18. Below, senior pitcher Eric Oseguera helped lead the team to success.
By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Westmont College baseball, the fifth ranked team in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), is headed back to the Avista NAIA World Series located in Lewiston, Idaho. The Warriors punched their ticket to the tournament with a May 18 win over Benedictine Mesa in the NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round Tournament. On Russ Carr Field, Westmont defeated the second-seeded university by a score of 10-1. This year, the Warriors will be attempting to avenge their defeat from last year in the World Series. Last year was a Cinderella story that had the whole division talking, but now, the Warriors are ready to cement their names in the NAIA baseball world. After the successful year, last year’s head coach Rob Ruiz stepped down to take the Athletic Director position at Westmont and Tyler LaTorre was named the new coach. In his first season, LaTorre led the Warriors to a 43-8 record, and now, he has a chance for the ring. The Warriors have clearly dominated in the last year of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), and after this year, the Warriors will transition to NCAA Division 2.
Until then, they have unfinished business. Shortstop Robbie Haw and Pitcher Eric (Osy) Oseguera, two Westmont seniors, are leading the Warriors with pride as they finish out their Westmont baseball careers. Behind them is Chase Goddard, a second-year player who pitched a scoreless six innings against Benedictine Mesa. In those six innings, he only allowed three hits and set the Warriors up for success. The Warriors will take on the University of Cumberlands from Kentucky in their first-round matchup on May 26. This is the first time these two teams have ever met up. When talking to Sports Information Director Ron Smith, head coach LaTorre shared his vision for the future. “The special thing about this team is that every week we got better and better and gelled further and further,” explained LaTorre. “You could see the belief coming into play and they started to believe that this is something that we could do. You could see it in the details at practice.” The Patriots, a Mid-South Conference team, have an overall record of 49-6 and are coming into the World Series as the third ranked team in the NAIA.
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS
Remains of a juvenile humpback whale are seen at Padaro Beach in Carpinteria on Wednesday.
email: abahnsen@newspress.com
Mental health experts discuss issues impacting the Santa Barbara community By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Local mental health experts came together Tuesday night at the Pacifica Graduate Institute to discuss and educate on the recent issues and potential solutions surrounding the Santa Barbara community’s mental health. The panel was introduced by the President and CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute, Leonie Mattison, “Our expert alumni and faculty do not attempt to fix anybody, but rather invite every human being to be more curious about their experience and
self. We do not embrace any savior complex.” “In recent years the dialogue surrounding mental health has really gained attention,” said Danah Williams, panel moderator and CEO of California Coastal Counseling. “It’s a topic that transcends race, age and social status.” The panel of local experts started their conversation around the COVID-19 Pandemic. “All of us have our psychological San Andreas fault lines,” said Dr. Matthew Bennett, co-chair of the Pacifica psychology department. “Given the right psychological circumstances, those can
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“We still have a statewide shortage of therapists, and especially therapists that want to work in trauma,” said Barry Schoer, president and CEO of the Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara. “Who gets hurt the most by this? People with low incomes and minority groups, who will lose access.” Jonathan Thompson II offered a more personal perspective to aiding groups with less mental health treatment access. Focusing on the black community, the practicing psychologist said, “How do we break this stigma? The first part is just starting the conversation, creating the space, letting people know that if they open up you’ll be a listening
ear.” “In an African American family it’s about taking the opportunity to reframe a different narrative about modeling, not shaming. Not calling crazy, but addressing,” said Ms. Williams, the panel moderator. Looking forward in the field of psychology, Dr. Bennett said, “Where we can help is to find students who are warm and thoughtful and sensitive and in-tune, and then give them the skills to address the mental illnesses in their community, and hopefully have them stay for a little while.” email: news@newspress.com
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be disrupted. We are not coming back to the world that we knew.” Much of the discussion was about Zoom and other online platforms’ potential to be both a tool and a threat. “There are so many great things we’ve learned from the pandemic. Especially for youth, college-aged students, it’s important to have faceto-face interactions [while they are still developing], to have that light conversation in the office,” said Rachel Steidl, founder and executive director of Youthwell. The panel also offered some issues to be solved as society moves past the pandemic.
Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 3-7-8-22-40 Mega: 7
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 9-9-1-5
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 5-11-41-44-55 Mega: 14
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 5-10-23-35-37
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 09-06-02 Time: 1:43.40
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 12-21-44-50-58 Meganumber: 26
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 4-6-1 / Midday 6-2-2