Hip new hotel opens in Goleta
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Monarch butterflies make homes in Modoc eucalyptus trees
California bill slowing school closure process heads to Newsom By MADISON HIRNEISEN THE CENTER SQUARE
(The Center Square) – California lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk this week that would require cash-strapped school districts to run an “equity impact analysis” before closing a school. If enacted, supporters say it will require school districts to be transparent about the impact of closures beyond the fiscal cost. Lawmakers advanced Assembly Bill 1912 on Tuesday, which requires school districts to develop an equity impact analysis with metrics that analyze the condition of a school facility, the operating cost of the school, special programs available at the school, pupil demographics and transportation needs of students, among other things, before considering closure or consolidation. The bill’s author, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, introduced the measure in response to a decision by Oakland Unified School District in February to close seven schools, merge two and cut grades from two others over the next two years,
as previously reported by CBS Bay Area. The school district decided to close and consolidate these schools to access money promised in the 2021-2022 budget, according to Assemblymember Bonta. The decision was criticized by community members and students who said there was no community engagement or consideration of how school closures disproportionately impact Black students in Oakland, according to Assemblymember Bonta. “School closures affect more than its students’ education. It changes the landscape of a community,” Assemblymember Bonta wrote in support of the bill. “If the decisions are made without an equity lens, the results can be catastrophic for communities of color and student populations struggling to achieve academic success.” Assemblymember Bonta added that her bill directs school districts to conduct an equity impact study “to avoid another district in extreme financial distress from taking precipitous action in closing schools.” The bill garnered several supporters, including the Service Employees Please see BILL on A4
ShelterBox calls for renewed focus on Ukraine crisis By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS
Monarch butterflies are known to make their winter homes in the eucalyptus trees lining Modoc Road. BY KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Citizens who have expressed distress over the Modoc Multi-Use Path have many concerns. One of them is that the implementation of the path could impact the eucalyptus trees, where monarch butterflies have made their home. “It is safe to say that I and other members of CAMP are distressed that eucalyptus trees will be cut down,” Eva Inbar, CAMP
volunteer, told the News-Press in an email. One of the reasons for this is that the Eucalyptus trees are known as the monarch’s habitat. “Think of the Ellwood Monarch Grove! They are now in the Preserve mainly for the milkweed that was recently planted, but we cannot continue to destroy their habitat because these trees are non-native,” said Ms. Inbar. “Monarch butterflies use eucalyptus trees and other large
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trees as shelter during the winter months. At Goleta’s Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Grove, Tasmanian bluegum (eucalyptus globulus) is the tree species that forms most of the habitat they use during the winter. They migrate here in the fall, spend the winter in areas along the coast that have large, typically dense stands of trees, and then they leave in the spring to go to their breeding grounds located in the inland areas of the western U.S.
Elsewhere in the state, such as up in central California and the Bay Area, monarch butterflies use Monterey cypress, Monterey pine and Western sycamore for overwintering habitat. Down in mainland Mexico, oyamel fir is the main tree species used by monarchs for overwintering habitat,” George Thompson, Parks & Open Space Manager for the Public Works Department of Please see TREES on A4
As Wednesday was the sixmonth anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Santa Barbarabased global disaster relief organization ShelterBox USA called for renewed focus on the humanitarian crisis in the region and need for aid. “Today marks six months since the conflict in Ukraine began, forcing unprecedented numbers of people from their homes,” ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray said in a press release. “More than 12 million people are currently displaced, and there are no signs of the war letting up. ShelterBox is committed to supporting the emergency shelter needs of civilians caught in the conflict, and we hope the world will continue to focus on the dire humanitarian needs in the country.” More than 6.6 million refugees have fled the country, according to estimates by the United Nations, and another at least six million have been forced from their homes but have remained within Ukraine. ShelterBox quickly responded to the crisis, establishing three programs in the region. The first provided thousands of mattresses to collective
centers like schools, sports arenas and churches in western Ukraine. The second provided ShelterKits including tarpaulins, ropes and other tools for those in central Ukraine seeking to shelter in damaged homes. The third provided refugees leaving the country through Moldova with hygiene kits and cash assistance to help families meet food and medical needs while they are on the move. Moldova is one of the poorest and most isolated countries in Europe. It is not a member of the European Union or NATO. The situation continues to evolve, but the need remains severe. ShelterBox is now assessing its next programs in the country, which will likely focus on helping families endure the coming cold winter. “ShelterBox remains steadfast in its commitment to bring humanitarian supplies to the country … like ShelterKits to repair homes damaged by bombings and allow families to shelter in place, as well as essential supplies including solar lamps, which bring some comfort from basement shelters and evacuation shelters,” said Ms. Murray. email: kzehnder@newspress.com
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Classified................. B4 Life...................... B1-2 Obituaries............... A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 3-8-0-9
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 3-5-47-48-67 Meganumber: 7
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 4-6-15-19-30
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 01-04-02 Time: 1:41.07
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Sudoku................... B3 Sports . .................... A3 Weather................. A4
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 2-6-8 / Wednesday’s Midday 3-2-4