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Measure M to fund STEAM upgrades By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
RAFAEL MALDONADO/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
From left to right, magician Gene Urban attends the Magic Castle Cabaret in Montecito to entertain guests with tricks, along with Gina Carlson and Robert Hays, an actor well-known for his role as Ted Striker in “Airplane!” (1980).
More magic in Montecito
The Goleta Union School District has a lot planned for its students. That is, if it can pass Bond Measure M on Nov. 3. The measure seeks to issue $80 million in bonds to fund upgrades across the district’s 10 elementary schools. June 30, during a special session of the Goleta Union board meeting, members voted to put a bond measure on the ballot. “We’re not a district with crumbling facilities, but we want to put a long-term investment into the students,” said Susan Epstein, school board vice president. The main improvement is an upgrade to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) capabilities. Students would have a better opportunity to create and learn hands on. “It’s a way to make math and science come alive with kids,” she said. “It makes a child really light up and get excited.” She saw her children enjoy Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy during their time in high school. They used computer aided design software to 3Dprint art. For elementary students, there’s a focus on creativity. Students have freedom to explore while still meeting specifications. In one project,
By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Ron Ely sues county, Sheriff’s personnel in death of wife, son
By MITCHELL WHITE NEWS-PRESS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Arlene Larsen and her husband, Milt, own the Magic Castle Cabaret, and Mrs. Larsen creates her own gifts for Arlene’s Gift Shop, consisting of glamorous gowns, bedazzled face masks and right now, outrageous Halloween decor. Here, she provides hors d’oeuvres for members.
Locals united in disappointment at presidential debate By JOSH GREGA NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday night’s presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden may not change how they’re going to vote, but prominent Santa Barbara Republicans and Democrats by and large are united in the opinion that it was a thoroughly disappointing affair. President Trump’s interruptions of Mr. Biden and disregard for when his time to speak was up was a common complaint expressed by local Democrats. Santa Barbara County Democratic Party chair Gail Teton-Landis called the debate “an embarrassment for our
country and presidency” because of how the Commander in Chief interrupted his opponent and was allowed to do so. “I think that the debate was out of control, that Chris Wallace could be a more forceful moderator,” she said. “Donald Trump was not playing by the rules that were laid out for that debate, and he was an interrupter and a bully.” By contrast, Ms. Teton-Landis said the former vice president “stayed calm and was empathetic.” As far as policy goes, she believes Mr. Biden “did his best to provide an environmental plan and an economic plan.” Please see debate on A2
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Please see measure m on A2
‘Tarzan’ actor files wrongful death lawsuit
Gift shop opens at Magic Castle Cabaret TV shows and hosted countless parties, galas and society events throughout the state. Her husband, Milt Larsen, and Nestled in a corner right his late brother, Bill, co-founded off Highway 101 is a magical, the world-renowned Magic mesmerizing and merry marvel. Castle in Hollywood in the early The Magic Castle Cabaret Gift 1960s, and the Larsens together Shop is all but an ordinary gift founded Magic shop — it’s a unique experience for all To see streaming video Castle Cabaret in Montecito a few who enter. GO TO ago, decking it Located at the newspress.com years out to the nines for Magic Castle Cabaret each holiday. at 30 Los Patos Way Arlene’s Gift Shop boasts in Montecito, the building may ornate jewelry, gleaming party look average from the outside, gowns, candles, furs and of but the inside takes members to a course, bedazzled face coverings different world, one full of magic, as a sign of the times. She also glitz and glamor. creates seasonal decor, right And it’s owned and stocked by now featuring one-of-a-kind yard none other than Arlene Larsen, a costume designer who has been featured in a number of Please see cabaret on A7
the students build bridges out of popsicle sticks. “Hands-on learning experiences help our students be ready for the workforce in the future,” she said. “Students doing hands-on projects and working with teams is what companies are asking for.” The district also seeks to add a solar parking shade structure. It would cover utility costs and store power, so students won’t experience an outage. Many of the schools’ roofs are 40 years old and have needed frequent patching, so the board hopes to be able to replace roofs across the district. Roof replacement costs about $2 million per building, with some schools requiring $3 million. Earlier this year, the district outlined a master plan for its facilities. The total price tag is more than $213 million. It includes more ambitious designs, but the district knows the bond wouldn’t cover such an extensive renovation. The plan began a few years ago, but the board paused discussion to make sure it could feed students and meet their needs during COVID-19. Right now, the district is installing MERV-13 filters throughout buildings to ensure healthy air. It has also purchased tents for outdoor learning. “We’re working really hard to
A federal wrongful death lawsuit has been filed on behalf of “Tarzan” actor and Hope Ranch resident Ron Ely in connection with the October 2019 death of his wife, Valerie, and son, Cameron. An initial lawsuit was filed last summer. An amended complaint, obtained by the News-Press, was filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The complaint alleges violations of the Fourth and 14th amendments, civil rights, state law and the state Tort Claims Act. Named as defendants are multiple members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and Santa Barbara
County. The lawsuit specifically named the deputies involved in the shooting of 30-year-old Cameron Ely, including Sgt. Desiree Thome, Deputy Jeremy Rogers, Deputy Phillip Farley and Deputy John Gruttadaurio. Around 8 p.m. Oct. 15, 2019, Cameron called 911, requesting emergency personnel to the residence at 4141 Mariposa Drive in Hope Ranch, “because his mother, Decedent Valerie, 62, was attacking his father,” the lawsuit states. “The call abruptly ended before dispatchers could ask questions.” When dispatch called back, Ron answered — though he was “unable to clearly communicate with dispatchers” due to medical difficulties. The lawsuit notes that he attempted Please see lawsuit on A2
Comics on hold DAVE MASON/NEWS-PRESS
President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden faced off in the first of three presidential debates on Tuesday evening.
Comics are going on a temporary hiatus, starting with today’s News-Press. The change comes during a time when we are expanding our coverage of local news and sports. We appreciate readers’ patience during this change. One thing that will never change is our commitment to indepth local coverage.
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L O T T E RY RESU LTS
Classified.............. A7 Life.................... A 3-4 Obituaries............. A7
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 3-23-28-46-47 Meganumber: 25
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 6-0-1-2
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS:14-39-43-44-67 Meganumber: 19
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 4-11-16-32-35
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 02-07-03 Time: 1:42.26
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 14-18-36-49-67 Meganumber: 18
Soduku................. A5 Sports ................... A8 Weather................ A8
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 9-3-1 / Wednesday’s Midday 3-9-0