A week to remember
Culinary multi-tasking
New Solvang restaurant features steaks, seafood, cocktail bar and pastries - B1
Our 165th Year
UCSB’s McLaughlin receives national and league Player of the Week awards - B4
75¢
T U E S DAY, J A N UA RY 2 6 , 2 0 21
State lifts stay-at-home order SB County OKs outdoor dining, leisure stays at hotel, barbershops, salons By DAVE MASON
INSIDE
NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO
“We have to stay vigilant. We have to wear masks. We have to be vaccinated whenever we can get vaccinated,” said Dr. Henning Ansorg, the Santa Barbara County public health officer.
The stay-at-home order has ended. The change represents progress with COVID-19 numbers and Intensive Care Unit capacity, and it means economic relief for businesses hit hard by the pandemic. California health officials lifted the order Monday for Santa Barbara County and the rest of Southern California, along with the Bay Area and the San Joaquin Valley. That means restaurants can again have outdoor dining and barbershops and hair and nail salons can reopen. The change also means museums, aquariums and zoos in Southern California can resume their outdoor operations. All of that is allowed with Santa Barbara County remaining in the purple or most restrictive tier. A county Public Health order, which explained the county is following the previous purple tier rules, takes effect this morning. Under that order, leisure travel can resume
Monday’s COVID-19 numbers. A2.
at hotels. The drive-in theaters in Goleta and Santa Maria, which were allowed to remain open during the lockdown, can continue to show movies. Outdoor fitness classes continue to operate. Restrictions that remain in place include the closure of indoor gyms and indoor movie theaters. Under the purple tier, shopping centers can open indoors with 25 percent capacity, but food courts must remain closed. Retail outlets and grocery stores can operate at 25 percent capacity. Family entertainment centers can reopen their outdoor operations with modifications. “This is a long-awaited day for Santa Barbara County’s hard-hit hospitality industry,” said Visit Santa Barbara President/
CEO Kathy Janega-Dykes. “We are grateful to our public officials for lifting some of the restrictions that have taken a heavy toll on so many local workers and struggling businesses,” she said in a statement. “Our community finally can start to get back to work and do what they do best with COVID-19 protocols in place. They are eager to safely welcome back residents and visitors to our restaurants, wineries, retail stores, lodging properties and other attractions.” Remaining closed are bars, breweries and distilleries where no meals are provided. Sports still can’t have audiences. In addition to the end of the regional stayat-home order, the limited stay-at-home order, which limited nonessential activities between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., also expired. In other breaking COVID-19 news, the state is expected to make a decision by today about when essential workers will start getting vaccinated, Dr. Henning Ansorg, the Santa Barbara County public health officer, told the Please see LOCKDOWN on A2
The calm after the storm
SANSUM CLINIC PHOTO
“There have been some slight increases in regional ICU capacity, but I was surprised it was lifted as soon as it was,” said Dr. David Fisk, Cottage Health’s medical director for infectious disease control and prevention.
Beach Bar-Cafe plans to close doors after 36 years
Break from blustery winds expected today By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Residents in Santa Barbara and the surrounding area can expect a calmer forecast today after a blustery Monday brought overnight showers and wind speeds of 40 to 50 mph. According to the National Weather Service, wind speeds reached 51 mph just after 1:30 a.m. Monday in Goleta, followed by rain accumulations of less than a tenth of an inch. Wind gusts of 40 mph were accompanied by rain accumulations of less than a tenth of inch overnight in Santa Barbara as well. According to meteorologist John Dumas, rain accumulations overnight Monday were greater in areas with higher elevation. In Santa Maria, accumulations totaled about a quarter of an inch. Today’s forecast calls for sunshine with a high of 60 degrees and a low of 45. Wind speeds are expected to rest Please see weather on A4
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
The beloved Beachside Bar-Cafe announced last week that it is closing at the end of January after 36 years in business. The restaurant has been an iconic spot for locals since 1985.
By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Palm fronds were blown across the Cabrillo Boulevard bike path Monday following a night of rain and heavy winds.
The restaurant is open for takeout until the end of the month. Since the announcement of its closing, General Manager Amado Simon said the restaurant has seen an overwhelming show of support from the community.
Patches of snowfall were visible at Los Padres National Forest in Santa Ynez Monday.
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ins id e Classified............... B4 Life..................... B1-2
For 30 years, the Beachside BarCafe at Goleta Beach Park has been Amado Simon’s home away from home. Mr. Simon spent his teenage years washing dishes at Beachside, and eventually, he worked his way up the chain to
become the general manager. Some of the locals he still serves today can remember when he was a young man bussing tables. Over the 30 years of his career at Beachside Bar-Cafe, he has seen countless employees form lifelong friendships and even find their spouse on staff at the restaurant. Please see restaurant on A4
Obituaries............. A4 Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A4
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 15-25-37-43-45 Meganumber: 12
Monday’s DAILY 4: 9-0-3-1
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 4-26-42-50-60 Meganumber: 24
Monday’s FANTASY 5: 16-20-25-30-36
Monday’s DAILY DERBY: 04-08-03 Time: 1:42.65
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 5-8-17-27-28 Meganumber: 14
Monday’s DAILY 3: 1-4-7 / Sunday’s Midday 5-2-4