Santa Barbara News-Press: April 18, 2023

National Player of the Week

spaceX ready to soar again

After Friday’s successful launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, SpaceX prepares for upcoming flight test for Starship from Texas

sentencing delayed for s anta

Maria drug dealer

Detectives confiscated about 17,000 pills laced with fentanyl

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A convicted Santa Maria drug dealer will have another month and a half to wait until he knows how long he’ll be sentenced to serve in federal prison beyond the time he’s already spent behind bars in Santa Barbara County Jail and the federal Men’s Detention Center in Los Angeles.

That’s because the longawaited sentencing of Victor Anthony Olivera Hernandez, 22, was postponed Monday.

“The defendant’s sentencing hearing was continued to June 1 at 8 a.m. in Los Angeles,” Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told the News-Press.

Mr. Olivera Hernandez had been scheduled to stand trial in February after he initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, but he switched his plea to guilty on Dec. 8. He faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison to a maximum of life imprisonment when he is sentenced in U.S. District Court.

surveilling him selling drugs, starting in July.

When they stopped his car, officers found two clear plastic bags, each containing approximately 10 blue “M30” pills of suspected fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, in his pants’ pocket. Blue “M30” pills are often counterfeit oxycodone pills that contain fentanyl.

Then they searched his house and backyard in the 100 block of Curryer Street in Santa Maria.

During their search, detectives confiscated about 17,000 pills laced with fentanyl, 22.5 pounds of cannabis flower, 27 grams of MDMA or Ecstasy, 218 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, three grams of cocaine and hundreds of acid tabs.

Some of the drugs seized were found in areas accessible to children living there.

Mr. Olivera Hernandez told detectives that all he sold was marijuana, and that the other drugs they found did not belong to him and that he was holding them for another individual.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

The sky’s the limit for SpaceX — as long as the weather cooperates.

Weather conditions postponed SpaceX’s launches repeatedly last week at Vandenberg Space Force Base until finally, close to midnight Friday, the Falcon 9 rocket took off from Space Launch Complex 4E and brought the Transporter-7 mission into orbit.

Weather conditions were much better on Friday night than on Thursday, Jesse Anderson of SpaceX told people watching the livestream at SpaceX.com. She was speaking

from SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne. She said the flight marked SpaceX’s 24th launch for the year.

The launch happened without any problem, with an announcer saying, “Go, Falcon! Go, Transporter” as the bright flames lit up the night.

Over in Montecito, Westmont College student Gavin Stay took a photo of the long trail of flames, as seen from the night sky with the Westmont Observatory in the foreground.

And a sonic boom — the result of SpaceX flying faster than the speed of sound — was heard throughout Santa Barbara County.

On board the flight were 51 spacecraft,

including CubeSats, MicroSats, hosted payloads and orbital transfer vehicles.

SpaceX’s adventures are continuing at Starbase in Texas as Elon Musk’s company prepares for Thursday’s launch for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket. The 62-minute launch window is scheduled to start at 6:28 a.m. Pacific time. The launch will stream live at SpaceX.com, but like all SpaceX flights, it could be delayed by the weather.

Starship is designed to transport astronauts and cargo from Earth to the moon — and eventually to Mars and beyond. dmason@newspress.com

Bonta announces 17 felony arrests in connection to mass shootings

By TOM JOYCE

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

California Attorney General

Rob Bonta, Yuba City Police Chief

Brian Baker and Sutter County

District Attorney Jennifer Dupré announced 17 felony arrests in California after a months-long investigation into rival criminal syndicates on Monday.

The groups committed many crimes, including five attempted murders in Sutter, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Yolo and Merced counties.

Additionally, members of these groups allegedly had involvement with a mass shooting at a Stockton Sikh temple on August 27, 2022, and a Sacramento Sikh temple shooting on March 23, 2023.

Law enforcement prevented two more shootings from occurring due to its investigation, according to a press release from Mr. Bonta’s office.

The investigation culminated on Sunday when law enforcement agents issued search warrants at 20 locations and seized 41 firearms.

“Today, California is safer thanks to collaboration,

determination, and swift action by DOJ agents and our law enforcement partners in Sutter County,” Mr. Bonta said in the release. “No family should ever have to worry about drive-by shootings or other forms of gun violence in the neighborhoods where their children live and play. As a result of this joint law enforcement effort, we’re taking guns off the street and putting suspected gang members and their associates behind bars. Together, we’re putting public safety first. Thank you to our law enforcement partners across the state for working with us day in and day out to protect the people of California.”

The investigation started in February 2023. It was a cooperative effort with the Yuba Sutter Narcotic and Gang Enforcement Task Force (NET5), Yuba City Police Department, California Department of Justice (DOJ) Special Operations Unit, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Special Operations Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Sutter County District Attorney’s Office,

according to the release.

The investigation also received assistance from the California Highway Patrol, Woodland Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Merced County Sheriff’s Office, Vacaville Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Stanislaus Special Investigations Unit, and several local, state, and federal task forces.

When law enforcement officials took action on Sunday, they also received assistance from the California Highway Patrol, Stockton Police Department, Ceres Police Department, Manteca Police Department, Merced Police Department, Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tracy Police Department.

“Through collaboration, the California Department of Justice’s Special Operations Unit provides statewide enforcement for combating violent crime, organized criminal activity, gangs, and organized crime groups, as well as intrastate drug trafficking,” the release from Bonta’s office said. “The unit uses the latest technology and advanced investigative

techniques to work alongside local law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state.

Detectives with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Bureau of Investigations arrested Mr. Olivera Hernandez on Aug. 4 after collecting evidence and

He originally was prosecuted locally, but then the U.S. Attorney’s Office reached out and said it wanted to prosecute him on federal charges. Santa Barbara County prosecutors readily agreed. email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS Santa Barbara Airport staff will discuss the master plan update today before the Santa Barbara City Council.

SB City Council to hear update on airport plan

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara Airport staff today will provide a progress report to the City Council on SBA’s Master Plan Update, the first of a four-meeting blitzkrieg they are unleashing this week to garner support from city officials and the public.

The council will meet at Santa Barbara City Hall, 735 Anacapa St., starting at 2 p.m.

“This informational item is the beginning of the public outreach on the process and an invitation to participate in the future of the

SBA and possible new projects,” airport staff said.

The objective is to provide the community and public officials with proper guidance for future airport development, which will satisfy aviation demands and be wholly compatible with the environment.

Informational meetings will also be held with the Airport Commission on Wednesday, the Planning Commission on Thursday and the public at an airport open house, also on Thursday.

The draft plan will be

Please see COUNCIL on A4

Hypnotist James Kellogg Jr. to lead volunteers in on-stage adventures at Santa Barbara Fair and Expo - B1

Attorney General Rob Bonta

GAVIN STAY / SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS Westmont Observatory is in the foreground of this photo taken of Friday’s SpaceX launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Westmont student Gavin Stay took this photo and emailed it to the News-Press.

Man surrenders to police after standoff

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Police arrested a 64year-old resident Monday after a nearly two-hour standoff in which he barricaded himself in a Cambria Way residence following a domestic disturbance.

Police received a report of a domestic disturbance in progress around 12:17 p.m. Monday that was occurring in the 800 block of Cambria Way.

Officers arrived on the scene and safely removed the adult female victim from the situation.

The male suspect involved refused to exit the residence once police arrived. The Santa Barbara Police Crisis Negotiation Response Team and Special Weapons and Tactics Team responded to the scene.

After about two hours of negotiations, the suspect surrendered to officers without incident and was arrested at 2:28 p.m.

The arrestee was identified as a 64-year-old man who lives in Santa Barbara. He was transported to Santa Barbara County Jail in Santa Barbara and booked on suspicion of felony domestic battery. His bail is set at $50,000.

— Neil Hartstein

Lompoc police respond to shooting

LOMPOC — Lompoc Police responded to an early morning shooting scene Monday on Pine Avenue and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. Police responded at 8:39 a.m. to the 400 block of West Pine Avenue regarding the shooting. Once officers arrived, they located a 62-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his right leg.

Once the scene was safe, AMR and Lompoc Fire arrived to treat the male victim. He was airlifted to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital based on the life-threatening injury he had received. Lompoc High School was not placed

Abortion battle heats up nationwide

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted a lower court’s ruling restricting an abortion pill until Wednesday night. The hold will give the Supreme Court time to review the controversial legal battle over mifespristone, the drug in question, and is the latest chapter in an ongoing battle on this issue since the high court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

The Friday ruling came after the Biden administration requested the high court preserve access to the abortion pill, seen by many as a way for Americans to skirt state laws limiting abortion.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled in favor last week of more restrictions on mifespristone, an abortion-inducing pill, notably that it can no longer be distributed via mail.

That court found that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ignored alarming data about the safety of the pill and removed safeguards, possibly for political reasons, in the last year of the Obama administration.

“Imagine that an agency compiles studies about how cars perform when they have passive restraint systems, like automatic seatbelts,” the court said. “For nearly a decade, the agency collects those studies and continues studying how cars perform with passive safety measures. Then one day the agency changes its mind and eliminates passive safety measures based only on existing data of how cars perform with passive safety measures. That was obviously arbitrary and capricious in [an earlier 1983 case] State Farm. And so too here.”

The court also said that the FDA misrepresented data in a troubling way.

“Second, the 2016 Major REMS Changes eliminated the requirement that non-fatal adverse events must be reported to FDA. After eliminating that adverse-event reporting requirement, FDA turned around in 2021 and declared the absence of non-fatal adverse-event reports means mifepristone is ‘safe.’ This ostrich’s-head-in-the-sand approach is deeply troubling.”

The FDA took fire after the fifth circuit court’s ruling.

“The FDA put politics ahead of the health of women and girls when it failed to study how dangerous the chemical abortion drug regimen is and when it unlawfully removed every meaningful

safeguard, even allowing for mail-order abortions,” Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Denise Harle said.

Democrats were quick to blast the ruling.

“This is a step toward a nationwide abortion ban,” Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on Twitter.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday that he “strongly disagrees” with the ruling, and the filing to the Supreme Court came in soon after.

“The course of this litigation has been troubling at every level,” that filling reads.

The litigation in question, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, began in November of last year when a coalition of pro-life groups filed a lawsuit in Texas against the FDA over the abortion pill.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, the battlefield has majorly shifted on this issue.

Given new latitude by the Supreme Court, states have been passing laws either clamping down or opening up abortion access, depending on their political leanings.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the “Heartbeat Protection Act” that banned abortions after a heartbeat is detectable, at about 6 weeks of life.

Women who have experienced rape, incest, or human trafficking have longer, up to 15 weeks, to have an abortion. The law allows exceptions for when the life of the mother is at risk as well.

“Thank you [DeSantis] for having the courage to do the right thing,” said Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life. “You are setting the standard for GOP and they should follow your lead.”

These debates likely mean whichever party controls the next majority, and the White House, will have the ability to codify federal restrictions, or protections, for abortion pills and abortion access generally during that Congress, meaning Roe v. Wade’s overturning did not end the abortion fight but increased it.

In July, President Joe Biden decried the decision and doubled down, pledging to use the full force of his administration to increase abortion access as much as possible in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“HHS will increase outreach and public education efforts regarding access to reproductive health care services – including abortion – to ensure that Americans have access to reliable and accurate information about their rights and access to care,” the White House said at the time.

State prosecutors ask Supreme Court to protect veterans’ rights

By SARAH RODERICK-FITCH

THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Virginia

Attorney General Jason Miyares is leading a bipartisan group of attorneys general from 33 states and the District of Columbia in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case of a veteran denied certain educational benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. Miyares and the coalition of attorneys general assert Virginia resident and decorated Army veteran Jason Rudisill was wrongly denied his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

After completing his first tour of duty, Mr. Rudisill, as an enlisted soldier, utilized his Montgomery GI Bill benefits to complete his undergraduate degree.

“[Rudisill] was twice honorably discharged, and relied on approximately 25 months of education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill before November 2007 to obtain his undergraduate degree. He then reenlisted, was commissioned as an officer, and served a third tour from 2007 to 2011,” according to the brief filed by the state prosecutors.

After completing his third tour of duty, Mr. Rudisill was accepted into Yale Divinity School with hopes of returning to the armed forces as a chaplain.

Mr. Rudisill attempted to use his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, but the VA denied his request. The VA defended its decision by saying Mr. Rudisill was not entitled to use both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

The VA specifies veterans’ preference in deciding which GI Bill they opt to utilize, “If you’re eligible for more than

one education benefit, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill, you must choose which benefit to receive.”

Advocates for Mr. Rudisill argue veterans with “multiple requisite periods of service” are entitled up to 48 months of educational benefits.

During Mr. Rudisill’s third tour of duty Congress passed the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

“He applied for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits based on his understanding that, under the Bill, he had approximately 22 months of education benefits remaining out of his 48 aggregate months,” the brief explained.

The VA determined Mr. Rudisill’s Post-9/11 benefits would be limited to 10 months and 16 days, “because [Rudisill] had used some of his entitled benefits under the prior version of the GI Bill.”

The Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill entitle eligible veterans to receive up to 36 months of tuition payouts. The Montgomery GI Bill offers up to a set monthly amount, which is sent directly to the student. The Post9/11 GI Bill, pays the tuition to the school. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill students are eligible for housing or book stipends, which is not included under the Montgomery GI Bill.

The coalition of attorneys general contends hundreds of thousands of veterans’ “rights” are in “jeopardy” by the Federal Circuit’s decision and are requesting the Supreme Court “secure” those rights by striking the lower court’s decision.

The state prosecutors say the decision made by the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit to uphold the VA’s decision in the case of Rudisill v. McDonough, could negatively impact post-9/11

on lockdown as there was no immediate threat. The investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Lompoc Police Department.

— Neil Hartstein

Caltrans plans

Seacliff ramp closures

VENTURA — Caltrans plans daytime closures of Seacliff offand on-ramps on southbound Highway 101 near Ventura through Friday, as well as

overnight closure of Seacliff off- and on-ramps and one southbound lane on Friday. Signs will be posted. Motorists can expect delays. All work is subject to change due to weather or construction-related issues.

During the day Tuesday through Friday, Seacliff off- and on-ramps will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Friday, Seacliff off- and onramps will be closed from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday. In addition, one southbound lane will be closed from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday.

One southbound lane and two northbound lanes will remain open overnight. Two lanes in both directions will be open during the day. Check http://quickmap.dot.

ca.gov for real-time traffic information.

Motorists traveling south on Highway 101 can reach state beaches on State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) by continuing to the Main Street off-ramp in Ventura, U-turn to northbound U.S. 101 and exit at the State Beaches off-ramp.

La Conchita residents traveling south can use the same route but continue north on U.S. Highway 101. Residents and businesses located near the freeway may experience noise, vibrations and dust associated with construction activities. Caltrans reminds drivers to “Be Work Zone Alert” and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

— Neil Hartstein

The coalition of attorneys general assert Virginia resident and decorated Army veteran Jason Rudisill was wrongly denied his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

veterans.

“The Federal Circuit took away both James Rudisill and thousands of other post 9/11 veterans’ GI education benefits,” said Mr. Miyares. “This decision actively hurts veterans’ reentry into civilian life and deprives them of earned benefits.”

Mr. Miyares is concerned the decision will negatively impact veterans as they transition out of the military.

“Over 700,000 veterans live in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This decision actively hurts veterans’ reentry into civilian life and deprives them of earned benefits,” Mr. Miyares said.

The Center Square reached out to the VA for comment; it had yet to respond at the time of publication.

State prosecutors joining Miyares are from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.

AG

charges ring of alleged thieves targeting Home Depot

By TOM JOYCE

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square)California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrests and charges against three people involved in an organized retail theft operation.

Mr. Bonta announced this along with the California Highway Patrol and other partnering agencies.

The three individuals are accused of targeting Home Depot in an operation that stole over $75,000 worth of goods from the hardware store chain.

The individuals allegedly started their theft operation in October 2021, primarily stealing power tools.

“Organized retail theft costs businesses, retailers, and consumers – and puts the public at risk,” Mr. Bonta said in a press release.

“Brazen criminal activity, such as the organized retail theft operation we have taken down today, will not be tolerated in California. I want to thank our law enforcement partners, including the California Highway Patrol, for their work in apprehending these suspects and for our continued collaborative efforts to end organized retail theft. With these charges, we’re moving forward to hold these defendants accountable.”

The California Highway Patrol’s Southern Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) investigators served search and arrest warrants in the case at a few different locations in Southern California on April 12. The ORCTF did so with the assistance of investigators from CHP’s Border Division, and in cooperation with The Home Depot’s organized retail crime investigators, according to the release.

The alleged crimes happened in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties.

The suspects face multiple felony charges, including organized retail theft, grand theft, and receiving stolen property.

Mr. Bonta has made retail crime prevention a priority, according to a release from his office. The office asks people to submit complaints and tips about retail crime to https://oag.ca.gov/bi/retail-theft/ report.

SBCC Student exhibition to start

SANTA BARBARA -– The Art Department at Santa Barbara City College will present the opening reception for the 2023 Annual Student Exhibition from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The exhibit includes the entire range of media and art that is taught in the department, which includes 2D design, 3D design, ceramics, drawing, painting,

printmaking and sculpture. The Art Department Awards and Scholarships will be announced at 4 p.m. The exhibition will remain open until May 12. The gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, as well as by appointment. For more information, contact the Gallery Director John Connelly at jconnelly1@pipeline.sbcc.edu.

— Kira Logan

SANTA BARBARA — Movie and TV star Jane Seymour will be the keynote speaker when the Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative Inspire Luncheon takes place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 26 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront, 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd.

Today’s the deadline to purchase tickets. To do so, go to inspire2023.givesmart. com or contact Executive Director Lindsey Leonard at lmleonard@alz.org or 805-6170226.

Dave Mason

—

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VOL. 167 NO.

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Alzheimer’s luncheon deadline is today

Gutierrez returns to Gauchos’ rotation in series finale

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

After missing two weeks, Mike Gutierrez returned to the mound for the UCSB baseball team (22-11, 7-5 Big West) on Sunday, working the first 2 2/3 innings of the final game in the Gauchos’ series against UC Irvine (21-11, 7-8 Big West). Gutierrez struck out two Anteaters but allowed two earned runs, and was saddled with the loss in UCSB’s 13-1 defeat.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The good news for the Gauchos on Sunday was not only that Gutierrez was back healthy, but that he looked pretty much, if not entirely himself on the mound, especially in the first two innings. He struck out the first batter he faced, then induced a double play to erase a one-out single and end the first inning. In the second, he worked around a lead-off single, and was one out away from doing the same in the third. A pair of two-out singles brought home a run for Irvine and ended Gutierrez’s afternoon after 52 pitches.

Reed Moring relieved the lefty, but got into trouble before getting out of the third, with a hit batter loading the bases and a wild pitch bringing in the run from third. Unfortunately, things would only get more out of hand from there. Irvine tallied four more runs in the top of the fifth, beginning with a two-run homer. Later in the frame, Hudson Barrett relieved Moring and looked to have gotten out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam with a double play, but on review, the runner was safe at first, scoring another run for the visitors. They would add a fourth in the frame, making it 6-0.

But the Gauchos had come back from a seven-run deficit less than 24 hours prior, so by no means were they out of the game. In the bottom of the sixth, John

Newman, Jr. provided a spark. His pinch-hit double down the right field line scored Broc Mortensen from second to get UCSB on the board. However, unlike Saturday night, the spark did not catch, despite plenty of “almost” moments for the Gauchos.

In the bottom of the first, Christian Kirtley almost hit his 11th home run of the season, but it went just foul down the left field line. In the bottom of the fourth, down just two runs, UCSB had the bases loaded with just one out, but left all three runners stranded. In total, the Gauchos got nine runners into scoring position on Sunday. Irvine scored one run in the seventh on a solo home run, then added three in the eighth and three more in the ninth to finish off their 13-1 win.

ON THE STAT SHEET

• LeTrey McCollum extended his hit streak to 20 games on Sunday.

• Barrett was not charged with a run through his 1 2/3 innings of work on Sunday; the freshman has only allowed three runs all season, and holds an ERA of 0.83.

• Aaron Parker led the Gauchos at the plate Sunday afternoon, going 3-for-4.

UP NEXT

The Gauchos will hit the road this week, with their next game today against Pepperdine in Malibu. First pitch against the Waves is set for 3 p.m. with a live stream, audio broadcast, and live stats all linked on ucsbgauchos.com.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

UCSB’s Kirtley earns National Player of the Week honors

By ERIC BOOSE

UCSB SPORTS WRITER

Following a tremendous week at the plate, UCSB’s Christian Kirtley has been named one of the National Players of the Week by Collegiate Baseball News, the publication announced on Monday.

The redshirt senior outfielder hit four home runs across the Gauchos’ five games against San Jose State and UC Irvine, posting a .389 average and an OPS of 1.633 for the week. His first two homers came in Monday’s game against the Spartans, with the second winning the game in walk-

off fashion for Santa Barbara.

Kirtley hit two more home runs in the series opener against UC Irvine, making him the first hitter in The Big West to crack double-digit homers this season. He is also the second Gaucho this season with multiple multi-homer games.

Even when pitchers managed to keep Kirtley in the yard, they could not keep him off base. He reached safely in all five games this week, working a pair of walks in his only hitless outing. In total, he added a double, two singles, and four walks to his four home runs.

He was flawless with the glove

as well, both in left field and behind the plate as an emergency catcher on Tuesday. When Aaron Parker left the game after being hit on his glove hand, Kirtley came in from left and caught the final 5 2/3 innings.

Kirtley and the Gauchos hit the road for four games this week, traveling to Malibu for a midweek matchup with Pepperdine this afternoon, then to La Jolla for a three-game weekend series against UC San Diego.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

UCSB softball drops series finale against Long Beach State

By NICK MATHEY UCSB SPORTS WRITER

Looking to bounce back after dropping game two of the doubleheader in yesterday’s matchup, the Gauchos were unable to get the bats going and were held scoreless.

A base hit in the first inning with two walks in the third and a walk in the fifth was all the offense the Gauchos could produce against Long Beach State ace, Shannon Haddad.

A four-run first inning for Long Beach gave them all the momentum they would need for the game.

A 12-hit performance by the LBSU offense carried them to victory in the series finale.

Long Beach State put up two runs in the third and three runs in the fourth to cap off the scoring and secure the victory 9-0.

Ilona Sullivan came into the game in relief and kept the Long Beach offense at bay allowing just two hits and no runs, but the 9-0 margin was too much for the Gauchos to overcome as they fell in the series finale.

“Tough day for us, we didn’t play well right from the get-go,” said UCSB Head Coach Jo Evans. “You have to have your pitchers in the circle give you some outs and set the tempo for the game. We got hit hard, but I thought Sully (Sullivan) came in at the end and gave us the most quality innings. She threw well and was staying ahead of hitters, but Long Beach, tip your cap to them, they are a really good ballclub and rebounded from a game one loss. We didn’t do a good job of making adjustments at the plate. We didn’t take care of the ball on defense. Overall, I didn’t see that confidence or our players playing with some of that swagger.”

UP NEXT

The Gauchos will travel to Cal State Fullerton for a three-game set against the Titans. Game one of the series will be Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Nick Mathey writes about sports for UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

UCSB men’s basketball inks Jason Fontenet Jr.

By KRISTEN KELLER UCSB SPORTS

The UCSB men’s basketball team is excited to add Jason Fontenet Jr. to the roster beginning this fall, the program announced today.

“I am really excited about the signing of Jason Fontenet,” said Head Coach Joe Pasternack.

“Jason is the perfect fit for UC Santa Barbara. His talents as a player and his excellence in the classroom will help him stand out

on campus.”

Fontenet comes to Santa Barbara from Bella Vista Prep in Arizona. The 6-foot-6-inch guard is capable of playing both guard positions as the Gauchos look for him to make an immediate impact in The Big West. His strong senior season helped him stand out amongst other players in the country as he earned Grind Session’s Player of the Week honors, putting up 35 points against prep powerhouse Huntington Prep (WV). Basketball runs in the family as his father was a standout point

guard for Oregon State. He will join this Gaucho team that is coming off their second March Madness appearance in three seasons. The Gauchos ended the 2022-23 season with an overall record of 27-8 with a Big West record of 15-5.

Kristen Keller is the associate athletic director for communications and digital strategy at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

UCSB men’s tennis rolls past Anteaters

By NICK MATHEY UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The UCSB men’s tennis team (19-3, 4-1 Big West) earned its 19th victory of the season with a 4-1 victory at the Arnhold Tennis Center on Sunday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

UCSB took the early lead after gaining the doubles point. Luka Mrsic and Conrad Brown

earned a 6-3 victory on court two. On court three Gianluca Brunkow and Pablo Masjuan also earned a 6-3 victory.

Conrad Brown earned the second point for the Gauchos with a straight-set victory on court six, defeating his opponent 6-1 and 6-4.

UC Irvine cut the lead in half with a win on court five but UCSB went on to win the next two matches to earn the win.

Phillip Jordan gave the Gauchos a 3-1 lead with a straight-set 6-4, 6-3 victory on court one. UCSB clinched the match when Luka Mrsic

downed his opponent in straight sets, 6-2 and 6-4.

UP NEXT

UCSB will host Cal Poly for their last regular season match of the 2023 season. Match time is set for 12 p.m. on Sunday.

Nick Mathey writes about sports for UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

Most recent Airport Master Plan was completed in 2017

Continued from Page A1

reviewed this fall. The council, upon a recommendation from the Airport Commission, will make the final decision on the draft plan.

SBA is a “small hub” airport currently served by United, Alaska, American and Southwest airlines and their affiliates.

Since the new Airline Terminal opened in August 2011, SBA has experienced approximately 40% growth in enplanements (i.e. commercial passenger boardings).

An Airport Master Plan evaluates an airport’s needs over a 20-year planning period for airfield, terminal areas and landside facilities.

“The goal is to document the

orderly development of facilities essential to meet an airport’s needs, in accordance with FAA standards, and in a manner complementary with community interests,” staff said.

“The plan results in a 20-year development for a financially resilient facility, reflective of the updated Airport Capital Improvement Plan ….”

The airport’s capital project program is “demand-based,” i.e. development occurs in response to reasonably anticipated demand for facilities.

“An approved plan shows how an airport will satisfy FAA design standards and seek project funding eligible under the respective federal and state airport aid programs.”

In 2012, an aviation forecast was prepared in support of the 2017 Airport Master Plan, which

identified growth in commercial aviation at SBA reaching 657,000 annual enplanements by the year 2032.

While the most recent Airport Master Plan was completed in 2017, FAA guidance encourages updating such plans every five to 10 years. Such updates account for changes in conditions and operations, such as the recent change in fleet mix from regional jets to widebody jets at SBA, and to ensure that the document is responsive to current and forecasted needs.

In 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Terminal Area Forecast estimated SBA exceeding 668,777 annual enplanements in 2026. Thus, the most recent forecast indicates that the 2017 AMP build-out figure of 657,000 annual enplanements may be exceeded by 2026.

SBA initiated a Master Plan Update in 2022 to account for additional growth that is currently outpacing the 2017 airport master plans and most recent terminal area forecast.

In September 2022, a series of meetings were held with various SBA and community stakeholders. These meetings were conducted in person at SBA and included representatives from the city of Goleta, Visit Santa Barbara, UCSB, Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, SBA commercial and general aviation representatives, and more.

The FAA grants fund will cover 90.66% of city staff time as well as consultant costs for the MPU.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Several meetings to cover airport master plan

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

In addition to appearing at today’s council meeting, Santa Barbara Airport officials will be on hand at three more meetings this week to update public officials and residents on the progress of the Airport Master Plan Update.

On Wednesday, the Airport Commission will provide the public with another chance to learn about the SBA Master Plan Update. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Airport Administration Conference Room, 601 Firestone Road.

And on Thursday, airport officials will present their SBA Master Plan Update to the Santa Barbara Planning Commission, which is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. in City Council chambers at 735 Anacapa St.

The Planning Commission would consider approval of any future related environmental

review or coastal development permits related to projects identified in the Master Plan Update.

Also on Thursday, SBA has invited the community to join an interactive Open House on the SBA Master Plan Update. The Open House will be held from 4-6 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Airport Administration Building, 601 Firestone Road.

The objective of the SBA Master Plan Update is to provide the community and public officials with proper guidance for future development, which will satisfy aviation demands and be wholly compatible with the environment. This project will update the 2017 SBA Master Plan and will focus on preparing for coming air service trends, promoting financial resiliency and addressing environmental challenges.

The Open House will provide community members an opportunity to discuss the Master

Newsom welcomes decision to follow California’s lead on Medi-Cal for DACA kids

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - Like an encore performance, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced April 13, that the Biden administration is following California’s lead, and expanding federal health care services to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients. Just two days ago, the Biden administration followed California’s lead on transitioning to zero-emissions vehicles through policymaking.

“California is stronger and more vibrant because of our diversity, and we believe all residents should have access to high-quality health care, regardless of age, income, or immigration status, the fiscally sound move and it leads to better health outcomes and quality of life,” Gov. Newsom said.

DACA recipients receive prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against them. The DACA final rule published on August 30, 2022 codifies existing policies with limited changes to preserve and fortify DACA. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services state “Currently valid grants of DACA, related employment authorization, and advance parole will continue to be recognized as valid under the final rule.”

For Gov. Newsom, the Biden administration’s decision to expand federal health care services to DACA grantees, was seen as a victory for immigrants brought to California illegally while they were still children.

“Today’s news is a victory for the over 200,000 DACA recipients who call California home. However, it is crucial for Republicans in Congress to take action and finally create a meaningful pathway to citizenship,” Gov. Newsom urged.

In California, access to full scope Medi-Cal has been rapidly expanding to include illegal immigrants, and all income-eligible Californians regardless of age.

“Today, my administration is announcing our plan to expand health coverage for Dreamers, the thousands of young people brought to the U.S. as kids,” a Tweet from the president said.

The announcement was met with mixed reaction on Twitter.

“Where’s MY free healthcare? I’m a legal citizen who pays taxes,” Mark Jeffery asked in his tweet. It was a sentiment shared by Bruni Lawson who suggested “How about expanding health coverage for the Americans who’ve been here for generations, just a thought.”

“Well. The legal pathways to immigration as of now are extremely limited. You only get a green card through sponsorship of an employer or through a spouse. Unlike Canada and Australia, there ain’t a point based merit system or long residency,” Harhsit Thacker wrote.

Gov. Newsom is pleased that the decision is seen as one that’s built on California’s leadership stating “President Biden is stepping up to ensure greater access to health care for DACA recipients – who contribute greatly to our country – building on California’s leadership.”

Plan Update process and provide input. Airport staff and members of the consultant team will be available to take comments, answer questions, discuss points of interest and hear ideas.

To learn more, view the current SBA Master Plan documents, and sign up for future notifications on the topic, visit FlySBA.com/ MPU.

Santa Barbara Airport noted it served more than 1.2 million passengers in 2022 and is leading California airports in post-pandemic commercial service recovery. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines serve the airport with 20 daily departures to 10 non-stop destinations – Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Seattle.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

Americans less concerned about environment as regulatory battle hits fever pitch

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – As the battle over the controversial federal WOTUS environmental rule heats up, new polling shows that Americans are growing less concerned about the environment.

Newly released Gallup polling found a dip in environmental concerns, even though the Biden administration continues to push increasingly farreaching policies.

“The percentages of Americans expressing a great deal of worry about air pollution and the loss of tropical rain forests have each fallen seven points since 2022, while worry about extinction of plant and animal species has declined five points, and the pollution of natural waterways and global warming or climate change are down four points each,” Gallup said.

“Meanwhile, last year’s 57% high-level worry about polluted drinking water is statistically similar to this year’s 55%.”

One of President Joe Biden’s most broad and controversial policies is Waters of the United States (WOTUS), an extensive rule that gives the federal government broad authority over even small waterways. The Obama administration expanded the power of WOTUS in 2015, thrusting it to the forefront of the battle over federal environmental authority.

Former President Donald Trump weakened that rule during his administration, and President Biden immediately began undoing Mr. Trump’s reworking of WOTUS.

Then in March of this year, the Senate passed a joint, bipartisan resolution of disapproval for WOTUS, 53-43. This kind of resolution uses the Congressional Review Act that allows lawmakers to overturn federal regulations.

President Biden, however, vetoed the resolution, keeping WOTUS intact.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland temporarily halted the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps’ regulatory expansion via the rule after two dozen states filed suit.

“This WOTUS rule is another egregious example of unauthorized executive branch overreach and reveals just how out of touch D.C. bureaucrats are with rural America,” U.S. Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., told The

Center Square. Now, the controversial measure and its enforcement are in limbo.

“Biden’s outrageous WOTUS rule has been BLOCKED by a federal judge. This is fantastic news for our farmers!” South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem wrote on Twitter after the ruling. “The Biden Administration should stop getting in the way of our ag producers. They feed the world – let them do their work.”

Farmers and ranchers have been particularly worried about WOTUS and welcomed the court’s decision.

“AFBF is pleased the District Court ordered EPA and the U.S. Army Corps to halt implementation of the troubled 2023 WOTUS Rule in Texas and Idaho,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said. “The judge recognized the new rule likely oversteps EPA’s authority under the Clean Water Act, which creates uncertainty for the farmers and ranchers who must navigate the complicated regulations.”

The National Federation of Independent Business also took issue with President Biden’s support of WOTUS, saying “this rule would increase the regulatory burdens and uncertainty facing small businesses” and pointing out that it “significantly expanded federal regulatory authority over wetlands, farms, and private property.”

“President Biden’s decision to veto a bipartisan Congressional resolution to repeal a complex and burdensome regulation further demonstrates a disconnect with the concerns of small businesses,” said Kevin Kuhlman, NFIB’s vice president of Federal Government Relations.

Gallup points out the decrease in concern is mostly among Democrats, suggesting President Biden’s environmental policies could be the source of that drop in concern.

The EPA has made clear it stands by WOTUS despite the ruling.

“The agencies remain committed to establishing and implementing a durable definition of ‘waters of the United States’ informed by diverse perspectives,” the EPA said after the ruling. “Our goal is to protect public health, the environment, and downstream communities while supporting economic opportunity, agriculture, and industries that depend on clean water.”

photo. Add $60.00 for each additional inch or partial inch after the first 1.5”; up to approximately 700 characters per additional inch. All Obituaries must be reviewed, approved, and prepaid by deadline. We accept all major credit cards by phone; check or cash payments may be brought into our office located at 715 Anacapa Street. The deadline for Weekend and Monday’s editions is at 10a.m. on Thursdays; Tuesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Fridays; Wednesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Mondays; Thursday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Tuesdays; Friday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Wednesdays (Pacific Time). Free Death Notices must be directly emailed by the mortuary to our newsroom at news@ newspress.com. The News-Press cannot accept Death Notices from individuals.

FIVE-DAY

Life theArts

CALENDAR

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@ newspress.com.

TODAY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Storytelling: Native People Through the Lens of Edward S. Curtis” is on display through April 30 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information, visit sbnature.org. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “SURREAL

WOMEN: Surrealist Art by American Women” is on display through April 24 at Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, www.sullivangoss.com. By appointment on weekdays: “Holly Hungett: Natural Interpretations” is on view through May 20 at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s gallery, 229 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and weekdays by appointment. For more information, call the foundation at 805-965-6307 or go to www.afsb. org.

You’re getting very sleepy…

With the sound of his voice, hypnotist James Kellogg Jr. will lead volunteers in on-stage adventures at Santa Barbara Fair and Expo

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

At the 2023 Santa Barbara Fair and Expo on April 2630, hypnotist James Kellogg Jr. will take the stage to wow the audience with his

abilities.

He has been in the hypnotherapy business since he was 7 years old. He solidified this talent when he won “The Gong Show,” a TV series known for showcasing crazy talents, at the age of 10.

Ever since, he has been entertaining crowds across the

Volunteers to celebrate Earth Day with Goleta cleanup

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Goleta will celebrate Earth Day on Saturday with an effort to beautify the city.

Volunteers are welcome to the Beautify Goleta cleanup, set for 9 to 11 a.m. at three of the city’s open spaces: Stow Grove Park, Lake Los Carneros and Ellwood Bluffs.

As a thank you, each volunteer will receive a colorful Beautify Goleta T-shirt and a reusable plastic free Goleta cutlery set (while supplies last). To sign up, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/ BeautifyGoleta.

The Beautify Goleta event also includes a free bulky item drop off for all community members. You can bring unwanted items to 6237 Cathedral Oaks Road near Stow Grove Park, the spotlight cleanup location, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Acceptable items include but aren’t limited to mattresses and box springs, wood and metal furniture, wood pallets and tires, and plastic tables, desks and chairs.

Electronics, hazardous waste

and medications won’t be accepted.

The cleanup locations are:

• Stow Grove Park (the spotlight location) and surrounding neighborhoods.

Spotlight Captain: The Goleta Rotary Club and Community West Bank.

Meetup: Stow Grove Park Parking Lot (580 N La Patera Lane).

• Lake Los Carneros and surrounding neighborhoods.

Captain: Miranda Fierro with Girl Scout Troop No. 55531.

Meetup: Stow House Parking Lot (304 N. Los Carneros Road).

• Ellwood Bluffs and surrounding neighborhoods

Captain: Nicholas Begane and Jessica Sahagun with Mariposa at Ellwood Shores.

Meetup: Mariposa at Ellwood Shores Parking Lot (190 Viajero Avenue off Hollister Avenue. email: dmason@newspress.com

(Email messages concerning Katherine Zehnder’s stories are going to Managing Editor Dave Mason.)

country.

Mr. Kellogg is a master and board-certified hypnotist. He is a member of various hypnotherapy boards including the American Board of Hypnotherapy, National Guild of Hypnotists, and Academy of Magical Arts, to name a few. These accreditations opened

many doors for Mr. Kellogg, including being the headline act for numerous stage productions including “A Magical Night” at the Brooks Theater as well as “A Night of Magic” at the Mission Theater. He has had memorable performances in the past, including at Disneyland and

Legoland, various cruises, thousands of schools and service organizations, as well as corporate and fundraising events all throughout Southern California and beyond.

Mr. Kellogg told the News-Press

Please see HYPNOTIST on B2

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical.org. to etcsb.org or call 805-965-5400.

APRIL 21

8 p.m. Sō Percussion with Caroline Shaw will perform at UCSB Campbell Hall. Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw joins Sō Percussion as vocalist for 10 songs she co-composed with the quartet members. Tickets are $20 to $35 for the general public and $10 for UCSB students with current student ID. TO purchase, call Arts & Lectures at 805-893-3535 or go to www. artsandlecturesucsb.edu.

APRIL 23

7 p.m. Artemis, an international jazz ensemble made up of six women, will perform at UCSB Campbell Hall. The ensemble consists of pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes, trumpeter Ingrid Jenson, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, alto saxophonist and flutist Alexa Tarantino, bassist Norike Ueda and drummer Allison Miller. Artemis’ music ranges from modern compositions to jazz classics by Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter. Audience members may arrive early at 4 p.m. for a free Q&A and behind-thescenes open sound check. Register at thematic-learning.org/2022-2023. Elubia’s Kitchen will be serving dinner before the show from 5 to 7 P.M., outside of the event. Tickets range from $30 to $45 for the general public and are $15 for UCSB students who show a current student ID. To purchase, go to www.artsandlectures. ucsb.edu.

APRIL 24

7:30 p.m. The Lompoc Pops Orchestra will everything from Broadway hits to a “Star Trek” medley at the First United Methodist Church, 925 North F St., Lompoc. Tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for all full time students, and free for children 12 and under. To make reservations, call 805733-1796.

APRIL 25

7:30 p.m. The American Theatre Guild will present “Anastasia” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The new Broadway musical follows a brave young woman on a journey to discover the mystery of the past. This production transports the audiences from the twilight of the Russian empire to Paris in the 1920s. Tickets cost $54 to $129. To purchase, go to granadasb. org.

APRIL 30

3:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art presents a unique conversation between renowned poet and art critic John Yau and artist Joan Tanner.

The event will take place at 3:30 p.m. April 30 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Tickets are free for SBMA members and students and cost $5, otherwise. They are available at tickets. sbma.net.

— Dave Mason

Managing

TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023

At left, Mr. Kellogg takes his talents to schools all across the country, amusing students with his ability to hypnotize even the biggest skeptic. At right, James Kellogg Jr. entertains his crowds with humor and hypnotizing, a combination all of the family will enjoy.

COURTESY PHOTOS

At the Santa Barbara Fair and Expo on April 26-30, James Kellogg Jr. will showcase his talents to the Santa Barbara community.

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ tops box office once again

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is still the winner at the North American box office.

Based on the Nintendo game, the movie remained the No. 1 movie for its second weekend, with a gross of $87 million.

“The Pope’s Exorcist” opened in second place with a gross of $9.15 million.

“John Wick: Chapter 4” dropped to the No. 3 spot from No. 2 with $7.92 million.

“Renfield,” the horror comedy about Count Dracula’s henchman (played by Nicholas Hoult), opened in fourth place with $7.77 million. Nicolas Cage plays Count Dracula.

The movie about the Air Jordan shoes, “Air,” dropped to fifth place from third, with $7.72 million.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor

Among Thieves” fell to sixth place from fourth with $7.35 million.

“Suzume,” an anime movie about a 17-year-old girl helping a young man save Japan from disasters, opened in seventh place with $2.83 million.

“Mafia Mamma” opened in eighth place with $2.04 million. The film stars Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci and Sophia Nomvete in the story of an American mom who inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy.

“Scream VI” took a dive to ninth place from fifth. The horror film grossed $1.46 million.

“Nefarious,” the story of a serial killer talking to a psychiatrist on the day of his execution and claiming to be a demon, opened in 10th place with $1.33 million. email: dmason@newspress.com

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” grossed $87 million last weekend at the North American box office.

State Street Ballet presents ‘The Jungle Book’

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

After a successful southwestern state tour, the State Street Ballet will perform an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” on April 29. The ballet will take place at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., for one night only before the dance company tours Japan in May.

Originally choreographed by State Street Ballet Artistic

Director Rodneny Gustafson in 2009, the ballet walks through the coming-of-age story following young Mowgli. The ballet is colorful and upbeat, with updated choreography created by Kassandra Taylor Newberry, Marina Fliagina, Megan Philipp and William Soleau. The original score of the ballet is by Czech composer and conductor, Milan Svoboda. He is best known for his jazz compositions and scenic music for theatre and film.

The score of this ballet was recorded in Prague by the Symphonic Orchestra of the National Theatre and the Milan Svoboda Jazz Orchestra.

Additionally, stunning animal costumes will be featured in this production. These were created by A. Christina Gianninin and Nicole Thomposon.

The State Street Ballet was founded in 1994 by Rodney Gustafon and William Soleaur. Each season of ballet is dedicated to bringing true classics back

to the ballet community. The dance company provides public performances, educational outreaches, community partnerships, and training programs.

Tickets cost $38 and $48 for general admission, $58 for VIP seats, and $22 for children and students with IDS. To purchase, go to lobero.org. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

David Unger to discuss his latest ‘Lesson’

SANTA BARBARA — Local author David Unger is coming to Chaucer’s Book for a talk and signing for his ninth installment of the popular “Lesson” series.

Mr. Unger will sign books May 3 at the store, 3321 State St., Santa Barbara. His latest book, titled “A Lesson in Woo-Woo and Murder,” follows Dr. David Unger — named after the author — and his adventures as a therapist and professor. Specifically, this story finds Dr. Unger at the Santa Monica Whole Life Expo, when a murder dispels his work at the fair. Love creeps into Dr. Unger’s life as Nova, the Love Doctor, provides him with a psychic reading of his romantic future.

The author, Dr. Unger, was born and raised in Southern California and attended UCLA. After many years of being a therapist for different abuse programs and schools, he transitioned his work to fictional literature. He has written the “Lesson” series since 2018 and hopes to continue. For more information, visit www.chaucersbooks.com.

Santa Barbara Writers Conference returns to Mar Monte Hotel

SANTA BARBARA —

The Santa Barbara Writers Conference will celebrate its 50th anniversary when it returns to Mar Monte Hotel on June 1823.

This six-day event will include a full itinerary of workshops, agents, and panels, as well as a

HYPNOTIST

Continued from Page B1

that he was recently featured on TruTV’s show “Conspiracy Theory” with Jesse Ventura and TLC’s show “LA Ink: when he hypnotized celebrity Kat VonD to quit smoking. His comedic approach to hypnotherapy fills the crowd with laughter and thrills. He has high energy when he is on stage, yet guarantees no embarrassment or profanity in his act. He said it’s perfect for families.

multitude of networking events for writers in the Santa Barbara area. This event is a chance for writers to learn more about the publishing and marketing world through workshops and wellknown speakers. Some of the speakers who will

or even change parts of their mood or personality.

By the end of the show, even the toughest skeptics will walk away entertained.

FYI

The Santa Barbara Fair and Expo will take place April 26-30 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. For more information, go to earlwarren.com/fair-and-expo.

Mr. Kellogg also believes hypnotherapy to be a true form of therapy. Even with his hilarious style, he believes that the state hypnotherapy puts you in is a refreshing and deep experience for the body. He said that when the audience members wake up from the experience, it is like they just had the best sleep of their lives.

In his act, he has audience volunteers up on stage to be the true stars of the show. He has them doing various funny things, which audiences find entertaining. For example, after Mr. Kellogg hypnotizes the volunteer, he may have them do funny celebrity impressions, act a certain way towards another audience member,

According to his website (amazinghypnotist.com), “hypnosis is a deep state of relaxation during which your subconscious mind is open to suggestions.” This is the basis of his performances and how he achieves his goals.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

be in attendance at the event are Monte Schulz, Elinor Lipman, Mary Hogan, Judith TurnerYamamoto and Shannon Pufahl. The event encourages writers to interact with agents for their own benefit as well as enter in the Stephen T. Vessels Memorial writing contest. The winner of the

contest will receive a scholarship to the upcoming conference. The conference is sponsored by The Writer Magazine, a monthly news magazine for the literary world. To register, go to sbwriters.com.

— Annika Bahnsen

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

— Annika Bahnsen

COURTESY PHOTOS

David Unger writes about a character named after himself in “A Lesson in Woo-Woo and Murder.”

James Kellogg

Diversions

Thought for Today

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

ARIES — Staying indoors might not be the best thing today, Aries. You might feel vague muscular aches and pains for which you can’t find any reason. They could be the result of inactivity rather than any dysfunction. Get outside and go for a walk or jog in the park. This will get the endorphins going and wipe away the memory of how you felt earlier. Have fun!

TAURUS — A family member may be absent without explanation, Taurus. This might worry everyone, and not without reason. It’s best to stay calm and phone friends, colleagues, and anyone who might know where this person is. All is probably well. Your family member has probably been preoccupied and neglected to let anyone at home know what’s going on. Hang in there!

GEMINI — A sibling or neighbor might not feel very communicative, Gemini. It may seem that this person isn’t behaving in their normal, friendly manner, but isn’t sharing why. Give him or her a break. There may have been some upsetting news that your friend can’t stop thinking about.

CANCER — Are you working on a project that requires a little ingenuity? If so, today you may draw a blank. No matter how hard you think about it, you can’t come up with a good way to proceed. Perhaps it would be best to put it away and do something else for a while. Trying to force the issue will only reinforce the mental blocks.

LEO — Your intuition is operating at a very high level, Leo, except where your family is concerned! No matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to make sense of anything anyone says, let alone does. Don’t make yourself crazy over it. Ask for explanations, then barring anything destructive or nasty, let them go their own way.

VIRGO —Telepathic messages you get from a friend or relative could seem confused and garbled, Virgo. This might bother you, especially if the person is normally practical and rational. We all have bad days. Try to observe their behavior and see if there are any warning signs of inner or outer crisis. If not, you

may have to just let them be.

LIBRA — Are you upset over money, Libra? Try to be rational. Your concerns are probably far more negative than the reality of the situation. Be objective and go over your budget to learn the facts. By the time you cover everything, you should be more than relieved. It’s nothing you can’t handle easily. Put it behind you for now and go out with some friends.

SCORPIO — Some news about a major event could unsettle and confuse you, Scorpio. There could be contradictory reports, and commentators may confound the issue even more. You’re primarily concerned about how this will affect you. The answer is probably very little. The media are apt to blow it out of proportion because it’s newsworthy.

SAGITTARIUS — Spiritual studies might seem fascinating and confusing, Sagittarius. Are you reading a book whose author isn’t clear? Perhaps this isn’t the best work to bring you the information you seek. Ask friends to recommend better books. Make a trip to the library. See what’s available online.

CAPRICORN — Your intuition may guide you in a direction that seems at odds with what logic and practicality tell you, Capricorn. This could put you in a quandary. Should you try to be practical or should you follow your heart? Don’t make the decision today. Ask friends for advice if you like, but wait a few days before making any irrevocable choice.

AQUARIUS — Family problems may have a friend or love partner feeling unsettled and helpless, Aquarius. This person could have a few communication problems, especially if firmness is required. Don’t get sucked into the situation. Just point out the facts and encourage your friend to consider every factor on its own merits.

PISCES — Has someone given you a chore to do and then taken off without giving you any instructions? It’s no wonder you feel confused and frustrated! If there is no manual, and if no one else knows what’s up, don’t feel bad about letting it go until you’re given proper coaching. It’s more prudent to wait than do it wrong and have to do it again. Better safe than sorry.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

“My partner says he’s a self-made player,” a club member told me. “He says he has never read a bridge book. He relies on intuition.”

My friend said his partner’s seatof-the-pants style didn’t work when he was today’s declarer. At 3NT, he took the queen of spades and led a club to finesse with dummy’s queen.

“East took the king and returned a spade,” I was told. “My partner won, took the ace of clubs and led a third club. East got the jack and nine, and when hearts broke badly, partner took only eight tricks. What do you think of my ‘self-made’ partner?”

“I would have to say he’s a product of unskilled labor,” I shrugged.

BEST CHANCE

Correctly handling single suit

combinations is a learned skill for most players. South’s best chance for a second club trick is to take the ace and lead low toward his ten.

As the cards lie, he wins two club tricks easily. If West had the jack, South would lead toward dummy’s queen later, winning if West had the king or clubs broke 3-3.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold:

The dealer, at your left, opens one spade. Your partner doubles, you respond

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Every number in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

PUZZLE

(“advance”) two clubs, and he cuebids two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner’s cue bid suggests a huge hand, probably with club support and a “control” in spades. Your hand couldn’t be any stronger, else you would have bid more than two clubs. Slam is likely. Bid four clubs. A typical hand for partner might be

Julia Child

DOJ charges El Chapo sons, cartel members with fentanyl trafficking, murder

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 28 members of the Sinaloa Cartel, including drug kingpin El Chapo’s sons.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the indictment charges Sinaloa Cartel members with trafficking fentanyl and other drugs, engaging in money laundering, committing murder, and other violent crimes.

The charges were unsealed in the Southern District of New York, Northern District of Illinois, and District of Columbia and detailed in a news release.

Mr. Garland said multiple agency enforcement actions were taken “against the largest, most violent, and most prolific fentanyl trafficking operation in the world, run by the Sinaloa Cartel, and fueled by Chinese precursor chemical and pharmaceutical companies.”

The Mexican and Chinese governments have denied their role in producing and trafficking fentanyl into the U.S. primarily through the southern border.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said “the fentanyl crisis in America – fueled in large part by the Sinaloa cartel” is not only a public health issue but a national security issue.

The indictments “target every element of the Sinaloa Cartel’s trafficking network,” Ms. Monoco said, “from the chemical companies in China that spawn fentanyl precursors, to the illicit labs that produce the poison, to the networks and money launderers and murderers that facilitate its distribution.”

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram also described cartel operations as a national security threat.

None of the officials, from Mr. Garland to Ms. Milgram, called on the president to designate the Sinaloa Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization or classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, something Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Florida Attorney General Ashley

Moody and multiple attorneys generals have repeatedly called on the president and his administration to do.

Ms. Milgram described how the DEA has targeted and infiltrated the Sinaloa Cartel network, saying, “The Chapitos pioneered the manufacture and trafficking of fentanyl – the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced – flooded it into the United States for the past eight years and killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. Over the last year and a half, the DEA proactively infiltrated the Sinaloa Cartel and the Chapitos network, obtained unprecedented access to the organization’s highest levels, and followed them across the world.”

The Sinaloa Cartel operates as an affiliation of drug traffickers and money launderers, according to multi-state and agency investigations resulting in the indictments. Cartel operatives obtained precursor chemicals, largely from China, to manufacture synthetic drugs in Mexico and then moved them into the U.S. primarily through the southern border, then collected, laundered, and transferred hundreds of millions of dollars in proceeds, according to the charges.

The entire operation was led by Joaquin Guzman Loera, “El Chapo,” and Ismael Zambada Garcia, “El Mayo,” leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. El Chapo is currently incarcerated for life in a maximum security prison in Colorado.

His sons, “the Chapitos,” allegedly took over the operation after violent infighting with rival cartel leaders. One son, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. in January. The others include Ivan Guzman Salazar, Alfredo Guzman Salazar, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez. The unsealed indictments detail the Chapitos alleged violent trafficking operations over the last 15 years, including moving lethal amounts of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the U.S. They used “cargo aircraft, private aircraft, submarines and other submersible and semisubmersible vessels, container ships, supply

vessels, go-fast boats, fishing vessels, buses, rail cars, tractor trailers, automobiles, and private and commercial interstate and foreign carriers to transport their drugs and precursor chemicals,” according to the charges. They also allegedly maintained a network of couriers, tunnels, and stash houses throughout Mexico and the U.S. to traffic drugs into the U.S.

The unsealed charges in the Southern District of New York were against 28 people, including three Chapitos; top lieutenants and cartel leaders, alleged manufacturers and distributors of fentanyl, those who oversaw the cartel’s violent armed security apparatus protecting its trafficking operations, money launderers, and multiple chemical precursor suppliers in China. Seven defendants are in custody pending extradition proceedings.

In the Northern District of Illinois, narcotics, money laundering, and firearms charges were unsealed against four Chapitos. The indictment alleges that between May 2008 and April 5, 2023, they operated a drug trafficking Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE); charges also relate to drugs, money laundering and firearms.

The District of Columbia unsealed narcotics, firearms, and witness retaliation charges against a Chapito “sicario,” or assassin, Nestor Isidro Perez Salas. Mr. Perez Salas is allegedly a leader of the “Ninis,” a violent security force of the Chapitos. He allegedly conspired to distribute, manufacture and import into the U.S. cocaine and methamphetamine and used a firearm to do so. He also allegedly “killed, attempted to kill, threatened, and caused bodily injury to another to intimidate a government witness and informant,” according to court documents.

The U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Ivan Guzman Salazar, Alfredo Guzman Salazar, and Ovidio Guzman Lopez. It’s also offering up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Joaquin Guzman Lopez.

Arizona Legislature to examine new EPA requirements

By CARLY MORAN

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Arizona legislators are establishing a joint committee to study the effects of the Environmental Protection Agency’s updated air quality regulations, which some say could profoundly affect the state’s economic health.

The Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Air Quality and Energy will convene in the coming weeks to hear testimonials of the potential effects on Arizona families, workers and industries.

The committee will weigh the

positive effects environmentally with the detriment to the economy. Their studies will be compiled in a report before the end of the year, determining how the state will respond to federal regulations at the state level.

The committee will comprise five members of the state House and five of the Senate. Senator Sine Kerr, R-Buckeye, and Representative Gail Griffin, RHereford, will serve as co-chairs on the new committee. The two serve as chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Water.

“We want to make sure the

EPA’s requirements are realistic and won’t cause hardships for our residents, for our economy, or infringe on freedoms, as with what has so far transpired in California,’ Sen. Kerr said.

The EPA states that the proposed standards would eliminate 10 billion tons of carbon emissions by 2055, equivalent to more than double the emissions produced by the United States in 2022 alone. Additionally, the organization argues that car owners would save up to $12,000 throughout the time span of owning a light-duty vehicle.

Many of the new EPA standards

McCarthy lays out GOP debt ceiling plan

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) –U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Monday Republicans will vote to cut federal spending when it agrees to raise the debt ceiling, setting the stage for a pending political struggle over growing federal debt and what to do about it.

“OK, so here’s our plan,” Rep. McCarthy said at the New York Stock Exchange Institute Monday. “In the coming weeks, the House will vote on a bill to lift the debt ceiling into the next year, save taxpayers trillions of dollars, make us less dependant on China, curve our high inflation, all without touching Social Security and Medicare.”

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned lawmakers that they face a looming deadline: raise the debt limit or face defaulting on U.S.’ debt obligations, an unprecedented failure that would have major consequences for the global and U.S. economy. Rep. McCarthy did not release all the details of the plan, which is likely to be tweaked in Republican discussions over the coming weeks, but did emphasize cutting spending.

President Biden at the White House, but a deal has not been reached.

Experts have also expressed concerns about the growth of federal debt. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office, the official budget analysis group for Congress, said in February that debt is growing faster than expected.

As The Center Square previously reported, CBO projects the deficit will nearly double in the next decade, reaching $2.9 trillion by 2033. The annual deficit for the next decade will average $2 trillion.

According to the analysis, federal debt held by the public will rise “from $24.3 trillion at the end of 2022 to $46.4 trillion at the end of 2033.”

“As a percentage of GDP, that debt is projected to stand at 118 percent at the end of 2033 – about 21 percentage points higher than it was at the end of 2022 and about two and a half times its average over the past 50 years,” CBO said.

In his speech Monday, McCarthy called for restoring work requirements for government benefits to coax able-bodied adults without dependents back into the workforce.

seek to regulate the spread of a particulate known as PM2.5, a fine, inhalable particle.

“The agency’s PM2.5 proposal is a prime example of the disconnect between D.C. regulators and the rest of the country,” Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Danny Seiden said in an op-ed. “Rules enacted under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards are revised on schedules that are meant to give regulated industries time to adjust. Those adjustments are often extensive and costly, and many businesses are still working to come into compliance with the last revision.”

“First we’ll limit federal spending,” Rep. McCarthy said. “Our legislation accomplishes the same goal by returning the federal government to 2022 levels, and then limit the growth to spending over the next 10 years to 1% of annual growth.”

Rep. McCarthy also called for examining federal waste and overreach before borrowing more money and becoming more competitive with China.

Rep. McCarthy expressed confidence in passing a debt limit increase, but so far there has been little evidence of President Joe Biden and Republicans coming to an agreement to move forward.

Rep. McCarthy recently met with

“Right now there are more job openings than people looking for jobs,” McCarthy said. “You know why? It’s in part because the Biden administration weakened work requirements.”

McCarthy also put the delay in making a deal at the feet of Biden.

“Make no mistake,” McCarthy said. “The longer President Biden waits to be sensible, to find agreement, the more likely it becomes that his administration will bumble into the first default in our nation’s history.”

Biden has said the debt ceiling is too serious to negotiate around and has called for simply raising it.

“But I will not let anyone use the full faith and credit of the United States as a bargaining chip,” Biden said during a Virginia speech earlier this year.

Apts. Furn...................3020

Apts. Unfurn................3030

Condos........................3040

Duplexes Furn..............3050

Duplexes Unfurn..........3060

Houses Unfurn.............30 0

Buellton.......................3160

Carpinteria..................3170

Goleta.........................3175

Hope Ranch.................3180

Isla Vista.....................3190

Lompoc........................3200

Los Alamos..................3210

Los Olivos...................3220

Montecito....................3230

Nipomo.......................3240

No. California..............3250

Ojai.............................3260

San Luis Obispo Co.......3270

Santa Maria.................3280

Santa Ynez..................3290

Solvang.......................3 00