Daily Republic: Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Parks and Recreation to vote on more pickleball courts A4

Xfinity Series ready for first Sonoma race Saturday B1

Coughlan logging miles on his run across America

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AMAGINNIS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

VACAVILLE — Noah

Coughlan, on his fourth run across America, has racked up 170 miles of the 3,500 he plans on running.

“The Run For Revival is about 5% complete,” he wrote on social media Tuesday.

On Memorial Day, Vacaville native Coughlan began the 3,500-mile solo trek near Seattle. He plans to finish in Miami on Veteran’s Day.

He logged 9 miles the first day. “Only 3,491 miles remain to Miami” he wrote on social media.

Small farms to get share of

DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — Sixty-two $5,000 grants will be awarded to small farming or related operations.

A total of $383,026 of the American Rescue Plan Act funds has been set aside for the program, which was formerly approved on Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.

“All the farms during Covid were significantly impacted, especially the small farms,” Supervisor Mitch Mashburn said, adding, “These dollars are very important to a small part of a $1 billion industry in Solano County.”

The application period is open from November to January. An estimated 200 to 300 farms or

farm-related companies, with a 2021 gross income of $400,000 or less, will be eligible.

“We are focused on the production side,” Meghan Richards, an administrative analyst who leads the ARPA programs.

The Solano County Farm Bureau will be handling outreach, while the Workforce Development Board and Small Business Development Center also have parts to play.

In other action, the board:

n Approved using cooperative purchase solicitation with ACCO Engineered Systems for the emergency replacement of the Fairfield Library Chiller and Boiler systems, and approved an appropriation transfer of $611,913 from Library Contingencies for the work.

n Approved the notice of completion for the Countywide Card Access Upgrades Project by Honeywell Building Solutions of Sacramento. The project cost $1.4 million, the budget amount, with construction costs at a bit more than $1 million.

n Approved a $112,350 appropriation transfer from Health & Social Services to the Accumulated Capital Outlay Fund to fund the H&SS Employment & Eligibility Kiosk Update project.

n Approved a five-year, $8.64 million agreement with Presidio and a companion finance agreement with Key Government Finance, Inc. for procurement

See Farms,

Conservative parent group wants representation on Vaca school board

Daily Republic Staff

DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

VACAVILLE — A conservative, parent-driven group of city residents wants the Vacaville Unified School District board to listen to their issues and their voices.

In fact, they want to elect a majority of likeminded representatives to the school board to control those issues.

Among their concerns is wanting a board that will engage with parents before enacting transgender and critical race theory – or equity – policies, all of which they generally oppose. That is especially true when it has to do with the lower grade levels.

“What the board and the school (district) want to be is inclusive, equitable and diversified, and we feel excluded,” Kathy Bettencourt said.

She accused the board and the district of being secretive about critical issues that should involve parents.

Ed Santopadre, who becomes the district super-

intendent on July 1, said the district does not have a critical race theory curriculum or a gender-based education policy, adding he will meet with anyone with district concerns.

The district is developing an administrative regulation regarding a gender support plan, not unlike other student support plans, but added that parents and the public will be able to comment on the proposed regulation when it is released this fall.

Santopadre also noted that the district was teaching the students the same curriculum when they were in their own homes due to Covid-19, and there were no complaints from parents about that curriculum then.

And while many of the group members got involved during the Covid-19 shutdown because they opposed state mandates – particularly when it came to the possibility of mandated student vaccinations – it was the efforts of the district’s Equity Task Force that have riled them back up.

Julianne Brewer said she agreed with 85% to 90% of what was in the task force report, but there are areas of great concern. That report was released two years ago.

They pointed to a staff meeting held in March at Buckingham Charter School during which a “gender support plan” was discussed. It includes keeping the information secret from parents if the student does not want the information released.

Santopadre said there are a host of issues students will discuss with teachers, counselors and administrators, but are terrified about their parents learning they had spoken about them.

He said not everything gets shared with parents, especially if there is a student safety concern.

Bettencourt and Brewer agree that student safety is a priority, but that parents

See Board, Page A8

Coughlan wore a pair of shoes he donned on the final day of his 2015 Run For Rare and later across Ireland in 2020.

Along the way, he dedicates days to those who have served in the United States military, including Randy Franklin, who served in the United States Air Force fr0r 21 years. Franklin is well known in Solano County and was part of Coughlan’s third run

across America. The kindness of fellow Americans is something Coughlan experiences daily.

On a whim, he called the KOA in the Burlington/Belfast are of Washington state. “When I limped in to the KOA 3 hours later, the entire staff greeted me with a warm meal, a complimentary cabin, a hot tub, and fluids to rehydrate. I cannot thank them enough,” Coughlan wrote.

On Day 6 Coughlan made it to the gateway of the Cascades.

“I am exposed to the elements and weather for over five months straight. You can’t run from it. You can’t escape it. You have to adapt and minimize any injury or exposure. I always do. In this initial week, my body is in shock, but adapting,” Coughlan wrote on social media. He started at 180 pounds and estimated he will crop about 20 by the time he reaches South Dakota.

Running across the

See Run, Page A8

Ukraine dam blast blamed on Russia tips war into new phase

bloombeRg newS

Ukraine said Russia blew up a giant dam and unleashed an environmental catastrophe, with floodwater sweeping across the south of the country as Kyiv’s forces intensify their counteroffensive to oust Moscow’s troops from occupied territory.

The Kremlin denied responsibility and said Ukraine was behind the breach at the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant early Tuesday as the torrent of water threatened to force tens of thousands of

people from their homes and renewed fears for the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear power station. Wheat prices jumped, while a separate explosion on an ammonia pipeline shut down in the war underscored the vulnerability of key infrastructure as the fighting enters a critical new phase.

“This is the largest man-made environmental disaster in Europe in decades,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an address

See Blast, Page A8

Daily Republic Staff

On getting personal to find inspiration in poetry

One of developmental psychologist Erik Erikson’s most notable quotes is, “In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity.” Identity and the Self. Something I am sure most have contemplated at some point in life. Writing has always been a means to express oneself and often that is accomplished through writing poetry. Poems can be personal stories reflecting your feelings, not only about the visible world around you, but also that deep-seeded thought about who you are as a person.

Rodriguez High School English teacher Juliet Radford decided to use that idea as inspiration for poetry writing. She challenged her students by having them read the book “The 57 Bus” by Dashka Slater. Although it is nonfiction and not poetry, it deals with the topic of identity, and Slater encourages building empathy in this book as well. Ms. Radford’s assignment emerged from this, so she had her students explore poets who also wrote about identity and self. She had the students analyze those poems before writing their own poems.

Though she has only been at Rodriquez one year, Radford has been teaching for 18 years.

Prior to her being here, she taught at Albany High in the East Bay for 17 years but moved to Fairfield six years ago. She is most happy to now be teaching in her own community.

How encouraging it is that we have teachers in our schools addressing connection to self through creative ways, such as poetry writing! Allowing students to voice their feelings, whether it be joy or fear, is imperative to healthy self-awareness and growth.

Cognitive skills are necessary yet compassionate ones are as well for a nourishing balance.

Thank you to all of you teachers who are doing so much for our youth!

Here are three of Ms. Radford’s students whose poems represent this assignment. They are Olivia Lewis, Andrew Rapollo-Nunez and Zack Carvalho.

Olivia Lewis is 16 years old. She enjoyed writing this poem because it was a coping mechanism to get her feelings out while she was in a bad place. She also says that poetry can be used for “spreading knowledge, feelings or sentimental value.”

She likes skating, video games and drawing. After high school she plans on going to Napa Valley Community College to complete sonography courses

to become an ultrasound technician.

Andrew (Drew) is a Junior. He enjoyed writing the poem because he said he had never looked at his life in such a deep perspective before. It helped him realize “lots of things” in his life while writing it. He says what is special about poetry is that you can look at things differently than you usually do and can learn more about the topic at hand. He also believes through writing poetry you can practice being more creative and descriptive. Andrew is on the varsity basketball team and hopes to play in college while studying in the medical field.

Zack Carvalho is in the 11th grade. He likes that poetry lets you write about what you are feeling without having to follow strict rules like an essay. He plays varsity football, likes going to the gym but also just hanging out with family and friends. He wants to go to college, hoping for a football scholarship so he can continue to play while pursuing higher education.

Enjoy these poems written from their hearts. And please go read more poems from this classroom and their poetry work on Identify and the Self that are posted in The Coffee Bar, 740 Texas Street, downtown Fairfield!

why is the ocean so big and scary by Olivia Lewis i am consumed by an ocean of thoughts trying to escape my own mind i yearn for a sense of silence i often run away from the ocean afraid of what’ll happen once I face it i wish it would all go away maybe one day, I’ll gain the courage to dive into the ocean one day it will all go silent and I will learn to breathe no regrets. by Andrew

Rapolla-Nunez

It started off as a simple game, getting used to all these different rules and all I did was make sure I was having fun. But as I started to get older things changed. Things got faster, the stakes were higher, the expectations were bigger and time was running out. I took a long look at myself, I wasn’t progressing like I was supposed to, like everything else was. I was slower, I was weaker, I was smaller, I wasn’t prepared to take the next step and compete. And even though the odds

were against me, I wouldn’t bend over and accept it. I would try my best and live with the results after everything was over. No woulda’. No coulda’. No shoulda’. No excuses. No cover-ups. No regrets.

My Secrets are Enough by

Zach Carvalho

What secrets do you have? Do they eat you alive inside?

My secrets are enough To keep me up at night. Left hidden inside to fester, they get bigger and bigger. Keep your secrets from me. I do not want to know them. My secrets are enough, I cannot holds yours too. I have learned to push them down, down so far I almost forget. There they will stay, hopefully never to surface. My secrets are enough, and that is what they will stay, secrets Poems must be sent to Suzanne Bruce at fairfieldpoet laureate@gmail.com by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Please include a short introduction about yourself, such as if you are a student, where and why you enjoy writing poetry.

A Canadian bakery was burglarized. The thief later called to apologize.

The WashingTon

Emma Irvine walked her German shepherd around her Vancouver neighborhood on Monday as she tried to decom press from recent events.

Three days earlier, a man broke into her pastry shop, Sweet Something, and stole a half-dozen cupcakes. He left behind fragments of shattered glass from the front door.

“This business has been like a labor of love, of blood, sweat and tears,” Irvine told The Washington Post. “Having these things happen to your business, it’s always hard; it’s a piece of you.”

But as Irvine walked her dog, her colleague called. The thief had called the shop and asked to speak with Irvine.

Later that day when she returned the man’s call, Irvine began to feel at ease during the roughly 10-minute conversation. The burglar apologized for what he called a dumb mistake and said he would pay for the cupcakes and the front door’s repairs.

Irvine asked police not to press charges.

“I had a lot of empathy and sympathy for this guy,” Irvine said. “You can tell that he’s a young kid who made a mistake, and we all make mistakes.”

Irvine, 26, chronicled

CORRECTION POLICY

the events in TikToks that have since received more than 2 million views.

On May 26, a man who appeared to be in his 20s showed up at Sweet Something around 3 a.m. and stayed outside for about 30 minutes, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Then, he kicked the front door, shattering the glass and crouched through the hole he created to enter the shop, police said.

Inside, the man sat down for a few minutes, got up to use the bathroom, tried to mop away the broken glass fragments from the door and took selfies on the store’s cellphone, surveillance video showed. After staying for

about 30 minutes, the man grabbed six chocolate champagne cupcakes from the fridge - worth about $30 - and departed,

A few hours later, Irvine’s mom walked by the shop and called her daughter with the news. Irvine said her heart dropped.

Before she opened the small business in February 2018, Irvine thought long and hard about what she wanted the shop to look like, down to its pinkand-white wallpaper. The store survived a decline in business - and a previous burglary - during the coronavirus pandemic, Irvine said.

When Irvine arrived at the shop Friday and reviewed the surveillance video from the break-in, she couldn’t help but laugh. She believed the man must have felt some remorse since he tried to clean up the pieces of glass.

“I think he just wanted some delicious cupcakes,” Irvine said.

Still, Irvine had to fix the mess. She reported the crime to police and called her insurance company. She used a large piece of wood to cover the door.

The thief wore orange sunglasses in the three selfies he captured. Trying to joke about the situation, Irvine baked sugar cookies

It is the Daily Republic’s policy to correct errors in reporting. If you notice an error, please call the Daily Republic at 425-4646 during business hours weekdays and ask to speak to the editor in charge of the section where the error occurred. Corrections will be printed here.

in the shape of orange sunglasses on Saturday. She placed the cookies on top of chocolate champagne cupcakes and marketed them to customers as “Crime of Passion” cupcakes.

On Monday, the thief called to speak with Irvine. He said he would pay for the roughly $850 door

repairs and offered to gift Irvine his orange sunglasses. He told her that the cupcakes were delicious.

“It kind of closed the chapter,” Irvine said. “You humanize the person on the other end of it. It’s not very common that somebody calls in and says, ‘I’m sorry I did that.’”

Police said no arrests have been made but they’re still investigating the incident.

The break-in has helped business, Irvine said. While the store typically served its Vancouver community, Irvine said many customers have recently ordered from the United States.

Suzanne Bruce The Poetry Connection

Emma Irvine/TikTok

Emma Irvine, the owner of Sweet Something, baked sugar cookies in the shape of orange sunglasses to joke about the burglar.

Speakers tell supervisors to do more than talk about Juneteenth

FAIRFIELD — The Solano County supervisors on Tuesday recognized June 19 as Juneteenth in Solano County – recognizing that on June 19, 1865, more than 250,000 African slaves were finally freed in Texas.

That came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, declaring that all persons held as slaves “within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free.”

While several speakers noted the importance of the county resolution, they told the board that actions are bigger than words and that June 19 should be recognized as a county holiday employees get off to celebrate just as Americans celebrate July 4.

The speakers, representatives of various employee groups, said that the county had promised that any employee who requested the day off would get it. They told the board that promise has not been kept.

“I think it is power-

ful that the county is doing the resolution, but the only issue is it’s not enough,” Akbar Bibb, vice president of Region A of Service Employees International Union Local No. 1021, told the board. “Let’s stand; let’s take action ... Stand with us.”

Elizabeth Harrison, a social worker for the county Adult Protective Services, added, “When we ask for a holiday, it is not just for the sake of a

holiday ... It is a jubilee ... it’s a day to remember.”

And Greg Carter said that “every other holiday is an appreciation of what you’ve done. We haven’t been told ‘we appreciate what you’ve done.”

Supervisor Wanda Williams, the first elected black woman on the board who also issued a district proclamation to the TriCity NAACP for its work in the community, took exception to having what

Supervisors give nearly $30,000 to community groups

FAIRFIELD — The Solano County supervisors on Tuesday doled out $28,770 to community organizations from the general fund accounts assigned to four of their five districts.

Foundation ($1,500), Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District ($1,500), Vallejo City Unified School District ($750), California Maritime Academy Foundation ($500) and the Filipino Community of Solano County ($250).

has been a federal holiday since 2021 be used as a bargaining chip during labor negotiations.

“When you do that, it’s like taking my ancestors and putting them back on the (slave auction) block and used as barter,” Williams said. She called for the board to bring the issue back and vote to make Juneteenth a holiday the county employees get off.

Supervisor calls on Solano to remember Normandy

Daily Republic Staff

DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD —

Tuesday marked the 79th anniversary of the start of the Normandy invasion.

Solano County Supervisor Monica Brown, prior to leading the board chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance – and adding as she always does “some day,” after the final phrase of “liberty and justice for all” – called on the residents of the county to remember the importance of June 6, 1944.

It was, appropriately, a Tuesday.

More than 195,000 military personnel and 7,000 ships and landing craft from eight countries, participated in Operation Overload, what has commonly come to be known as D-Day – the largest seaborne invasion in history.

“At 1:30 a.m. the 101st U.S. Airborne Division began landing behind Utah beach to secure the exits from the beach, and the 82d U.S. Airborne Division began landing at 2:30 a.m. to secure bridges on the right flank of the beachhead. Thick cloud cover also hindered the air insertion, and many of the units missed their landing zones, often by miles,” according to a White House archive account.

“On the coastline, the second phase began at 5:30 a.m. ... when six Allied divisions and numerous small units began

landing on five beaches. The Allies landed more than 160,000 troops at Normandy, of which 73,000 were American.”

In all, there were 1.527 million U.S. troops who were part of the full operation and landings on Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beach sectors. It took six days to connect all the beachheads and 29,000 Americans died; another 106,000 were wounded.

“From D-Day through Aug. 21, the Allies landed more than 2 million men in northern France and suffered more than 226,386 casualties: 72,911 killed or missing

and 153,475 wounded,” the White House account states.

“The Normandy American Cemetery is the resting place for 9,387 Americans, most of whom gave their lives during the landing operations and in the establishment of the beachhead. The names of 1,557 soldiers are inscribed on tablets in the cemetery’s Garden of the Missing. They came from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The remains of approximately 14,000 others originally buried in this region were returned home at the request of their next of kin. A father and his son are buried here, side by

side, and in 33 instances two brothers rest side by side. The headstones are of white Italian marble –a Star of David for those of Jewish faith and a Latin Cross for all others,” the archive states.

The board approved $9,000 from the District 1 (Erin Hannigan) account to benefit The Arc-Solano ($1,000), Eric Reyes Foundation ($500), Faith Food Friday ($1,000), Friends of Loma Vista Farm ($1,000), On The Move, VOICES Youth Program ($1,000), Watch Me Grow ($1,500), Solano Pride ($1,000), Meals on Wheels ($1,000) and Community Cat Advocates and Rescue ($1,000).

Another $8,500 came from the District 3 (Wanda Williams) account to benefit the Solano County Farm Bureau Ag Education Foundation ($1,000), Solano Community College Education Foundation ($1,500), Found It! ($1,500), Princess Transitional Living for Women ($1,500), SafeQuest, Solano, Inc. ($1,000), Meals on Wheels of Solano County, Inc. ($1,000) and the Suisun Marsh Natural History Association ($1,000).

The board approved $8,250 from the District 2 (Monica Brown) account to benefit Rodriguez Music Boosters ($2,000), Benicia Unified School District ($1,750), Solano Community College Educational

Finally, $3,000 from the District 5 (Mitch Mashburn) fund went to benefit American Legion Auxiliary Post 165 for their Girls State program ($500), American Legion Post 165 for their Boys State program ($500), Leaders of Men Inc. ($1,000) and the Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club ($1,000).

In other action, the board:

n Recognized Liza H. Schlemmer, eligibility benefits specialist, upon her retirement with more than 30 years in the Solano County Department of Health and Social Service, Employment and Eligibility Services Division.

n Recognized June as National Homeownership Month in Solano County.

n Recognized Benicia Public Library’s 30th year at its current location, 150 E. L St.

n Recognized June 3-11, as Invasive Species Action Week.

n Reappointed Ross Sagun to the Airport Land Use Commission, representing District 2, for a term ending May 6, 2024.

n Appointed Nikila Walker-Gibson to the First 5 Commission,

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file (2018)

Angie Washington dances during the Juneteenth Celebration at Martin Luther King, Jr., Park in Vallejo, June 16, 2018.

Public Domain

Landing ships putting cargo ashore on Omaha Beach, at low tide during the first days of the operation, mid-1944.

See

Daily Republic Staff

DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — U.S. Immigration and Customs, for the second straight year, did not detain any of the inmates locked up in Solano County jails.

The federal agency did request detainers on 60 inmates during 2022, but did not come to pick them up when they were released from the local jail.

Undersheriff Brad DeWall on Tuesday made the required Truth Act report to the Board of Supervisors. He said there were 9,444 bookings in the local jail, down from the 2021 total of 9,968 in 2021. It marks at least the fifth straight year that bookings are down.

When asked to explain that, DeWall said that it is a “complicated answer,” but includes new laws, changes in court actions and declining police staffs.

The Truth Act was signed into law by then Gov. Jerry Brown in September 2016, and sets the guidelines for how federal agencies can contact inmates and the local jails.

In 2017, the first year of the law, Solano County ICE picked up 15 of the 98 inmates for which detainers were requested. There were 15,555 bookings that year. The next highest number is seven detained inmates the following year.

The primary reasons for ICE to detain an inmate is because that person has a violent criminal history and is in the country illegally.

I n other action, the board:

n Set Solano County’s countywide appropriations limit of $845.31 million, the Consolidated County Service Area appropriations limit of $324,203, and the East Vallejo Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $1.49 million for fiscal year 2023-24.

n Acceptd the Quarterly Review of the Statement of Assets of the Solano County Treasury as of March 31.

n Approved a fouryear, $775,566 contract with Paragon Government Relations for federal advocacy services, from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2027.

n Revised the classi-

Parks and Recreation Commission to vote on more pickleball courts

fication of Benefits and Fiscal manager to Benefits manager.

n Accepted a $9,166 grant modification from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Family Justice Center, for a total grant award of $329,758 for the period ending March 31, 2024.

n Set July 25, 2023 as a noticed public hearing date to consider adoption of Solano County Board of Supervisors resolution that confirms delinquent accounts for mandatory garbage collection, disposal and recycling services in the unincorporated areas of Vacaville, Dixon, Elmira, Rio Vista, Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield and Suisun;. A $62 administrative charge for lien processing will also be considered.

n Approve a the $28,938 purchase of a Seraphin retail motor fuel testing unit for weights and measures inspections.

n Approved a $920,783 revenue contract with the California Department of Aging to provide Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging support services. through March 31, 2026.

n Approved a $99,000 appropriation transfer for fiscal year 2022-23 to recognize unanticipated revenue from the California Department of Health Care Services for the provision of Clinic Workforce Stabilization Retention payments.

n Approve a $138,200 contract with Michael Brady to facilitate National Incident Management System training courses through June 30, 2024.

n Approve the Workforce Development Board of Solano required application for Local Area Subsequent Designation and Local Board Recertification to California for Program Year 2023-25.

n Approved the Workforce Development Board of Solano County master list of contracts and amendments including four regional initiative contracts and four local service provider contracts/amendments for various terms totaling $1.58 million.

The commission meets at 6 p.m. in the Vacaville Council Chambers, 650 Merchant St.

The Vacaville pickleball community has experienced considerable growth in the last few years, but currently have no dedicated courts in town, said a staff report.

The sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It’s played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

Vacaville Pickleball website noted during the pandemic lockdown, interest in pickleball surged. “It fit all of the requirements needed to exercise within the health restrictions. It is easy to learn and played outdoors. This was especially important once the health clubs closed their doors,” it reads.

Vacaville has 17 tennis court. Three tennis courts at North Orchard are

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic file (2014) Fenton Douglass returns the ball during a pickleball game at the Three Oaks Community Center in Vacaville, Nov. 25, 2014.

double striped which provide three of the seven pickleball striped courts in town.

Four tennis courts at Centennial Park are currently unusable due to fallen fencing. At the moment, North Orchard Park has absorbed the Department’s tennis programming and therefore staff recommends that the proposed pickleball con-

version occur only after the fencing has been repaired at Centennial Park.

In discussions with Public Works, is a plan to integrate and align this permanent conversion with the crack repair and resurfacing efforts scheduled for North Orchard Park in 2024.

The funding source is to be determined but could come from a variety

of funding sources including the General Fund and Measure M. The cost of the conversion is approximately $30,000 plus the cost for permanent nets and soft costs. The approximate $21,000 needed for the resurfacing of the two tennis courts will be covered by the Parks Beautification Fund.

Fairfield-Suisun’s AAA bonds rating demonstrates financial stability

Daily Republic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District announced Fitch Ratings has affirmed the district’s general obligation bonds at the highest rating of AAA, with a stable outlook.

The credit rating assigned serves as a measure of the safety and security of the school district’s bonds for potential investors. Similar to personal credit scores, the GO Bond credit rating system provides a range of ratings that help investors gauge the level of risk associated with an investment.

The AAA rating is the highest attainable rating and signifies an exceptional level of creditworthiness.

“The affirmation by Fitch of our ‘AAA’ rating reflects FSUSD’s strong financial management and responsible practices,” said Laneia Grindle, assistant superintendent of Business Services. “This rating enables the district to secure the necessary funding at favorable interest rates, allowing us to invest in the future of our

students and provide them with the resources they need to succeed.”

In addition to the ‘AAA’ rating for bonds, Fitch Ratings also assigned the school district a default rating of AA-, which is considered “high grade.”

A default rating measures the district’s ability

to meet its financial obligations and manage its debt responsibly. The AArating further reinforces the district’s commitment to maintaining a solid financial position.

This is news or information provided by members of the community as individuals or on behalf of an

Ronald Cupid

organization or business. It publishes in a community space that’s separate from the Daily Republic’s news, sports, entertainment and opinion sections of the website. The views expressed in this space do not represent the views of the Daily Republic.

AIR

FORCE VETERAN

Ronald Albert Cupid of Fairfield, CA. passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the age of 74. He had fought a long battle with cancer. Ronald was born on June 1, 1948 in New York City to Albert and Gloria Cupid. He served in the Air Force, and transferred to California. His hobbies included golfing, music, playing the alto saxophone, and being an active member with Grace Episcopal Church, and Grace Episcopal Mens’ group (GEM). He volunteered with community non-profit organizations. Ronald’s career with Exxon Refinery, now Valero, in Benicia, CA. began in 1973 and spanned for 30 years. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Alma Cupid, whom he met and married during his time in the Air Force. They have three daughters: Dysha Cupid, Veronica Cupid, Rhonda Cupid, and a step son Christopher Gadberry. Ronald also has two grandchildren: Hannah and Patrice Cupid. Ronald has a sister Deborah Cupid of Fairfield, CA.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and grandmother. Ronald will be remembered for his dedication to Grace Episcopal Church and many community organizations. He along with Grace Episcopal Church participated in the coat drive for school children at Fair view Elementar y. Ronald volunteered with Nami (National Alliance on Mental Illness), by donating holiday gift bags, and participating in the NAMI/Walks your way, and with the Walk to end Alzheimer’s Team Grace. Ronald selflessly strived to bring awareness and unity with his volunteerism, up until the end of his fight with cancer Ronald has a great smile that was warm and inviting, he was compassionate and relentless. He was witty, organized, had a strong work ethic, and was an excellent communicator. He was loved and will be truly missed.

President Vic Ramos

President: Dorothy Andrews dorothy.andrews@sicentralsolano.com

Membership: Karen Calvert karen.calvert@sicentralsolano.com www.SICentralSolano.com

Truth is: ICE didn’t pick up any Solano inmates in 2022

Doctors in Davis knife rampage case to get first look at medical records, rules judge

tRibune content agency

SACRAMENTO — Doctors determining Carlos Reales Dominguez’s mental fitness will get the first look at his medical records before prosecutors, the judge in the deadly Davis stabbing spree case said Tuesday.

Yolo Superior Court Judge Samuel McAdam stopped short of granting defense motions to block Yolo County prosecutors from receiving Reales Dominguez’s medical and mental health records at a Tuesday evidence hearing in Woodland.

Reales Dominguez stands accused in the knife murders of two Davis men and attempted murder in the critical wounding of a third woman. With a competency hearing in two weeks to determine whether the 21-year-old former UC Davis student is mentally fit to stand trial, McAdam said he would wait to hear from doctors at the June 20 hearing.

Reales Dominguez was a third-year student studying biological sciences before his April 25 expulsion for academic reasons.

Days later came the April 27 knife attack that killed David Henry Breaux, 50, in the city’s Central Park.

Karim Aboj Najm, 20, the UC Davis student and son of a university professor killed April 29 as he

walked through Davis’ Sycamore Park. Najm was the second victim of the weeklong rampage that terrified Davis.

Kimberly Guillory was stabbed and critically wounded just before midnight May 1 as she slept inside her tent home near Second and L streets but survived her attack.

McAdam in May suspended criminal proceedings against Reales Dominguez after his attorney, Yolo County Deputy Public Defender Daniel Hutchinson, doubted whether his client could proceed with his defense.

“It’s highly unlikely these medical records won’t be produced at some point,” McAdam said from

the bench on Tuesday. “I’d like to see the doctors’ reports first. I think the prosecution can wait.”

Prosecuting attorney Matt DeMora will receive incident reports from Davis Fire Department officials and emergency crews who responded to the three attacks, McAdam ruled.

Reales Dominguez appeared again beside counsel Hutchinson in what has become customary uniform: a near-body-length green safety suit to protect him from harming himself and shackles about the waist and wrists, as two Yolo County Sheriff’s bailiffs stood close watch on either side.

Cleanup of North Texas spill continues

Daily Republic Staff

DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — Cleanup of 15 gallons of non-PCB mineral oil from a May 31 spill on North Texas

Street continued Monday. The discharge was considered low risk for humans and medium risk to the environment in a Solano County Environmental Health report.

The incident occurred when a vehicle struck a pad-mounted transformer at 3345 N. Texas St. It was reported to PG&E and then to the county, the report states.

Dodd announces state elder abuse month resolution

Daily Republic DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — The state Legislature has adopted Senate Con current Resolution 64, designating June as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month.

Reales Dominguez in May asked that Hutchinson be removed as counsel, telling McAdam that he wanted to represent himself. He sat silent on Tuesday. In the gallery, rows were empty but for Najm’s family. Najm’s father, Majdi Abou-Najm, wearing a T-shirt printed with a photo of his son under a black blazer, said after the brief morning hearing that family members planned to attend the hearing throughout the judicial journey. Their mission: “To talk about the beautiful soul who was taken away from us.”

PCB refers to polychlorinated biphenyls, which are highly carcinogenic chemical compounds. Production of PCBs was banned in the United States in 1979. A call to Environmental Health was not returned.

“Unfortunately, not a day goes by without reports of horrific cases of abuse or exploitation of the elderly or adults with disabilities,” state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, said in a statement. He authored the resolution. “Turning a spotlight on the tragic nature of this problem as well as the warning signs are critical steps toward prevention. It is critical that we pay particular attention to how this crisis is affecting the homeless.”

Dodd’s office reported that 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the U.S., and California’s senior population is the state’s fastest growing demographic. It was estimated in 2021 that 14.8% of California’s total population – approximately 5.8 million people – are 65 or older, the statement said.

There are 6 million cases of elder abuse nationwide with 11% of all cases in California, according to the National

In brief

Center on Elder Abuse.

The theme of Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month is “California’s Response to Homelessness in Older Adults and People with Disabilities.”

“One in every nine individuals over 65 is living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and up to 25% experience mild cognitive impairment. During the Covid-19 pandemic, seniors experienced an increase in stress and isolation, both of which have been shown to be highly detrimental to health,” the statement added.

Learn about Suisun City’s LLD’s on Thursday

SUISUN CITY — Got questions about lighting and landscaping districts?

A 2 p.m. session on Thursday in the city council chambers, 701 Civic Center Blvd., is the place to get them answered. The event is scheduled to last one hour.

Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS

Carlos Reales Dominguez, who is charged with fatally stabbing two men in Davis, California, and wounding a third victim, prepares to leave the courtroom after appearing before Yolo Superior Court Judge Samuel McAdam, with court-appointed public defender Dan Hutchinson, Tuesday.

Robinson Kuntz/ Daily Republic file (2015) Bill Dodd interacts with supporters at an event at Eagle Vines Golf Club in Napa, in 2015.

Budweiser plant part of EPA settlement

Daily

Republic

“Anheuser-Busch will pay $537,000 in penalties and implement a com prehensive safety review of all eleven of its brew eries that use anhydrous ammonia,” the EPA said in a statement.

The safety review will occur at facilities located in New Hampshire, California, Colorado, Texas, O hio, Florida, New York, Virginia, Georgia and Missouri.

“This settlement will help protect workers and the local community near Anheuser-Busch’s facility in Fairfield ... by requiring key updates to the brewery’s health and safety practices,” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said in the statement. “EPA is committed to holding companies accountable if they fail to adequately prepare for and prevent chemical accidents, especially for dangerous chemicals such

Groups

From Page A3

representing District 3, for a term to end on May 31, 2027.

n Appointed Sean Smith to the Solano County Fair Association board of directors, representing District 2, for a term ending Aug. 1, 2027.

n Adopted H. Kent Hansen to the Suisun Resource Conservation

as anhydrous ammonia.”

The settlement states that between 2016 and 2019, the EPA conducted inspections at three of Anheuser-Busch’s facilities located in Fairfield, Merrimack, New Hampshire, and Fort Collins, Colorado. The agency also investigated an ammonia release that occurred in 2018 at Anheuser-Busch’s Fort Collins Facility, injuring two employees. “Anheuser-Busch must hire an outside, independent expert to conduct a safety review at each of its 11 flagship breweries nationwide that use anhydrous ammonia, in accordance with two of the most recent and com-

board of directors to complete the remainder of a term ending Nov. 29, 2024.

n Appointed Glenn Loveall as the labor representative to the Workforce Development Board of Solano County for a term ending June 5, 2027.

n Approved the application of a grant contract with the California Arts Council for the activity period of Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2024. No amount was listed.

prehensive ammonia refrigeration industry standards and issue recommended actions based on those reviews. AnheuserBusch must also develop and implement corrective action plans based on those reviews. These terms will provide increased pro-

Crockett motorcyclist dies after collision

tection to approximately 172,000 people in the communities surrounding Anheuser-Busch’s facilities,” the statement said.

Many of the allegations, the EPA stated, are related to Anheuser-Busch’s “failure to comply with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.”

Anhydrous ammonia is an efficient refrigerant with low global warming potential, but it must be handled with care because it is corrosive to skin, eyes and lungs. Annually there are approximately 120 catastrophic accidents nationwide at facilities that make, use, or store extremely hazardous substances. These accidents result in fatalities and serious injuries, evacuations, and other harm to human health and the environment, the EPA reported.

Daily Republic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

VALLEJO — A

47-year-old motorcyclist was killed Sunday when he slammed into the side of a Ford SUV as he tried to pass through the eastbound lane of Nebraska Street while the utility vehicle was turning, the city Police Department reported.

Melchis Johnson, of Crockett, died at the scene. The man’s identification was provided by the Solano County SheriffCoroner’s Office.

“The initial investigation revealed the Suzuki ... was traveling westbound

on Nebraska Street when it struck the driver’s side of the Ford. The operator of the Ford, a 47-year-old Vacaville resident, was traveling westbound on Nebraska Street, making a left turn into a private driveway,” the Police Department reported.

“Witness accounts and evidence collected at the scene indicates the motorcyclist attempted to pass the Ford by driving westbound in the eastbound lane.”

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Brian Cox hasn’t seen the ‘Succession’ finale:

‘When I’m over, it’s over’

Los A ngeLes Times

Logan Roy didn’t live to see the fate of his multibillion-dollar company so it’s only fitting that Brian Cox hasn’t seen the series finale of “Succession.”

Cox, who plays Logan, admitted Sunday that he hasn’t watched the final episode of the hit HBO drama after his character died earlier in the season. However, the Scottish actor claimed he already “knew how it was going to end because ... Logan had already set it up.”

Asked by the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg why he hasn’t kept up with the show, Cox joked, “I’m dead. Dead people don’t watch things like that.”

“I’ve never liked watching myself, for a start,” he elaborated in earnest.

“And somehow or other, because of what happened to Logan, I’ve

been disinclined to watch the rest. ... I gather that ultimately, in the end, Logan’s won through – even though he’s in the grave. But it’s a strange situation. ... I don’t cling onto things. When I’m over, it’s over, and I go on.”

Five years after it began, “Succession” culminated last week in a climactic battle between the Roy children and tech mogul Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgard) over Waystar Royco –the media conglomerate that Logan founded and attempted to sell to Matsson before his shocking death in Season 4, Episode 3. Despite the Roy siblings’ repeated attempts to ascend the Waystar throne, the deal finally went through with none of them on top – a devastating ending that satisfied Cox.

Pickles Brian Crane

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

Pearls Before Swine Stephan Pastis

Candorville Darrin Bell

Baby Blues Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott

Baldo Hector Cantú

Crime logs

FairField

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

12:51 a.m. — Trespassing, 2900 block of REBECCA DRIVE

1:04 a.m. — Reckless driver, EASTBOUND INTERSTATE 80

4:16 a.m. — Trespassing, 2900 block of NORTH TEXAS STREET

10:00 a.m. — Trespassing, 2200 block of PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE

11:11 a.m. — Trespassing, 1700 block of WEST TEXAS STREET

2:44 p.m. — Reckless driver, LYON ROAD

3:41 p.m. — Trespassing, 2100 block of NORTH TEXAS STREET

3:41 p.m. — Battery, 1600 block of CAPITOLA WAY

3:48 p.m. — Battery, 1300 block of PHOENIX DRIVE

4:19 p.m. — Vehicle theft, 900 block of EAST TRAVIS BOULEVARD

4:48 p.m. — Hit-and-run property damage, HEATH DRIVE 5:52 p.m. — Battery, 500 block of WOODLAKE DRIVE

7:01 p.m. — Hit-and-run property damage, DAHLIA STREET

7:25 p.m. — Trespassing, 2100 block of NORTH TEXAS STREET

7:56 p.m. — Battery, 300 block of MADISON STREET

9:33 p.m. — Hit-and-run property damage, 2000 block of CARDINAL WAY

10:20 p.m. — Residential burglary, 300 block of HAMILTON DRIVE

MONDAY, JUNE 5

4:33 a.m. — Battery, 1400 block of WEST TEXAS STREET

6:26 a.m. — Vehicle burglary, MANCHESTER DRIVE

7:00 a.m. — Forgery, 1100 block of TABOR AVENUE

8:36 a.m. — Vandalism, 800 block of TAYLOR STREET

8:39 a.m. — Brandishing a weapon, SUISUN VALLEY ROAD

10:33 a.m. — Forgery, 200 block of BECK AVENUE

10:43 a.m. — Vehicle theft,

of Cisco Systems hardware, software licenses and maintenance, and professional services to maintain the Solano County data center and network service.

n Approved the Department of Information Technology master list of contracts totaling $2.04 million including three contracts and one contract amendment providing for a variety of technology services and department support effective July 1, 2023.

n Authorized District Attorney Krishna Abrams to execute a $233,559 revenue contract with the California Victim Compensation Board to fund victim restitution services through June 30, 2026.

n Approved a $250,000 contract amendment with Capitol Advocacy Partners, for a total contract of $370,000,

2300 block of CAMPBELL CIRCLE

1:19 p.m. — Vandalism, 600 block of KENTUCKY STREET

1:34 p.m. — Trespassing, 2000 block of CADENASSO DRIVE

2:58 p.m. — Hit-and-run with injury, PITTMAN ROAD

3:07 p.m. — Trespassing, 800 block of WASHINGTON STREET

3:58 p.m. — Forgery, 1300 block of GATEWAY BOULEVARD

4:23 p.m. — Hit-and-run with injury, 2700 block of NORTH TEXAS STREET

4:25 p.m. — Reckless driver, ATLANTIC AVENUE

4:31 p.m. — Vandalism, 5100 block of DARTMOOR CIRCLE

4:35 p.m. — Forgery, 1200 block of ILLINOIS STREET

4:53 p.m. — Trespassing, 2000 block of PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE

5:22 p.m. — Reckless driver, EASTBOUND AIR BASE PARKWAY 8:47 p.m. — Grand theft, 4300 block of THE MASTERS DRIVE

SuiSun City

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

9:20 a.m. — Burglary, 200 block of SUNSET

for identifying competitive funding opportunities for Solano County at targeted agencies through June 30, 2024.

n Authorized the Probation Department to participate in the Mobile Probation Service Centers Grant Program funded through the State Budget Act and administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections through Sept. 30, 2027, and approved the submission and acceptance of a $370,000the grant.

n Authorized Resource Management Director Terry Schmidtbauer to execute Regional Transportation Impact Fee funding agreements with the Solano Transportation Authority for McCormack Road Phase 2 Improvements and Countywide Safety Improvements; and approved a $371,596 appropriation transfer of Public Facility Fee revenues, designated for RTIF funding, to the Road Fund toward the outstanding General Fund loan balance of about $881,000.

Open Farm Days scheduled July 15-16 in Vacaville

VACAVILLE — The Pleasants Valley Agriculture Association will host its sixth annual Open Farm Days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 15-16.

Wine, produce, honey, farm animals and baked goods are just a few of the offerings.

For more information, visit https://pleasantsvalley agricultureassociation.com.

to central and eastern European leaders at the B-9 summit in Slovakia.

Russian forces controlled the hydro power plant for more than a year “and they blew it up,” he said.

Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the dam has been seen as a potential target for its strategic importance. It supplies the cooling reservoir for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and feeds into water reserves in the Crimea peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014. Zelenskiy warned in October that Russia had mined the dam and would destroy it to pre-empt an offensive aimed at reclaiming occupied southern and eastern regions of Ukraine.

Russia “categorically” denies any involvement in the destruction of the dam, which was sabotaged by the Ukrainian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to the Interfax news service.

The Kremlin’s claims “are nonsense,” Ukrainian security council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said.

It’s possible Ukraine’s counteroffensive has now begun amid a recent intensification of military operations, a senior NATO official said. While it’s too early to assess responsibility for the flooding, Russia may have had a motive to do it out of fear of where Ukraine’s forces would strike, the official said.

“The attack on the dam is, after all, one that we have long feared,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told RTL television in an interview to be aired later Tuesday. “This is an aggression of the Russian

side to stop the Ukrainian offensive to defend their own country.”

Zelenskiy summoned his national security and defense council to discuss the damage as officials moved to evacuate people from dozens of towns and villages in southern Ukraine including the city of Kherson along the Dnipro river. Russian forces in Kherson region dug in on the opposite bank continued shelling flooded settlements as evacuation efforts were under way, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in televised comments. N ATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the destruction of the dam “once again exposes the brutality of Russia.” The North Atlantic Treaty Organization will take “significant” decisions to strengthen support for Kyiv at the alliance’s summit in Lithuania next month that “will bring Ukraine closer to NATO,” he told the B-9 meeting.

Fighting has spread along the front lines in recent days in the east and south of Ukraine. The flooding will force Russian troops near the Dnipro to retreat, which may reduce the intensity of shelling against territories Ukraine controls, Ukrainian southern military spokeswoman Nataliya Humenyuk said

discussions, and said he does not think those individuals involved in the appointment process had predetermined the selection, either.

in televised remarks on the Radio Liberty website.

The situation at the nuclear plant that’s occupied by Russia is under control, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told a government meeting, according to a video on his Telegram channel.

There’s “no immediate risk to the safety of the plant,” though it’s “vital” that the cooling pond remains intact, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said in a statement.

Ukraine separately reported Russian shelling damaged the ammonia pipeline in the Kharkiv region close to the border between the countries. Russia regards the pipeline, which was closed down after the war began, as a key issue in talks on maintaining grain shipments through the Black Sea corridor.

While crops aren’t directly at risk, wheat prices surged as much as 3% on Tuesday over supply concerns, extending their climb from a 30-month low last week. The dam’s destruction “looks like a big escalation with dire consequences and huge headline risk,” Andrey Sizov, managing director at agricultural consultant SovEcon, said in a tweet.

The possibility of Russia blowing up the

on Sept. 12.

Kakhovka plant was fully factored into Ukraine’s military planning, Serhii Naiev, commander of the United Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Ukrinform news website. More than 80 settlements and Kherson city lie within the flood zone which could affect hundreds of thousands of people, Ukrainian Deputy Infrastructure Minister Mustafa Nayyem said on Twitter. The hydro power station, that Russia has decoupled from Ukraine’s grid, provided electricity to more than 3 million people and is a “crucial part of the country’s energy infrastructure,” he said.

Residents of some settlements in the flood zone occupied by Russia are being moved though a large-scale evacuation isn’t planned, the Tass news service reported, citing the local authorities.

The Kakhovka plant is completely ruined and over 450 tons of engine oil that were in its machinery are now in the floodwater, Ihor Syrota, director of Ukraine’s hydro power plants operator Ukrhydroenergo, said on television.

Ukraine’s state emergency service warned people that mines and explosives set loose by the water were being washed through flooded areas, according to its Telegram channel.

There’s no risk of flooding in Crimea as a result of the damage to the dam, said Sergei Aksyonov, who heads the Russian administration in the Black Sea peninsula, Interfax reported. While reservoirs for drinking water are about 80% full, the flow into the canal delivering supplies to the region may decline and work is under way to minimize losses, he said.

need to be part of all the solutions. The parent group has forced a special election in Trustee Area 4 after the school board had appointed former Trustee David McCallum to replace Cecil Conley, who has resigned.

Three candidates were interviewed for the appointment, including Brewer. She described the questions as generic. She and Bettencourt are among those who believe the board had already decided to appoint McCallum before the interviews were ever held.

Santopadre said he was never part of any such

Brewer said she understands there are people who will think the special election is just “sour grapes” after not being selected.

However, she has opted not to run in the special election, saying she is better suited in a role of organizer within the group; someone who can distribute information and represent parents at the board meetings.

Instead, Jenny Callison, who lost to Lori Wilson in the 11th Assembly District election, has been chosen to represent the group’s interests in the special election

Callison has yet to file her candidate papers with the county Registrar of Voters. McCallum and Michael Martin, as of Monday, have filed their nomination papers. The nomination period closes on June 16.

Bettencourt said the group is prepared to force another special election in Trustee Area 6. Kelly Welsh is moving out of the district so was forced to resign. The group is waiting to see if the school board opts to go through the interview process again, or call for a special election on its own.

“If they do the appointment thing, we will seek a special election,” Bettencourt said.

She said the group is actually trying to “flip”

four trustee areas in order to have a voting majority on the sevenmember board.

That has been a strategy of what are often described as far-right groups, who are trying to gain control of local boards to establish their political philosophies as policy.

Bettencourt said the group, connected by Facebook, is about 500 strong.

All are approved for membership through a vetting process. She said about two-thirds of the members live in Trustee Area 4, but it has representation in all the trustee areas. She lives in Trustee Area 2. The Area 4 election will cost the district about $113,000 based on the number of registered voters. The cost of an Area 6 election is unknown.

country is not for the faint of heart, Coughlan explained, writing it will “beat you up and bring your to your knees if you let it.”

He compared to a dance, a delicate balance of steady, forward motion, sometimes sprinting across a bridge after a long wait for traffic, constant attention to the vehicles every mile while making sure he remains hydrated, fed and rested. This run comes with more than 10,000 miles of

wear and tear from life, and the previous USA runs and Ireland.

“My left hip, left knee and left ankle are already naturally compromised and weaker from walking against traffic on the left side of the road in previous runs. I wear a left knee brace, and just added a left ankle brace,” he wrote.

On Monday, Coughlan switched to another pair of shoes. He estimated he would arrive in Idaho in two weeks and Montana in three weeks.

“Now I climb to Stevens Pass, 4,000 feet,” he wrote. He made it. Learn more at https:// www.run4revival.org.

Partnership HealthPlan funds non-traditional homeless program

SuSan Hiland

SHILAND@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — Partnership HealthPlan of California gave $550,000 in state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) funds to community organizations through the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP).

HHIP is a new DHCS program that provides immediate and specialized aid to Medi-Cal recipients experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. This program is made to ensure the members have access to their health care no matter their housing status and assist them in achieving housing security.

This street medicine

grant will allow the various providers to build capacity to deliver adequate medical care and social services to the members who are unhoused and unsheltered, by getting them services where they live and eliminate barriers to care access.

The funds were given to 15 organizations entities in 13 counties who are committed to improving the lives of marginalized groups by meeting members where they are and providing care in non-traditional settings.

Through HHIP, community-based housing agencies address homelessness by providing both rapid rehousing and interim housing for MediCal families, youth, and

Man, 20, missing since Sunday after apparent drowning on South Yuba River

Tribune ConTenT agenCy

disabled members, access and connection to housing services, as well as other social services in order to improve whole person health and bridge the gap to care for our members facing housing insecurity.

HHIP works in tandem with CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal) – a multi-year initiative by DHCS – as part of a broader approach to wellness in caring for our members.

Applications were reviewed this spring and funds will be disbursed over the summer.

More information can be found at www.partner shiphp.org/Community/ Pages/CalAIM.

A 20-year-old Stockton man has been missing since Sunday afternoon after presumably drowning in Northern California’s South Yuba River, authorities said.

The man disappeared in the river around 4 p.m. Sunday near Nevada County’s Bridgeport area, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Consolidated Fire District said Tuesday in social media posts.

A multi-agency search took place Monday involving sheriff’s deputies, California State Parks officials, multiple fire departments and a dive team.

“After a lengthy and

difficult search the person was not located,” Nevada County Consolidated Fire District officials wrote. “Yet another unfortunate reminder of how unforgiving the river is.”

Searches remain ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

The presumed drowning would mark at least the second this year on the South Yuba River. A 17-year-old from Washington state died in April while kayaking on the river, Nevada County fire officials said.

“We can’t repeat the warning enough, please stay out of the Yuba River, it is not safe for swimming at this time,” Nevada County deputies wrote.

Authorities continue

SHOP LOCAL! Shop Downtown Fairfield

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In addition Burritos, Tostadas, Super Nachos, Chimichanga, Tortas, Quesadilas and Flautas are also included in their menu. Saturday and Sundays; Birria (BBQ Goat) and Menudo is served.

to urge people to avoid Northern California rivers and other waterways, many of which are cold and raging due to record snowpack levels from winter. According to public safety officials and the National Weather Service, the waterways likely will not be warm enough for safe recreation until at least late July or early August.

A 15-year-old boy drowned Sunday evening on the Sacramento River near Sand Cove Park, Sacramento Fire Department officials said. Two drownings were reported last month on the American River in Placer County.

4 grains of could you.

But they’re really counterfeits designed to look just like the real thing. What’s worse, half of those pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl, a drug 100x stronger than

counterfeit designed to look just like a morphine and 50x more potent than heroine.

Giants have a beefed-up batting order in Denver B10

PGA, LIV Golf agree to surprise merger

SaM farMer LOS ANGELES TIMES

What a landmark day for golf. Everybody is under one big umbrella. The wedge is gone.

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have beaten their raised four-irons into plowshares, dropped their lawsuits and are happily moving forward arm in arm.

“After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and

love,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, revealing the stunning news Tuesday that the battling leagues – including the DP World Tour (also known as the European Tour) – are merging to form a yet-unnamed, forprofit entity with funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

But what about the days to come? We’ve seen the celebration. Now comes the fallout.

This hasn’t just been “disruption and distrac-

tion.” The Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series was painted, maybe rightly so, as a cataclysmic threat to the game. It pitted player against player, the loyalists who stood by the PGA Tour, sometimes turning down the guarantee of generational wealth, and the players many viewed as traitorous for switching sides to accept the “dirty” money due to Saudi Arabia’s history of human rights violations.

And now all is forgotten?

Consider the case of

rising star Will Zalatoris. He reportedly turned down $130 million from LIV earlier this year. He was runner-up at the 2021 Masters, lost in a playoff at the 2022 PGA Championship, and nearly forced a playoff at last year’s U.S. Open.

Zalatoris pulled out of the Masters in April just before his firstround tee time because of a back injury, and later announced he had undergone surgery and is done for the year. Lots

Xfinity Series ready for first race in Sonoma with the DoorDash 250

SonoM a r aceway

SONOMA — The engines are revving and the excitement is building as NASCAR heads to Sonoma Raceway this weekend for the inaugural DoorDash 250 and the the 31st running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350. For the first time at Sonoma Raceway, NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers will take on the challenging road course on Saturday . Although the race will feature many up-and-coming NASCAR drivers who have yet to test their skills at Sonoma, fans will also get the chance to see many of their favorite NASCAR Cup Series

drivers in the race.

Two drivers that will be contenders in both races this weekend are Kyle Larson and Daniel Suarez. Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, drank from the chalice in victory lane in 2021 and will try to take his sixth pole position in a row this year.

Last year’s Toyota/ Save Mart 350 winner Daniel Suarez made history when he became the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series Race. Other Cup Series drivers in the Xfinity field will be AJ Allmendinger, Ross Chastain, Ty Gibbs, Ty Dillon and Aric Almirola. The weekend

action culminates in Sunday’sToyota/Save Mart 350. Northern California will be well represented in Sunday’s race, as AJ Allmendinger, Tyler Reddick, and Kyle Larson will all be looking for a win on their home turf.

Bakersfield native Kevin Harvick, who will retire from racing and head to the broadcast booth next year, will race at Sonoma, and in California for the final time when the green flag drops on Sunday afternoon.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. of the Golden State Warriors will service as Grand Marshall of Door Dash 250.

“We are thrilled to have such an outstanding athlete and representa-

of players have returned from significant injuries to great success, so that’s a well-traveled path. But that safety net of money would be nice right now, especially if that morality stigma has seemingly evaporated.

While Phil Mickelson, the face of LIV, is gleeful about the merger –“Awesome day today,” he tweeted with a smileyface emoji – players who stuck with the PGA Tour sounded almost blindsided.

“I love finding out

ALUMNI UPDATE

morning news on Twitter,” tweeted Collin Morikawa, who could have commanded a fortune had he jumped to LIV.

Michael Kim, who likewise made the jump from Cal to the PGA Tour, was more direct: “Very curious how many people knew this deal was happening. About 5-7 people? Player run organization right?” followed by a shrugging emoji.

This isn’t just a peace treaty, it’s a merger among

Season ends after NCAA Regionals for area athletes

M att Miller MMILLER@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

FAIRFIELD — The college baseball season came to a tough end for four area athletes who had successful seasons but lost out with their teams at the NCAA Division I Regionals.

tive of the Bay Area serve as this year’s Grand Marshal,” said Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Jill Gregory. “Collaborating with other area sports organizations is an exciting way to introduce new audiences to the exhilaration of NASCAR.”

Prior to joining the NBA, Baldwin Jr. was a standout five-star high school recruit, McDonald’s All-American and gold medalist at the 2021 U19 World Cup.

Sonoma Raceway’s annual NASCAR weekend begins with the General Tire 200 ARCA Menards Series West race on Friday.

Right-handed relief pitcher Aaron Rund (Will C. Wood) pitched 4 2/3 innings for Campbell at the Columbia Regional. Rund allowed four hits in three appearances, two earned runs, no walks and struck out six. The Camels beat Central Connecticut State (10-5) and North Carolina State (11-1), but lost to NC State (5-1) and South Carolina (16-7).

First baseman Hunter Dorraugh (Vacaville) went 0-for-8 in two games for San Jose State at the Stanford Regional. The Spartans lost to Stanford (13-2) and Cal State Fullerton (9-5).

Pinch-hitter Michael Brown (Vacaville) and pitcher Kyle Bender

LOCAL REPORT

(Vacaville) traveled to the Stillwater, Oklahoma regional with Washington. The Huskies beat Dallas Baptist (9-5) before losing to Oral Roberts (15-12) and Dallas Baptist (9-1). Brown was 0-for-1 in a pinch-hitter performance. Bender did not take the mound.

Oregon pulled off the upset at the Nashville regional by beating Xavier (5-4), Vanderbilt (8-7) and Xavier ( 11-2). The Ducks will host a Super Regional beginning Friday against Oral Roberts. Utilityman Jack Brooks (Vanden) is on the roster but has not played the entire season, likely redshirting his freshman year.

Professional Baseball

Pitcher Tony Gonsolin (Vacaville) picked up his third win of the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, May 30.

Fairfield Expos’ winning streak up to 10 games

Daily r epublic Staff DRNEWS@DAILYREPUBLIC.NET

Dodge struckout two batters to end the game.

Jerry McDonalD

BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

SANTA CLARA —

Not satisfied with what the 49ers got from Deebo Samuel last season?

You’re not alone.

“It was awful,” Samuel said Tuesday. ‘I was awful ... in every way.”

Samuel offered that harsh self-assessment on the first day of the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp, which continues Wednesday and ends Thursday with a family gathering and marks the end of the offseason until training camp begins in July.

Samuel, 27, was working off to the side and did not participate in team drills, 11-on-11 or

7-on-7 sessions. Plenty of top tier 49ers were essentially spectators, including defensive end Nick Bosa, left tackle Trent Williams and line-

backers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.

Attendance at the voluntary sessions as been sporadic for Samuel, although he’s getting in

much more work than he did a year ago when he was essentially absent and a “hold-in” while a three-year contract extension worth a maximum of $73.5 million was being negotiated.

Samuel stayed silent through much of that process, erasing 49ers’ logos from his social media for a time while reports surfaced of his discontent – with none of the stories actually quoting the player.

The statistical dropoff in 2022 from the 2021 season paved the way to his contract extension was considerable.

In one of the more explosive seasons in

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Expos rallied late Monday night for their 10th win in a row and a 6-4 victory over the Petaluma Express at Laurel Creek.

The Expos were down 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning with two out and nobody on.

Bryce Alcantara singled, Cy Dempsay singled and Blake Bozzini followed with a three-run home run to put the Expos ahead 5-3.

Trevor Morse pitched the first five innings for the win. Landon Dodge worked the sixth inning. There were two runners on with nobody out and the score 5-4 when Dodge got out of the mess with two strikeouts.

Then in the seventh inning, Petaluma loaded the bases with one out.

Bryce Alcantara had three hits, including an RBI double and a basesloaded walk.

The Expos improved to 21-3 overall and were scheduled to play Tuesday night against the Yuba-Sutter Strippers.

On Sunday, the Expos rallied with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to sweep a doubleheader against Vallejo Post 550.

Teagan Gonzales threw a one-hit complete game shutout in a 10-0 win. It was the Expos’ seventh shutout already this season which, according to the Expos, is more than any other entire season in the 40-year history of the team.

Carter Preston

49ers’ Deebo Samuel gives very harsh self-assessment of 2022: ‘I was awful’

Pat Brandon/Special to the Daily Republic

Daniel Suarez (99) celebrates his victory at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Sonoma Raceway in 2022.

Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group/TNs file San Francisco 49ers’ Deebo Samuel (19) runs for yardage against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of their NFC wild-card playoff game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Jan. 14, 2023.

CALENDAR

Wednesday’s TV sports

Baseball

MLB

• Oakland vs. Pittsburgh, NBCSCA, 9:35 a.m.

• San Francisco vs. Colorado, NBCSBA, 5:40 p.m.

Basketball

NBA Finals

• Game 3, Miami vs. Denver, 7, 10, 5:30 p.m.

Softball

College

• Women’s World Series final, Game 1, Oklahoma vs. Florida State, ESPN, 5 p.m.

Track and Field

College

• NCAA Outdoor Championships, ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday’s TV sports

Baseball

MLB • San Francisco vs. Colorado, NBCSBA, 12:10 p.m.

Golf • DP World, Volvo Scandinavian Mixed, GOLF, 4 a.m.

• PGA Korn Ferry, BMW Charity Pro-Am, GOLF, 9 a.m.

• PGA, RBC Canadian Open, GOLF, Noon.

Hockey

Stanley Cup Finals

• Game 3, Florida vs. Vegas, TBS, 5 p.m.

Softball College

• Women’s World Series final, Game 2, Oklahoma vs. Florida State, ESPN, 4:30 p.m.

Track and Field College

• NCAA Outdoor Championships, ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.

Tennis

• French Open, Women’s Semifinals, 3, 8 a.m.

MMA

Professional Fighters League

Playoff Jimmy Butler is paying dividends as Heat find success

Ira WInderman SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

MIAMI — Over his first eight appearances this postseason, Jimmy Butler scored at least 25 points in each game. The legacy of Playoff Jimmy continued to grow amid the Miami Heat’s playoff success.

Over Butler’s last 11 games, there have been four games with fewer than 20, including 34 total points in the first two games of these NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, a total he previously had surpassed in four games this postseason.

So what’s wrong with Playoff Jimmy or even Regular Jimmy?

Absolutely nothing, Butler said during his Tuesday media session, content to have grabbed homecourt advantage in this best-of-series that is tied 1-1 going into Wednesday’s 5:30 p.m., PDT, game at Kaseya Center.

“I think I’ve done great,” he said. “I think I’ve done what I’ve needed to do to get us to 1-1. I hope it was 2-0 in our favor; it is not. I don’t pay attention to stats. Not going to lie, I’ve said that all along. As long as we win, everybody is playing great.

Butler said he scored at the start of the playoffs because the opportunity was there. Then defenses tightened, so he exacted his toll with his playmaking, with 16 assists in the series’ first two games.

“I’m not a scorer,” he said. “Just because I score a lot of points one game, that doesn’t make you a scorer. I’m not a volume shooter. I don’t do any of that. I don’t press to score. I only press to win.

without the ball.

“We know he’s a great play-maker and great scorer,” guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said. “Just got to be solid and give him different looks and be aggressive. Just get the ball out of his hands, whatever it takes.

in Game 4 of the opening round against the Milwaukee Bucks], everybody on the outside views that he has to do that every game to impact winning. He understands the levers that contribute to winning.

“He is doing it on both sides of the floor. He has an incredibly tough cover defensively; that matters. Then offensively I still just think we have a great place where everybody feels settled. If your role players can step in and start playing great, it’s usually because they feel a confidence level from the best players.”

As he is wont to due, Spoelstra preferred to analyze Butler through a defensive spectrum.

“Jimmy will shape shift,” Spoelstra said. “He is going to be on a lot of different guys in this series.”

After Murray scored 26 in Denver’s seriesopening win. Butler helped limit him to 18 in the Heat’s Game 2 victory.

Djokovic fights into the French Open semifinals

TrIbune ConTenT agenCy

PARIS — Novak

Djokovic lost his first set of the French Open but battled back to defeat Karen Khachanov on Tuesday and move through to the semi-finals.

The third seed looked like he could be in trouble when he was pushed to a second-set tie-break after dropping the opener, but he won seven straight points and pulled away to win 4-6 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-4.

Djokovic said: “He was the better player for most of the first two sets. I was struggling to find my rhythm. I came into the match a bit sluggish, but I played a perfect tie-break and then played a couple of levels higher.

“It’s a big fight, it’s something that you expect, quarterfinals of

Local

From Page B1

• Loughnane vs. Pinedo, ESPN, 7 p.m. pitched into the fifth inning in the second game before giving way to Isaiah Pazmino.

Vallejo took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but the Expos got some timely hitting, including the game winning walkoff single by Noah Rodda, and rallied for a 6-5 victory.

Softball

Buckingham earns

5 selections on all-SMAL team

VACAVILLE — The Buckingham Charter softball team placed five players on the all-Sacramento Metro Athletic League team in recent voting by coaches.

Senior third baseman

Giana Jones, junior catcher-first baseman

Jordan Walberg, junior outfielder-catcher

Marianne Cabanlig, sophomore pitcher-shortstop Haley Griffin, and freshman shortstoppitcher-first baseman

a grand slam. You’re not going to have your victories handed over to you. I’m happy to overcome this big challenge.”

Djokovic struggled to deal with the power game of Russian Khachanov in the opening set and made some unexpected errors as he dropped serve in the fifth game.

Khachanov, who made the semifinals at both the US Open and Australian Open, had another chance to break in the ninth game and, although Djokovic managed to hold this time, his opponent comfortably served out the set.

The momentum slowly began to switch in the second set as Djokovic, who was engaging in repeated dialogue with his support camp, began to apply some pressure.

Annalyn Steh received first team honors. Junior second Elena Garcia and junior outfielder Makayla Tonn received honorable mentions. Jones batted .467 and had 19 runs scored. Wallberg had a .472 average and knocked in 15 runs. Cabanlig had a .333 batting average. Griffin hit .462 and led the way in the circle with 42 innings pitched, 90 strikeouts and a 1.83 ERA. Steh hit .486 with 20 runs scored, also pitching 12 innings with 24 strikeouts and a 1.20 ERA.

Internal school awards were given to Walberg (offensive player of the year), Griffin (defensive player of the year), Jones (most inspirational) and Winona Fabi (most improved). The coaching staff of Mel Page, Trevor Ward and Guillermo Mendoza shared the honor of coaching staff of the year in the SMAL.

The team had a successful post-season run, advancing to the semifinals of the Division VII playoffs. The Lady Knights finished 8-0 in the SMAL and 11-5 overall.

“If we lose, and I hope we don’t do that too often, everybody can blame me for whatever reason. I’m not worried about it. But nobody can blame anybody for anything whenever we win. That’s all that we focus on.”

“If I pass the ball every possession, if we win, I don’t care. If I shoot the ball every possession and we win, I don’t care. This Playoff Jimmy narrative is not a thing. I just want to win along with everybody else. I don’t worry about too much other things aside from winning.”

To the Nuggets, the optimal approach is Butler

Butler solely as scorer or even as a potent playmaker are the least of coach Erik Spoelstra’s concerns. Instead, Spoelstra spoke of Butler’s two-way impact, including taking the defensive assignment in Game 2 against Nuggets guard Jamal Murray.

“He is a two-way basketball player,” Spoelstra said, as tired of the Butler scoring narrative as Butler. “He does so many winning things that I think unfortunately when you view maybe a 56-point game [which Butler had

“I’ve seen a lot of defenders throughout my career. Jimmy is a good defender. Got great hands, anticipation,” Murray said Tuesday. “Obviously, he is a little taller than me. I’m not going to tell you how to beat it, but I’ve got my ways?”

Murray then smiled.

“Just got to keep him guessing and keep him working,” he continued. “Just because he is on me doesn’t mean I can’t be a part of the play or not put pressure on the defense.”

Eichel OK after taking huge hit for Vegas in Stanley Cup finals

a dam HIll

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Golden Knights fans held their collective breath when center Jack Eichel took a huge hit in the second period of Monday’s game and immediately went to the locker room.

It turns out he just needed a few minutes to himself.

“There’s no need to lay on the ice, so just get off the ice and go regroup,” he said after a 7-2 win over the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena that gave the Knights a 2-0 series lead. “Just get up and go collect myself.”

Eichel said the wind was knocked out of him, but he quickly realized he would be able to return to the game. But because the incident happened late in the period, he waited for his teammates to join him in the locker room for intermission.

“Everyone comes in here and wants to know how you’re doing, and you just reassure them that you’re fine, and that’s sort of it,” he said. “Everyone’s

taken a couple hits in their career. This is a physical game we play, so it’s all part of it.”

It didn’t take Eichel long to prove he was OK. On his first shift in the third period, he won a puck battle and sprung Jonathan Marchessault open with a pass that turned into an assist when Marchessault finished the play.

Marchessault, coach Bruce Cassidy and several other players cited Eichel’s return as a big lift.

“That’s the resiliency we have in that locker

room,” Marchessault said. “It starts with your top guys and goes right through the lineup.”

As for the hit, several Knights players, including Eichel, said it appeared clean. It looked more brutal because it was so well-timed and Eichel was stumbling when he was hit.

“You’ve got to be aware of it,” Eichel said. “You’ve got to keep your head up. I’ll be fine.

“I’m gonna have to look at the hit again. But when I saw it briefly between periods, talking to guys, it

probably was a clean hit. It’s a big collision. This is hockey. I kind of blame myself a bit. I lose the puck, and then I’m reaching for it and I trip, and he’s right there. You don’t want to put yourself in that position and, unfortunately, he finishes a good hit.”

Defenseman Alec Martinez said the optics of such a big collision were worse than the actual hit, which is what led to the ensuing scuffle.

“From the looks of it, it was relatively clean,” he said. “But you’ve got to stick up for your teammate, and then all of the other stuff ensues.”

Tkachuk, who was called for two misconduct penalties in the game and has three in the series, was unapologetic.

“I just came off the bench and saw him in the middle of the ice with his head down,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you shouldn’t be going through the middle with your head down. You’re going to get hit. I would get hit, too, if I had my head down in the middle.”

Forte early favorite for Belmont Stakes

JoHn CHerWa LOS ANGELES TIMES

If you go by the morning-line odds, the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday should be very competitive.

The odds were revealed during the Tuesday post-position draw. It certainly showed that post position in a field of nine going 1½ miles really doesn’t mean a lot.

Forte, who scratched on race day for the Kentucky Derby, was made the 5-2 favorite breaking from the six. Tapit Trice was the second favorite at 3-1 odds and will go from the second post while Angel of Empire was installed at 7-2 odds and will break from the eighth position. It couldn’t be much closer.

“You have to expect [Forte] to be a fit horse,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “It’s 10 weeks between

races but he had a great foundation leading into that and he hasn’t missed much training.”

Pletcher also has the second choice in Tapit Trice, who finished a disappointing seventh in the Kentucky Derby, his only loss of the year.

“If we can get him into a good position and into a good rhythm, I think he’s going to like the mile and a half,” Pletcher said. “He’s been training that way.”

Trainer Brad Cox has three horses in the race, including Angel of Empire, who finished third in the Derby, 1½ lengths behind winner Mage.

“[Jockey] Flavien [Prat] came back after the Derby and immediately said to put blinkers on the horse,” Cox said of the equipment that helps keep a horse from being distracted. “I don’t know that it would have made a big difference in

winning the Derby but I do know he trains well in them.”

Cox also has Hit Show (post 7, 10-1) and Tapit Shoes (post 1, 20-1) in the race.

The only Southern California horse in the Belmont is the Bob Baffert-trained National Treasure, who won the Preakness three weeks ago. He drew post four and is listed at 5-1 on the morning line.

“We wanted an inside-type post, so post four should be perfect for him,” assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said. “At a mile and a half, it’s not that big of a concern.

“Most of the Belmonts we’ve won, our horse has been up close, so I’d say that’s where he’ll probably be.”

Baffert won’t be arriving until later in the week. He hasn’t been at Belmont Park since 2018, when Justify completed the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes.

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/TNS

Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets tries to drive on Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat in the second quarter during Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver, Sunday.

Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-JournalTNS Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) skates off the ice from a scrum while grimacing during the second period in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, Monday.

Columns&Games

Scammers target the elderly

The following column was originally published in 2019.

Dear Annie: My 81-year-old mom and I live together. I work 52 hours a week, so she is home alone a lot. She does get picked up by friends a few times a week to play bingo.

But something serious has happened. A guy started an online chat with her on a “Words with Friends” game. She chatted back, and by the fourth chat he had asked for her for personal information such as her email address and phone number.

Now they text every day, and she thinks she’s in love with him. He’s supposed to be a military peacekeeper in Baghdad, who has a suitcase he found with $5 million in it. He asked her to pay a fee of $1,250 to have the suitcase sent to our home until he’s out of the military. She will not believe me when I tell her it’s a scammer.

She sent him the money last week. She only gets $1,200 a month from her Social Security.

She won’t Google the name of the person to whom she sent the money. Now he apparently needs $10,000 for attorney fees. I found the receipt in her room, and, guess what? It’s from Nigeria, not Iraq. I figured my mom knew better than this. She hasn’t even met the guy she’s been texting these past six weeks.

I don’t know what to do! Any suggestions would be greatly

ARIES (March 21-April 19).

You have specific skills and strengths in certain areas and, like everyone, you struggle in others. People with complementary talents are coming into your realm. Your open mind will see creative ways to work together.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20).

Having trouble going with the flow? Consider that it might be easier than you’re making it. What if all you have to do is choose not to resist? There’s something to let go of, then you’ll be one with the current.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21).

As a lifelong learner, you often enjoy most the lessons you didn’t seek. You’ll be surprised by the education you get today, and you’ll be a quick study as usual, making the most of instruction and improving as you go.

CANCER (June 22-July 22).

The good ideas and bad ideas will come in the same idea. They are like reversible sweaters. If one way clashes, you just have to turn them inside out and wear what’s on the other side.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).

Your willpower will be stronger than usual. Don’t waste it by allowing yourself to be bombarded by distractions. Go where you’re likely to expe-

Daily Cryptoquotes

appreciated. – Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned Daughter: It sounds like your mom is lonely, and going to bingo a few times a week is not enough human interaction for her. Look for local community resources for your mother. Reach out to some of her friends to see if there are other activities they might enjoy together.

You sound like a very hardworking daughter. Consider reconnecting with your mom, and taking a little time for yourself, by taking your mom to the theater or a comedy show – something that you both might enjoy.

However, you have a right to be concerned about her finances. Scams that prey upon the elderly are all too common. They target people who are looking for connection and purpose, which is what it sounds like your mother is craving. If she refuses to listen to you, reach out to the authorities, such as the Adult Protective Services. They provide help and advice for people who are being tricked out of their savings.

Dear Annie: Recently, you published a letter from “Bent But Not Broken in Missouri,” who was unable to forgive her family for not supporting her and her ailing husband. Your advice to concentrate on her blessings and to find a support group was excellent, and I hope she listens to you.

Today’s birthday

You’re like a country and you have your own language and laws, culture and aesthetic. You will love who takes the time to learn and assimilate into the country of you. Your empathy and compassion become even stronger, leading you to new opportunities for connection and growth.

rience peace and quiet and you’ll accomplish something remarkable.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).

You are wide awake and so you will understand the rules of the game, whether stated or implied, official or unofficial. You’ll also be keenly aware of the option not to follow them.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When working on self-love is difficult, try loving someone else. When loving someone else is difficult, give love to yourself. However you come at relationships, you’ll improve things with tenderness given in any direction at all.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).

Sometimes, negotiation is a healthy way to get to the deal that works for everyone, but today this will not be the

In my 75 years of living experience, I have had ample opportunities for hindsight. And I’ve come to understand that people do themselves a tremendous disservice by assuming they know the whole situation when they can’t possibly know what is happening in another person’s life. We are never the only one experiencing difficulties and most people prefer privacy regarding trouble in their lives. I think “Bent” should consider her brother had issues preventing them from traveling of which she was unaware. She should remember the world does not revolve around just her and be happy her brother and his wife have, for whatever reason, now reached out to her.

I have cared for more that one ailing family member and can tell you that many people will say something wrong when trying to be helpful in difficult situations. It’s always best to smile and simply say, “Thank you.” Awkward situations create awkwardness, and generally people mean well. So I think she should also give her aunt the benefit of the doubt. Love is kind, forgiving and accepting, and we generally receive in kind what we give to others. My advice to her would be to try not to judge and she will be happier. – Happier in My Old Age Dear Happier: Thank you for your wise perspective. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@ creators.com.

case. The best deals will be a natural fit, rendering negotiation unnecessary. As for the others, just walk.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21). You have learned that happiness can be a skittish emotion; you chase it and it runs. Today, you’ll work at something meaningful to you, and happiness will suddenly set up shop within your heart -- an unexpected perk.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19). You know the many shades of silence. Some are bricks. Some are feathers. Silences smile or condemn; they lift, they bury. You can fall in love with a certain kind of silence -- and you will.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 18). Aesthetics will matter to the outcomes of the day, especially things like lighting and architecture. You will feel the significance of an arch, a tall ceiling or an enclosed space. You’re searching for a feeling of sacredness.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Whatever you believe to be true, you’ll really see how the opposite could also be true. This proves your sophistication of mind. You’re not being wishywashy; you’re being fluid.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

Word Sleuth

Crossword by Phillip Alder

Bridge

transfer bid by partner. However, that still doesn’t change the necessity to count winners and losers.

In today’s deal, how should South plan the play in six clubs after West leads a safe trump?

North made a transfer bid to clubs, South said that he liked clubs (two no-trump would have indicated a dislike), and North drove his partner into slam.

South saw 10 top tricks: two spades, one heart, one diamond and six clubs. A spade ruff in the shorter trump hand (unusually, declarer’s) was an 11th winner. The first declarer decided the 12th had to be either the diamond queen or the heart queen. He tried both finesses and then grumbled about his bad luck.

The better declarer realized the diamond queen or a long diamond would do.

After taking the first trick on the board, declarer played a diamond to his queen. It lost to West’s king, and another trump came back.

LOOKING AT THE WORLD FROM UPSIDE DOWN

Paul Newman probably would have preferred to be a Formula 1 champion than an Oscar-winning actor. His first law was: “It is useless to put on your brakes when you’re upside down.”

Sometimes a bridge player is looking at a deal upside down, when he declares after a

South cashed his diamond ace, ruffed a diamond, took the top spades, ruffed the spade five with his last trump, ruffed another diamond, removed West’s final club, crossed to the heart ace and discarded dummy’s heart loser on the high diamond eight.

Finally, note that if a defender discards on the diamond ace, declarer can try the heart finesse.

COPYRIGHT: 2023, UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE

Sudoku by Wayne Gould

6/7/23

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits

1 through 9, with no repeats. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

by

Difficulty level: GOLD

Yesterday’s solution:

Horoscopes by Holiday Mathis

Annie Lane Dear Annie

Crossword

What to stream: Celebrate Pride Month with shows and films featuring diverse stories

K atie Walsh TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

June is Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride and commemoration of the history of the fight for gay rights. Pride Month was started after the 1969 Stonewall riots sparked a series of gay liberation protests, and unfortunately, more than 50 years later, Pride Month has taken on a new resonance as the civil rights of queer and transgender people are being rolled back at an alarming rate in the United States.

It’s an apt time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community as members and allies, but it’s also an opportunity to learn more about queer history, the origins of Pride and the importance of fighting to protect queer and trans lives. Many of the streaming services have collections dedicated to Pride and LGBTQIA+ stories and creators – so here are a few suggestions to help prioritize your streaming, with a focus on history and the fight for gay rights.

Max has a robust library of both narrative and documentary material focusing on queer history and issues. The awardwinning docuseries “We’re Here,” follows queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as they travel to small towns around the U.S. spreading the gospel and transformative blessing of drag. “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the 15-season-long reality series, is of course available to stream on Hulu, Paramount+ and Wow Presents Plus (the international versions). Do yourself the favor if you’ve never sampled the delight that is “Drag Race.”

But drag is an art form with a long history, and the groundbreaking 1990 documentary “Paris is Burning” is required watching for all drag fans. Jennie Livingston’s cult documentary featuring interviews with queens from the New York City ball scene lays out all the lingo and ref-

Daily Cryptoquotes

erences that queens still use.

It’s also streaming on Max. To go back even further, watch Frank Simon’s 1968 documentary “The Queen,” following the Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant, newly restored and streaming on Kanopy.

There are many fascinating connections between “The Queen,” “Paris is Burning” and “Drag Race” that will enhance the viewing experience.

Also on Max, the Oscar-winning 2008 biopic “Milk,” about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, and tragically assassinated at San Francisco City Hall in 1978. For a nonfiction take on Milk’s life and death, stream the 1984 documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk,” directed by Rob Epstein and also streaming on Max.

Oscar-nominated documentarian David France has directed three searing documentaries about the history of gay rights, including a film about Marsha P. Johnson, long considered the first person to throw a brick at Stonewall, and thus igniting the gay liberation movement. “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” (2017) details Johnson’s life as a transgender woman in New York City in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and also follows Marsha’s community as they attempt to sort through her mysterious death.

France was nominated for an Oscar for his incredi-

ble 2012 film “How to Survive a Plague,” about the AIDS crisis and the activism of ACT UP, utilizing an incredible amount of archival footage to craft a story of community health activism when AIDS was actively being ignored by the U.S. government. Stream it on Tubi and Kanopy. France also directed a film about the persecution of queer people in Chechnya, with his harrowing 2020 film “Welcome to Chechnya,” also streaming on Max. While many of these titles are extremely heavy and focus on the struggle for queer liberation, a fight that is still ongoing, the LGBTQIA+ experience is also a joyful one, whether that’s celebrated in the form of drag, or in series like “Looking” (Max), “Queer as Folk,” (the original on Showtime/Paramount+, the remake on Peacock), “The L Word” (Hulu/Showtime) and “Pose” (Hulu).

To shout out a few underrated and underseen indie gems about queer life, watch Goran Stolevski’s “Of an Age,” a stunning Aussie comingof-age drama, streaming on Peacock, and “Other People,” written and directed by Chris Kelly (“The Other Two”) about a young gay man losing his mother to cancer, streaming on Netflix.

There is a world of rich and diverse queer stories out there, so dive in and celebrate Pride.

Word Sleuth

Bridge

by Phillip Alder

deal, you need to keep careful tabs on just one -- which?

YOU COUNT BETTER IF YOU WATCH CLOSELY

Elizabeth Barrett Browning nearly wrote, “How do I love bridge, let me count the suits.” Luckily for most of us, there are few deals on which you have to count all four suits. One or two will suffice. In today’s

How should South plan the play in six no-trump after West leads the spade 10? You all know to count your top tricks before playing from the dummy at trick one. Here, declarer has 10: three spades, three hearts, two diamonds and two clubs. A 3-2 diamond split would provide two more tricks, but only at the lethal cost of two losers. Instead, South should try for four club winners. So, he plays off his two club winners. West’s spade discard is a blow, but it should impress upon declarer the necessity to keep a lookout for East’s three remaining clubs. Next, South plays off the diamond ace and king. Lo and behold, more information. East has four diamonds to go with his five clubs, but how does that help? East is prey for an elimination and endplay. Declarer, playing almost on autopilot, just cashes all of his remaining major-suit winners, pitching a diamond from the board and bringing everyone down to three cards. The dummy has the king-10 of clubs and the diamond eight. South retains three low diamonds. However, what does East keep? If only one club, dummy cashes the club king and 10. If two clubs and one diamond, East is given the lead with his diamond winner and forced to lead into dummy’s club tenace.

Nicely watched and counted!

COPYRIGHT: 2023, UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE

Sudoku by Wayne Gould

Bridge

© 2023 Janric Enterprises Dist. by creators.com 6/8/23

Difficulty level: BRONZE

Yesterday’s solution:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits

1 through 9, with no repeats. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

Elias Anton, left, and Thom Green in director Goran Stolevski’s “Of an Age.”

Eric Liebowitz/FX/TNS

MJ Rodriguez, left, and Billy Porter in “Pose.”

New economic study finds state’s competitive edge is declining

Has California lost its mojo?

This question, framed in various ways in media and political venues, has hung over the state in recent years as its population declined after more than 150 years of growth, as some major corporations (and their workers) decamped for other states, and as poverty, homelessness, urban street crime and other social maladies festered.

While California’s critics and defenders, both internal and external, cite isolated anecdotes and data points to bolster their arguments, there have been very few comprehensive and objective examinations of California’s strengths and weaknesses vis-à-vis its rivals. Until now.

On Monday, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce released a deeply sourced and fair-minded study of California’s past, current and perhaps future economic standing, indirectly warning the state’s politicians that they should not take the state’s prosperity for granted because its rivals are gaining ground.

“We argue that California has been, and continues to be, the perennial winner in the overall competition that is the economic equivalent of an Olympic decathlon among the nation’s states,” the study declares. “However, other states have narrowed the gap or even captured top honors in an increasing number of event contests.”

In a statement, Maria Salinas, the Los Angeles chamber’s president, said: “We wanted to look at why California-based businesses continue to leave and whether the state was doing enough to stem the flow of business outbound migration.”

A major aspect of the study is viewing California not so much as a single entity but as a collection of regions, each with strengths and weaknesses, with a particularly focus, understandably, on Southern California.

It notes that while the Southland contains most of the state’s population and jobs, it generates only about 40% of California’s economic output – a disparity compared to Northern California, which has emerged over the last few decades. While Northern California, especially the Bay Area, focused on developing a hightechnology economy, Southern California’s leaders opted for logistics – becoming a center for the global movement of goods – and its longstanding entertainment industry.

The study suggests that due to the state’s regional differences, “a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development in the 21st century must give way to a regional approach, one that not only looks at the differences across the state’s regions but also incorporates a meaningful understanding of the regions around the country to which the state’s regions have economic ties.”

“Other states are catching up to California in part because their regions more closely resemble California’s in terms of industry composition, workforce opportunities and amenities,” the study concludes. “In fact, given the acceleration in firm and population migration over the past decade, it appears that the gap between California and its closest competitor states has narrowed significantly since the Great Recession. The question is, what steps must it take to maintain its advantage over other states in the coming years?”

The chamber’s release of its economic study is quite timely, coming as Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature consider dozens of bills that could affect California’s competitive position. They include those addressing the high cost of housing that is a major factor in personal and corporate departures, homelessness, taxes, employment costs and regulation, including the California Environmental Quality Act.

Unfortunately, one senses that those in the Capitol lack awareness that California is competing with other states for job-creating investment. Their prevailing attitude is that California will always be an economic powerhouse no matter what expenses and regulations are imposed on employers at the behest of powerful interest groups.

The facts presented by the Los Angeles chamber’s study underscore the fallacy of that assumption.

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to Commentary.

THE OTHER SIDE

The MAGA GOP sheep are fast asleep

“I don’t like the term ‘woke’ because I hear, “Woke, woke, woke.’ It’s just a term they use, half the people can’t even define it, they don’t know what it is.”

— Donald Trump

What happened, MAGA Republicans? You had the left on the run. You’ve made valid criticisms of the progressive left in recent years. Angry progressive students on college campuses, claiming to support free speech, have chased off right wing speakers. Too often it seems young progressives were afraid to hear dissenting views.

Safe spaces, trigger warnings and other artificial guardrails designed to ensure young people didn’t come into contact with ideas, opinions and speech they didn’t agree with, made the progressive left look like what you called them: snowflakes.

You assailed the left about cancel culture. Too often, dissenting opinions and ideas out of the mainstream are enough to get someone professionally silenced. A slip of the tongue is enough to get someone fired.

But somewhere along the line, you MAGA Republicans became what you loathed.

In the Citizens United vs. the Federal Election Commission Supreme Court case in 2010, the court ruled that corporations could

CALMATTERS COMMENTARY

spend unlimited amounts of money in elections as part of free speech. But what happened when Disney criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Don’t say gay” law? DeSantis retaliated against the company. I thought corporations had free speech? And isn’t the government retaliating against speech precisely what the First Amendment prohibits? Small government conservatism has vanished under you MAGA Republicans.

Beginning in Florida but expanding to other GOP-controlled states, book banning is all the rage. I guess right wingers need to be protected from “offensive” books. Florida passed a law that if a student feels uncomfortable learning about history they can complain. And those complaints can result in books, films, and other materials being banned. Now you have your own safe spaces for easily-offended anti-wokesters.

Gov. DeSantis describes ‘woke’ as a war on truth. That’s funny. It’s Orwellian because what DeSantis and MAGA Republicans have been waging is a war on truth. They’ve been trying their best to whitewash American history by hiding nonwhite history. They want to pretend the LGBTQ community never existed and spread lies about them.

Cancel culture? Bud Light still hasn’t recovered after MAGA Republicans went ballistic and boycotted

after the company ran an online ad featuring a transwoman. Transphobia and anti-LGBTQ sentiment has found a welcome home in the tiny heart of the MAGA movement. Next, they turned their sights on Target for celebrating Pride month. Here’s how crazy it’s gotten: They’re even mad at Chick-Fil-A because they recently hired a diversity officer. Chick-Fil-Friggin-A!

But the majority of the American public aren’t fooled by what you MAGA Republicans are up to. A recent USA Today/Ipsos Poll found that by a 56%-39% margin Americans say that ‘woke’ means “to be informed, educated on and aware of social injustices.” The majority of the American people aren’t bigots, homophobes, sexists and xenophobes. Americans are a compassionate people. It was Friedrich Nietzsche who said whoever fights monsters should see to it that they don’t become a monster in the process. I’m not saying the left is a monster. But I am saying that you MAGA Republicans have become exactly what you feared.

If the majority of Americans are woke that means you MAGA Republicans are asleep. Here’s hoping you wake up soon. Peace.

Kelvin Wade, a writer and former Fairfield resident, lives in Sacramento. Reach him at kelvinjwade@ outlook.com.

Colorado River deal forever changes West

By Grayson Zulauf SPECIAL TO CALMATTERS

For the first time in this droughtstricken century, a new price for water in the West has been set – and it’s 25 times higher than what farmers have paid for the last 75 years.

Arizona, Nevada and California recently agreed to reduce their water consumption from the Colorado River by 13% through 2026. The federal government will pay their irrigation districts, Native American tribes and cities $521 for each acrefoot of water they don’t use.

This agreement is the start of the end of agriculture as we know it in the West, but not just agriculture. For every drop of water used, industries – from farms and ranches to data centers and power plants to ski resorts and golf courses – must determine whether it pays more to use the water, or to avoid using it.

And the price of using it will only increase.

Some businesses will become more water-efficient. Some will move. Some will close.

What was the price of water, anyways? It depends on both the source and the use. If water comes from a river or lake, it’s zero. If water comes from an aquifer in the ground, it’s the cost of pumping the water up. And despite the enormous infrastructure required, water delivered from reservoirs behind large dams (as promised by the federal Bureau of Reclamation) has historically cost farmers no more than $20 per acrefoot, which is enough to cover a full acre one foot deep. This water costs much more to deliver, with the difference sub-

sidized by federal taxpayers. For example, in the Imperial Water District, the destination for 80% of all Colorado River water delivered to California, water for irrigation costs farmers that $20 per acre-foot even though the water is stored (in Lake Mead, behind Hoover Dam) and transported (through the All-American Canal) by mega-projects paid for by federal taxpayers.

In the Westlands Water District of central California, taxpayers subsidize farms at $2,200 per acre.

For California farmers who receive water from the Central Valley Project, taxpayers contribute $416 million annually.

With the price signal of water now reset to $521 per acre-foot, the math for water users will change, starting with agriculture. Food generates more than $50 billion annually across the lower Colorado River basin states, and the industry rests on the foundation of $20 water promised by the Bureau of Reclamation.

With this new agreement, every use of water must exceed the value of not using it.

Take the most-grown crop in the Colorado River basin: alfalfa. This grass is exported worldwide and fed to livestock, mostly cows. Alfalfa sells for $230 per ton in California. With 3 acre-feet of water, an acre of alfalfa will yields around 6 tons of product.

So, at $20 per acre-foot of water, a farmer would spend $60 in water for $1,380 of alfalfa, leaving plenty of money for labor and equipment and profit. At $521 per acre-foot of water, the farmer pays $3,126 for water alone for that same $1,380 in alfalfa, losing over $1,700 per acre.

By contrast, the farmer could make $3,126 from the federal government for growing nothing and

avoiding the water consumption altogether.

The math for most other crops is not much better.

Although the agreement only runs through 2026, water price signals are here to stay. And the price of water – or the value of avoided water use – will only increase. Because of global warming, the flows of the Colorado River will drop by half by 2100, making the current cuts almost seem painless.

Carbon credits set the price for carbon dioxide emissions, with the avoided emission of one ton of carbon dioxide fetching a firm, trusted price. Over the last decade, as this price has started to come into focus, carbonintensive industries have reexamined their businesses, analyzing if their products or services would remain profitable if they paid the market price for emissions.

The price of a water credit is now set, with the avoided consumption of one acre-foot of water worth $521. Over the next decade, similarly, water-intensive industries will reexamine the water liability of their businesses. For every use of water, they will have to consider what will happen if the price of water doubles, triples or more. For every drop of water used, they will have to weigh whether it is worth using it at all.

The water reckoning is here, and the West will never be the same.

Grayson Zulauf is the CEO of Resonant Link. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University and is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for energy. He wrote this for CalMatters, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's Capitol works and why it matters.

CALMATTERS COMMENTARY

Dan Walters

Kelvin Wade

Los A

If you’re going to make a Barbie movie, make it pink – very pink – so pink that it will wipe out an entire company’s global supply of pink paint.

That’s exactly what happened during pro duction of the new Warner Bros. “Barbie” film, according to the company that supplied set designers.

“They used as much paint as we had,” Lauren Proud – vice president of global marketing at Rosco, which is known for its deep ties with Hollywood’s film and television industries – said Friday in an interview with The Times.

She was referring specifically to its supply of fluorescent pink paint, which was used for creating the sets for the film’s Barbieland.

The film’s production designer, Sarah Greenwood, spoke to Architectural Digest earlier this week about the immense amounts of pink that were required for the set. During the interview Greenwood, a six-time Oscar nominee, claimed the film had caused an international shortage.

“The world ran out of pink,” she told the magazine.

However, Proud said it’s not that simple. During “Barbie’s” production in 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic was jamming the global supply chain on a host of products and goods, including Rosco’s paint.

The company was also still recovering from the deep freeze that blanketed Texas in early 2021 and damaged vital materials used to create the paint. In short, Rosco was already operating with less paint than it was used to.

“There was this shortage,” Proud said, “and then we gave them everything we could – I don’t know they can claim credit.”

Proud acknowledged, though, that, “They did clean us out on paint.”

Even so, there was just enough to continue production on the film, which was mostly shot at at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the United Kingdom.

In the Architectural Digest interview, “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig said the pink paint was important in “maintaining the ‘kid-ness’” of the film’s aesthetic.

“I wanted the pinks to be very bright, and everything to be almost too much,” Gerwig said, emphasizing that she didn’t want to “forget what made me love Barbie when I was a little girl.”

Greenwood obliged, as evidenced in images seen in the film’s first full-length trailer, which reveal dollhouse-like mansions adorned with beds, a closet full of clothing accessories, stylish couches, dining tables, and a slide, all colored pink.

The cars that characters drive, the roads and the lamp posts that illuminate the way – all pink. The floors they dance on are, you guessed it, pink.

Although the film’s plot had been somewhat mysterious in the months leading up to its July 21 release, a recent trailer shows Margot Robbie’s Barbie and Ryan Gosling’s Ken on an adventure out of Barbieland and into “the real world.”

The trailer shows Will Ferrell as what appears to be the head of Mattel and the film’s principal villain. “Barbie” commands a star-studded cast that also includes Simu Liu, Dua Lipa, Helen Mirren, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Rhea Perlman, Ana Cruz Kayne, Emma Mackey, Hari Nef, Alexandra Shipp, Kingsley BenAdir, Ncuti Gatwa, Scott Evans, Jamie Demetriou, Connor Swindells, Sharon Rooney, Nicola Coughlan and Ritu

Brian Crane

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

Pearls Before Swine Stephan Pastis

Candorville Darrin Bell

Baby Blues Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott

Baldo Hector Cantú and Carlos Castellanos

TOALLINTERESTEDPERSONS: Petitioner:Aireus,CecilioMaraus,Diaz filedapetitionwiththiscourtforadecree changingnamesasfollows:

PresentName: a. Aireus, Cecilo Maraus, Diaz ProposedName: a. Airias Cecilio Marcus Diaz THECOURTORDERSthatallpersonsinterestedinthismattershallappearbefore thiscourtatthehearingindicatedbelowto showcause,ifany,whythepetitionfor changeofnameshouldnotbegranted. Anypersonobjectingtothename changesdescribedabovemustfileawrittenobjectionthatincludesthereasonsfor theobjectionatleasttwocourtdaysbeforethematterisscheduledtobeheard andmustappearatthehearingtoshow causewhythepetitionshouldnotbegranted.Ifnowrittenobjectionistimelyfiled, thecourtmaygrantthepetitionwithouta hearing.

TOALLINTERESTEDPERSONS: Petitioner:AdwoaD.Cooperfiledapetitionwiththiscourtforadecreechanging namesasfollows: PresentName: a. Israel J. Grier ProposedName: a. Israel J. Cooper THECOURTORDERSthatallpersonsinterestedinthismattershallappearbefore thiscourtatthehearingindicatedbelowto showcause,ifany,whythepetitionfor changeofnameshouldnotbegranted. Anypersonobjectingtothename changesdescribedabovemustfileawrittenobjectionthatincludesthereasonsfor theobjectionatleasttwocourtdaysbeforethematterisscheduledtobeheard andmustappearatthehearingtoshow causewhythepetitionshouldnotbegranted.Ifnowrittenobjectionistimelyfiled, thecourtmaygrantthepetitionwithouta hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Aug. 25, 2023;

9:00 am; Dept: 4; Rm: 305 The address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF Hall Of Justice 600 Union Ave. Fairfield, CA 94533

AcopyofthisOrdertoShowCausemust bepublishedatleastonceeachweekfor foursuccessiveweeksbeforethedateset forhearingonthepetitioninthefollowing newspaperofgeneralcirculation,printed inthiscounty:FairfieldDailyRepublic PleasefileProofofPublication5businessdaysinadvanceof hearingdate. (newspaperdoesnotfilew/court).

THISBUSINESSISCONDUCTEDBY:

TOALLINTERESTEDPERSONS: PresentName: a. Catalina Clarissa Simoni

Date:5/30/2023

/s/A.Jones JudgeoftheSuperiorCourt

FILED:MAY312023

DR#00063852

Published:June7,14,21,28,2023

Date:5/31/2023 /s/StephenGizzi JudgeoftheSuperiorCourt FILED:MAY312023 DR#00063854 Published:June7,14,21,28,2023

Theregistrantcommencedtotransact businessunderthefictitiousbusiness nameornameslistedaboveonN/A. Ideclarethatallinformationinthisstatementistrueandcorrect(Aregistrantwho declaresastrueinformationwhichheor sheknowstobefalseisguiltyofacrime.) /s/AurelianoOchoa INACCORDANCEWITHSUBDIVISION (a)OFSECTION17920AFICTITIOUS NAMESTATEMENTGENERALLYEXPIRESATTHEENDOFFIVEYEARS FROMTHEDATEONWHICHITWAS FILEDINTHEOFFICEOFTHECOUNTY CLERK,EXCEPTASPROVIDEDIN SUBDIVISION(b)OFSECTION17920, WHEREITEXPIRES40DAYSAFTER ANYCHANGEINTHEFACTSSET FORTHINTHESTATEMENTPURSUANTTOSECTION17913OTHERTHAN ACHANGEINTHERESIDENCEADDRESSOFAREGISTEREDOWNER. ANEWFICTITIOUSBUSINESSNAME STATEMENTMUSTBEFILEDBEFORE THEEXPIRATIONJune012028. THEFILINGOFTHISSTATEMENT DOESNOTOFITSELFAUTHORIZE THEUSEINTHISSTATEOFAFICTITIOUSBUSINESSNAMEINVIOLATION OFTHERIGHTSOFANOTHERUNDER FEDERAL,STATEORCOMMONLAW (SEESECTION14411ETSEQ.,BUSINESSANDPROFESSIONSCODE). FiledintheOfficeoftheCountyClerkof SolanoCounty,StateofCaliforniaon: JUN022023 NewASSIGNEDFILENO.2023000903 CHARLESLOMELI,SolanoCountyClerk

ProposedName: a. Kelly Reneé Ramirez THECOURTORDERSthatallpersonsinterestedinthismattershallappearbefore thiscourtatthehearingindicatedbelowto showcause,ifany,whythepetitionfor changeofnameshouldnotbegranted. Anypersonobjectingtothename changesdescribedabovemustfileawrittenobjectionthatincludesthereasonsfor theobjectionatleasttwocourtdaysbeforethematterisscheduledtobeheard andmustappearatthehearingtoshow causewhythepetitionshouldnotbegranted.Ifnowrittenobjectionistimelyfiled, thecourtmaygrantthepetitionwithouta hearing.

AcopyofthisOrdertoShowCausemust bepublishedatleastonceeachweekfor foursuccessiveweeksbeforethedateset forhearingonthepetitioninthefollowing newspaperofgeneralcirculation,printed inthiscounty:DailyRepublic PleasefileProofofPublication5businessdaysinadvanceofhearingdate. (newspaperdoesnotfilew/court).

Date:5/31/2023 /s/StephenGizzi JudgeoftheSuperiorCourt FILED:MAY312023 DR#00063850 Published:June7,14,21,28,2023

49ers

From Page B1

club history on a franchise which counts Jerry Rice among its alumni, Samuel caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards, averaged 18.2 yards per reception and scored six touchdowns.

In a bit of inspiration from coach Kyle Shanahan, Samuel also rushed for 365 yards on 59 carries, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt, and scored eight more touchdowns.

With Samuel out of the picture until getting his contract settled last season, he never reached his 2021 form. In 13 games (he missed three with an MCL sprain), Samuel had 56 receptions for 632 yards receiving, averaging 11.3 yards pre catch, and 232 yards.

Samuel’s yards from scrimmage dropped from 1,770 yards to 864 and his touchdowns from 14 to 5.

Shanahan isn’t once to mince words, and Samuel said he and the head coach discussed 2022 in a recent film session.

“Me and Kyle had a long meeting the other day,” Samuel said. “We talked about it, we put it behind us.”

Samuel said the tape showed he was “sluggish” and he plans to “reflect on that, and (I) don’t want to put nothing like that on tape again.”

The contract and whatever transpired before Samuel actually signed had a negative impact.

“A lot of stuff was going on,” Samuel said. “My main focus this year is to get back to the summer what I did in 2021, not even the season, getting back in the groove, getting back into the routine.”

Rather than attack each practice like Christian McCaffrey, Samuel plans on building up a head of steam before late July. And Shanahan didn’t see the sense in pushing Samuel physically during the first week of June.

“He hasn’t been here and we want our players to be ready to go,” Shanahan said. “With him being away we just don’t feel he’s quite in that right spot. We’ve got some time until camp and we’re not going to rush him into something he’s not ready for.”

While Samuel had his moments in 2022, he never felt as he did the previous year as the dominant player in the offense.

“I was kind of behind the eight-ball a little bit as far as being in my routine I would normally be in, getting ready to play,” Samuel said. “I had distractions going on. I kind of felt it but was trying to will my way to help the team in every aspect possible.”

Tight end George Kittle said the “awful” analysis was “Deebo’s take on himself” and not necessarily a feeling that was shared in the locker room.

“I love Deebo. He does a ton for us. I know there are plays he wishes he had back. We all do,” Kittle said. “When Deebo is very

Alumni

From Page B1

Gonsolin worked six innings in a 9-3 win over the Washington Nationals. He allowed just three hits, one earned run, two walks and also struck out two batters. Gonsolin was scheduled to pitch Tuesday night at Cincinnati. He entered the game with a 3-1 record and a 1.77 ERA.

Jesse Scholtens (Rodriguez) made his fifth appearance of the season for the Chicago White Sox on the mound. On Wednesday, May 31, he worked four innings in a 12-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Scholtens allowed two hits, two earned runs and two walks to go with two strikeouts.

Devereaux Harrison (Vacaville) earned his first

motivated, he’s a fantastic football player. I won’t say he wasn’t motivated last year, but I definitely think he has a little more fire in him this year.

“If Deebo’s trying to be better, that’ good or the Niners.”

Bosa, who is due his own mega-deal before training camp, said selfcriticism is vital to staying at the top.

“Whenever you’re at the top of your profession, if you’re not looking to get better, you’re not going to be the best for very long,” Bosa said. “It’s good to look back and appreciate and have gratitude for what you’ve accomplished, but there’s a balance between being complacent and giving yourself credit . . .

I try to give myself credit but I don’t want to take away from that competitive drive because that’s why I’m here.”

Bosa unconcerned about contract

Bosa is in line for a contract which could make him the highest paid nonquarterback in the NFL which in term of average salary is a distinction that belongs to the Rams’ Aaron Donald ($31.366 million).

Asked about his confidence level of getting something done before camp, Bosa said, “Pretty high. I think I’m pretty confident about that.”

Bosa is currently in the books for $17,859 million, the figure of his fifthyear option. The 49ers could actually drop that number in terms of the cap 2023 with a long-term deal.

The 49ers are fine with Bosa, as is his usual practice, being on his own training regimen.

“Same as every year, `How you doing? How’s the workout been going? How’s Florida? How’s the boat? You look tanned. Your legs still look big. What are going to do today?’ He’ll probably be in the weight room.”

Hargrave makes first appearance

Defensive tackle Javon

Hargrave participated in his first practice with the 49ers after signing a four-year contract worth a maximum of $84 million after starring for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“He just got here so we’re just getting to know him,” Shanahan said. “We’re going to be slow with him with him not being around through Phase 1 and 2. We’re not going to throw him in to anything. My impressions are he seems like the same guy we were talking to on the phone. It seems like he’s been working out and hoping he spends this week to get acclimated to what we do and the way we do it.”

Hargrave’s presence will make for a dilemma in terms of double teams with Bosa also in the mix.

win of the season on the mound for the Vancouver Canadians, a High-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Canadians earned a 7-3 win Sunday over the Eugene Emeralds with Harrison going six innings while allowing four hits, one earned run and two walks to go with three strikeouts.

Catcher Carter Bins (Rodriguez) has made only one plate appearance this season for the Double-AA Altoona Curve, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bins is currently on the 60-day disabled list.

Catcher Troy Claunch (Vacaville) is hitting .203 with 11 runs, 16 hits, two home runs and 11 RBIs for the High-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, an affiliate of the White Sox. Claunch is currently on the sevenday disabled list.

Giants’ batting order beefed-up again as team meets Rockies

Evan WEbEck BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

DENVER — On a whiteboard in his office, Giants manager Gabe Kapler maps out his team’s lineups for the coming week. It’s typically pretty routine, but for a few days, he couldn’t take his eyes off the order unveiled Tuesday night for their series opener against the Colorado Rockies.

“The lineup just looks especially deep today,” Kapler said pregame.

It was a day to look forward to as soon as it became clear that Thairo Estrada and Joc Pederson would be ready to be activated from the injured list. Both players were back in there as expected, in slots that signify their importance to San Francisco’s lineup: Estrada second, Pederson third. Michael Conforto’s presence in the five spot was an added bonus, after sitting out their weekend series with a bruised heel.

It was enough to make a stoic skipper smile.

“Estrada’s back, Joc’s back, Michael’s back at full strength,” Kapler said, noting that Conforto was still dealing with some discomfort. “It feels like we’re going to be a pretty full group today. So it does feel a little bit different.”

In a pair of corresponding moves, utility man Brett Wisely and outfielder Bryce Johnson were optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

The returns of three of their most impactful bats couldn’t come soon enough. In Estrada’s case, he missed the minimum amount of time after tweaking his wrist in Minnesota, while Pederson said his three-week absence from being hit by a pitch on a bunt attempt drew on “100%” longer than he expected.

More importantly, the Giants’ lineup returns to full strength just as their pitching staff faces its own issues. With Sean Manaea working out of a bulk role in the bullpen

Golf

From Page B1

warring factions. Who could have imagined this two weeks ago during the awkward trophy presentation at the PGA Championship, when Seth Waugh, chief executive of the PGA of America, looked as if he’d rather be anywhere than standing beside LIV’s Brooks Koepka for an obligatory photo op? The two didn’t shake hands, and Waugh said something to Koepka as he walked away, leaving the golfer to smile and shake his head as if to say, “What’s up with that guy?” Brandel Chamblee, analyst for the Golf Channel who has been one of LIV’s most out-

and Alex Wood recently joining Ross Stripling on the injured list, Kapler acknowledged after Sunday’s game that they were “piecing it together.”

On Tuesday, John Brebbia started as the opener of a bullpen game. After Logan Webbon Wednesday, their starter for the series finale here is listed as TBA. What better time for the bats to pick up the slack than their first game of the season at hitterfriendly Coors Field?

“We’d like it to work out just like that,” Kapler said. “Also a major factor when you come to Coors Field is converting ground balls into outs, catching balls that go up and hang up there for some time. You know you’re going to give up some hits at Coors, balls are going to get into the gap, they’re going to get through the infield fast, but the ones that we are supposed to catch, those are the ones that win games for you. …

“So we’re going to need to make plays on defense. But yes, leaning on our offense to make some noise is also part of the game plan.”

It’s an even more opportune time to lean on their veteran bats with their hot-hitting rookies cooling off recently. Over their past five games, catcher Patrick Bailey and infielder Casey Schmitt combined to

go 5-for-40 (.125) while drawing only one walk. Schmitt said Tuesday he has noticed opposing pitchers making adjustments, and it’s his turn to tweak some things in the cat-and-mouse game that is hitting at the majorleague level; one area the Giants would like to see improvement is his pitch selection.

The rookies, including Rule 5 pick Blake Sabol, will get their first experience at Coors Field this series. Sabol got a taste for hitting at elevation in Mexico City and took note, “it was fun for the offense, right?”

Kapler was simply excited about the fact that had Schmitt at his disposal on the bench along with lefty mashers Wilmer Flores and Austin Slater, giving him the substitutional flexibility he hasn’t enjoyed nearly all season.

“It’s been some time since we had a guy like Mike Yastrzemski, who’s running an .850-plus OPS against righties, in the seven (spot), having both Austin Slater and Wilmer Flores on the bench ready to come off on pinchhit on a day like today,” Kapler said. “Casey Schmitt who’s been so good against lefties so far, really squaring the ball up al lot since he’s been here, also coming off the bench is just kind of a nice luxury. You can see how on the position player side

our roster is just looking deep today.”

High on Wisely: The Giants expect to see Wisely back in the big leagues and, according to Kapler, eventually on a permanent basis.

“Let me say this,” Kapler said, “I think Brett Wisely is a big leaguer I think he has a chance to be a really good big leaguer for a long time. … The talent is undeniable. It’s really as physically talented a package that we’ve had some to the big leagues in some time.”

Wisely, 23, posted a .195/.230/.317 batting line in his first taste of the majors, a .547 OPS. But the athleticism he showed playing three positions up the middle – second base, shortstop and center field –is what most excites the Giants. Prior to this year, Wisely had played only five games above DoubleA, and what Kapler would like to see him work on at Sacramento is slowing the game down.

“What I talked to him about is just easing a little bit of the tension that he feels in the batter’s box and on defense so that he can let his natural talent shine,” Kapler said. “We believe upper-level experience really matters for the development of a player. Sometimes it takes two or three times of getting that experience before it really clicks. There’s examples all over the league … who do that over and over and finally break through. I think Wisely is the type of guy that will eventually break through.”

Notes:

Matt Beaty cleared waivers and elected free agency. … Joey Bart (left groin) was scheduled to catch Tuesday for Triple-A Sacramento in the fourth game of his rehab assignment. … Ross Stripling (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Thursday. … Alex Wood (back) will start throwing later this week.

This is a victory for LIV Golf. The PGA Tour caved, and the landscape has already changed. Acrimony aside, those changes benefit the players in the form of more autonomy and significantly bigger purses.

On another note, it’s a bummer for Los Angeles Country Club, which next week plays host to the U.S. Open for the first time. The major championship hasn’t taken place in L.A. for 75 years.

spoken critics, tweeted a week ago that LIV wasn’t so much a sports entity as it was Saudi Arabia and its crown prince “trying to hide their atrocities and launder its reputation by buying sports stars. Any yielding to or agreement

with them is a deal with a murderous dictator.”

After news of the merger, Koepka tweeted: “Welfare Check on Chamblee.” This isn’t over. This isn’t unity. The fallout is only beginning.

Now, instead of inquiries about their impressions of the spectacular North Course, players will be peppered with questions about the merger. Everybody’s under the same umbrella now. But the storm is only just rolling in.

Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images/TNS file

Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC in action during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, April 30.

Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group/TNS file San Francisco Giants’ Joc Pederson (23) hits a solo home run against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, May 8.