Gas prices set another record
How ‘The Godfather’ was made
Nationally, Thursday’s average was $4.72 a gallon; in California, it was $6.21 - A2
‘The Offer’ explores the behind-the-scenes drama behind the 1972 film - B1
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F R I DAY, J U N E 3 , 2 0 2 2
Leaving State Street After facing high rent, theft and lack of local traffic, Faitell Attractions is moving elsewhere
ELECTION 2022
Carbajal discusses gun control Congressman talks about fatal shootings, Roe v. Wade, inflation, southern border during News-Press interview Editor’s note: This is part of a series about candidates in advance of Tuesday’s primary.
BY DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Faitell Attractions is closing its store on 619 State St., but owner Lisa Faitell plans to move to a new, yet-to-be-determined location.
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Faitell Attractions, a consignment store and interior design business, is hosting a moving sale and is in the process of relocating from a troubled State Street. A new location is not confirmed yet for the store, currently located at 619 State St., but owner Lisa Faitell said, “We will let everyone know as soon as we know.” Ms. Faitell, who opened her store in August 2020, said she found she needed to leave State Street, where several downtown Santa Barbara businesses have closed during the pandemic. “On State Street in general, there is an issue with boutiques surviving with high rent, homelessness and theft,” Ms. Faitell told the News-Press. “When we had a theft occur, it took a week
for the police to respond.” She said her business serves local customers, including Santa Barbara and Montecito residents. “Our locals are not coming downtown because they are hesitant to come due to the condition of State Street,” she said, but added, “Weekends are more busy with tourists.” “When people were home during (the earlier stages of) COVID, everyone was shopping more because people were dying to get out,” Ms. Faitell said, but noted “We have seen a big drop off (in business) since early 2021.” Ms. Faitell said her business includes consignment, but its larger and expanding side is its interior design and custom window coverings, for which she needs local business to succeed. Ms. Faitell described the kind Please see FAITELL on A2
Faitell Attractions is a consignment store and interior design business. It also sells window coverings.
Deputies investigate vandalism at Cabrillo High School By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
On the heels of a vandalism incident at Santa Barbara High School, a case of school vandalism was reported in Lompoc. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a vandalism hate crime that occurred at Cabrillo High School. Around 6 a.m. Tuesday, deputies were dispatched to the Lompoc school for a report of vandalism. The reported vandalism included racial slurs that were painted on walls, over murals and on
windows, said Raquel Zick, the Sheriff’s Office public information officer. Ms. Zick said concrete was poured in front of classroom doors in an attempt to prevent the doors from opening. School Resource Deputy Dennis Thomas is conducting a follow-up investigation to this incident in coordination with Cabrillo High School administration. Ms. Zick said anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact SRD Thomas by email at ddt3055@ sbsheriff.org.
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If you prefer to remain anonymous, call the Sheriff’s Office’s tip line at 805-681-4171 or go online at sbsheriff.org. On Thursday, there were no further details reported about the vandalism that happened Monday night at Santa Barbara High School and involved, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department, 16 individuals who were detained by police. They were identified as Santa Barbara High School students. Police officers responding to neighbors’ reports of loud noises
found 50 to 60 people fleeing the high school’s main building. Sgt. Ethan Ragsdale, the police department’s public information officer, said students were attempting to perform “a senior prank” that involved gallons of baby oil, Vaseline, raw fish and oysters being placed all over the floors and door handles. Police also discovered broken windows and items spray painted, as well as toilet paper and streamers in the trees outside the school. email: dmason@newspress.com
U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal’s “red flag” legislation is scheduled to go before the House next week, following the fatal shootings Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas, and Wednesday in Tulsa, Okla. The Santa Barbara Democrat’s Extreme Risk Order Protection Act would create a grant program to encourage states to adopt red flag laws and support the 19 states that have already adopted them. Red flag laws allow for the temporary removal of firearms from someone who may pose a danger to others or themselves and can prevent them from purchasing a firearm. Rep. Carbajal talked about gun control, Roe v. Wade, inflation (including gasoline prices) and the security of the southern border during a News-Press interview this week in advance of Tuesday’s primary. Rep. Carbajal is running against Republican candidate Brad Allen of Summerland and two independent candidates from Santa Barbara: Michele Weslander Quaid and Jeff Frankenfield, both of whom would caucus with Republicans if elected. Stories about all three have appeared in the News-Press as part of its series on candidates in the primary. During this week’s News-Press interview, gun control was in the news and on the mind of Rep. Carbajal. The congressman said his red flag bill has bipartisan support. And he noted it provides funding so states can enact and maintain red flag laws, while allowing them flexibility with their legislation. “My bill does not say, ‘You will do it that way,’” Rep. Carbajal said. Red flag laws can make a difference, the congressman noted. He referred to May 23, 2014, when Elliot Rodger shot and killed six people and injured 14 people in Isla Vista, then killed himself. “Here on the Central Coast, we can look further than Isla Vista, where we had a situation where a red flag bill could have impacted the outcome of that tragedy,” he said. Rep. Carbajal added that he has witnessed tragedy in his own life. “When I was a child, my older sister took her life with my
DAVE MASON/NEWS-PRESS
Rep. Salud Carbajal
father’s revolver.” The congressman said he’s optimistic that his red flag bill will pass in both the House and the Senate, where it needs 60 votes. Rep. Carbajal said no single law by itself can prevent gun violence, but noted laws collectively can decrease the number of shootings. He added preventing gun violence also involves improving mental health programs. “Absolutely. It’s not an ‘either/or’ thing. It’s a combination of things that we need to do. We need to beef up funding for mental health programs for our schools, our country, our society in general. We need a multi-faceted approach.” The congressman also called for reinstituting a federal ban against the sale of assault weapons. Salvador Ramos used an AR-15 when he shot and killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. “I served in the U.S. Marine Corps,” Rep. Carbajal said. “I shot and dealt with assault weapons. Certainly those weapons do not belong on our streets. They’re weapons for war, not for hunting. Certainly we need to ban those assault rifles in our society.” The congressman discussed another issue, the expected overturning of Roe v. Wade. A decision is likely to be announced this month by the U.S. Supreme Court. Rep. Carbajal voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act, which codified the abortion rights of Roe v. Wade and was passed in the House. It fell short of the 60 votes it needed in the Senate. The congressman expressed concern about going back to preRoe v. Wade times and unsafe Please see CARBAJAL on A2
Commencement at Santa Barbara schools Graduation ceremonies took place late Thursday afternoon and evening at the three high schools in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Dos Pueblos and San Marcos high schools held their commencement at 5 p.m. Santa Barbara High School followed at 6 p.m. The commencements will be covered in detail in Saturday’s NewsPress. — Dave Mason
INSIDE
L O T T E RY RESULTS
Classified................. A5 Life...................... B1-2 Obituaries............... A6
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 25-26-39-42-43 Meganumber: 23
Thursday’s DAILY 4: 2-8-4-7
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 6-15-41-63-64 Meganumber: 24
Thursday’s FANTASY 5:5-7-17-19-37
Thursday’s DAILY DERBY: 06-05-10 Time: 1:44.97
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 11-41-56-57-63 Meganumber: 2
Sudoku................... B3 Sports . .................... A4 Weather................. A6
Thursday’s DAILY 3: 1-1-2 / Wednesday’s Midday 8-7-9