Santa Barbara News-Press: June 09, 2023

Artificial intelligence

UCSB to lead research institute for A.I.-powered cybersecurity - A3

Return of Circus Vargas

Our 167th Year

Carp’s The Palms eatery sold to sB resident

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Carpinteria’s historic The Palms restaurant, located at 701 Linden Ave., has officially been sold for $5.65 million.

The property was reportedly sold to Mark Armenante, a current resident of Santa Barbara.

Mr. Armenante and his wife, Young Sohn, are currently the owners of the “One White Street” restaurant in New York City in addition to other properties in the Santa Barbara area.

Although not publicly confirmed, it is

thought that the property will be turned into a new restaurant.

The Palms, Carpinteria’s oldest family-run restaurant and bar, was listed for sale in 2021 by Bill and Todd Bennett, third-generation owners of the property, for $9.85 million.

In a conversation with the News-Press, The Village Property Management, the group who organized this purchase, confirmed the purchase of the property.

After months on the market and an escrow that ended up falling through, the price of the property decreased and was eventually bought for about $4 million under the asking price.

Miramar and Good Lion Hospitality

originally was going to purchase the property in August of 2022 to build a 17-room hotel, but after a few months in escrow, the sale did not continue.

The property, which was originally built in 1912, has a restaurant on the first floor as well as an office and five apartments on the second floor. When it was originally built, its intention was to be a hotel for the community, but it then was turned into a restaurant and office space.

There is currently no timeline on when the property will be changed. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Public Library does well in Council budget deliberations

Home and Garden Lifestyle Expo to begin s aturday

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

On Saturday and Sunday, the Home and Garden Lifestyle Expo will take place at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, giving guests an opportunity to shop for any home project they may be thinking of.

The free event will showcase over 100 exhibitors and sponsors who will be offering expert ideas and products in all facets of indoor and outdoor home improvements.

Margo – also known as Chargo Productions, LLC – is the show producer and host of the event.

The expo is for homeowners in all stages of designing, remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes.

Attendees will be able to explore everything from Green building technologies to stateof-the-art Home System concepts.

With a combination of new products and expert advice

from the exhibitors, the Santa Barbara and Central Coast Home Show inspire homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home’s comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value.

Additionally, the Home and Garden event’s promotional material says it will feature sustainable products at an affordable cost.

This year, some of the exhibitors include: kitchens, baths, windows, doors, screens, exterior painting, heating and air, to name a few. The full list of all exhibitors can be found on the event’s website. Other than house and garden items, there will be wine tasting available for attendees as well as multiple raffle opportunities. Additionally, there will be free totes and bags of soil for all who join the event. For more information on the event, visit www. chargoproductions.com. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

By NEIL HARTSTEIN

WRITER

NEWS-PRESS STAFF

Santa Barbara’s Public Library emerged the big winner during the City Council’s budget deliberations Wednesday, with independent contractors at Santa Barbara Airport and drivers who park in city-run lots scoring partial victories as well.

The council voted unanimously to take $600,000 from the city’s Reserves for the Central Library to remain open seven days a week, and another $86,000 for the Eastside Library to stay open six days a week. This followed impassioned pleas by several public speakers to restore funding to the library.

Council members, responding to equally passionate speakers supporting independent flight instructors at the airport, agreed to scale back a proposal to raise the current $200 annual permit fee to $2,000, and charge them only the projected $650 cost of issuing the permit and not the costs associated with training. Other independent contractors affected include aircraft mechanics, maintenance workers

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Carpinteria’s The Palms, the city’s oldest family-run restaurant and bar, has been sold for $5.65 million.

The Santa Barbara Public Library’s Central, above, and Eastside branches.

Sheriff’s office congratulates law enforcement academy graduates

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office congratulated and welcomed 13 academy graduates just before the Allan Hancock College Basic Law Enforcement Academy graduation Tuesday.

The class of 29 recruits completed a comprehensive 22-week course program in California Peace Officer Standards and Training, with 862 hours of course instruction.

Some of the academy instruction included communication skills, report writing, laws of arrest, search and seizure, firearms, ethics, investigation procedures, patrol techniques, arrest and control, physical training, CPR/First Aid and emergency vehicle operations.

Just before the graduation ceremony, Sheriff Bill Brown led a swearing-in ceremony where he welcomed the new deputies: Jose Antonio Blanco, Christian James Cole, Michael Thomas Horton, Christian Alberto Mejia-Paz, Roberto Santana, Elmer Vences, Vicente Cancino, Brett Allen Gregory, Alina Kleemaier, Carlos Antonio Ochoa-Castaneda, Michael Steven Tapia-Chavez, Jay Thomas Wells II and Fredrick Allen Ysebrands.

The ceremony, which marks a beginning milestone in each deputy’s career, was shared with their close family members. The event included a badge-pinning ceremony where recruits have their badges pinned

on their uniforms by their mothers, fathers and significant others. This shared moment marks the culmination of more than six months of hard work by the recruit and unwavering support from the family members who stood by them.

During the graduation ceremony, Santa Barbara County sheriff’s recruits were honored with achievement awards.

Deputy Cole was awarded the Lee Horn Memorial for Most Improved, Deputy Horton was awarded the Leo Ortega Most Inspirational Award, Deputy Tapia-Chavez was awarded the Cops and Kids Award, Deputy Blanco earned the Firearms Proficiency Award, Deputy Wells II was awarded the Report Writing Award, and Deputy Blanco earned the Scenario Award.

If you are interested in a career in law enforcement or know someone who is, visit sbsheriff.org to apply.

email: nharsteinnewspress@gmail.com

Good Samaritan Shelter named Nonprofit of the Year

By KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Assemblymember Gregg Hart, D-Santa Barbara, recognized Good Samaritan Shelter as the California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 37.

This recognition was awarded as part of the Legislature’s celebration of California Nonprofits Day, which is a statewide effort to honor the role nonprofits play in California.

The Good Samaritan Shelter has served some of the most vulnerable members of Santa Barbara County for over 35 years. The organization provides different housing services and support programs for people experiencing homelessness, as well as people suffering from substance abuse disorders.

The organization was founded in Santa Maria and has since spread to many different

communities.

“Good Samaritan Shelter is honored to be selected as the California Nonprofit of the Year. We are so grateful for the collaboration partners and funders that allow us to do this work, and we are so humbled by the recognition,” Executive Director Sylvia Barnard said.

Assemblymember Hart has authored Assembly Bill 590, which ensures nonprofits can secure up to 25% of state grants and contracted funds up front, with a priority on nonprofits serving vulnerable communities or those with modest reserves, akin to the Good Samaritan Shelter.

The legislation is designed to increase nonprofit service provider’s access to state grants and expand the delivery of needed assistance to vulnerable Californians.

email: klogan@newspress.com

Carbajal introduces bipartisan bill to fund agricultural education

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, DSanta Barbara, has recently introduced the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act — a bipartisan bill that would fund community college workforce training, education and research programs in agriculture.

The legislation will be considered for inclusion in this year’s Farm Bill.

Many community colleges, which often serve first-generation and students of color, already offer training for future farm workers. But community college agricultural programs have been

New Donation Service Introduced at Lazy Acres

excluded from federal funding opportunities.

Rep. Carbajal’s office said the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act would correct this, ensuring that colleges can access federal grants to bolster agricultural programs.

The bill would amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to allow community colleges to access grant money for agriculture programs.

The bill would establish a competitive U.S. Department of Agriculture grant program wherein the nation’s nearly 1,100 community colleges could apply for money to fund workforce training, education, research, and

Lazy Acres Natural Market is starting the Envirotokens program, in which for every grocery bag shoppers bring from home, a 10 cent donation will be passed on to one of six local non-profits. A celebration will be held Saturday to mark the beginning of the program.

“Caring for community is central to who we are,” said Geoff Babb, vice president of operation for Lazy Acres Natural Market. “For more than thirty years we’ve been focused on doing the right thing for our neighbors, for our earth, and for each other.”

The celebration will be held on June 10 from 11 am to 2 pm at Lazy Acres Santa Barbara, 302 Meigs Road. There will be free samples, a scavenger hunt, games (with a chance to win a $250 gift card), free reusable bags and more.

The non-profits include Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, Organic Soup Kitchen, Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation, Santa Barbara Humane, United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County and White Buffalo Land Trust.

-Liam Hibbert

outreach programs.

Rep. Carbajal is leading the bill in the House with Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss.

U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado; Deb Fischer, RNebraska; Amy Klobuchar, DMinn.; Todd Young, R-Indiana; Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., are leading the bill in the Senate.

Supporters of the bill include the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement, the Rural Community College Alliance, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship and others.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

Attempted murder suspects arrested

Four attempted murder suspects were arrested Wednesday after an incident that occurred Friday on the 4600 block of Gate Way. Officers arrived after reports of a fight near the community pool. A 20-year-old male sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital. He is expected to survive.

The suspects had fled the scene when officers arrived and are each being held on a $2,000,000 bail. The suspects are 21-

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year-old Brandon Tyree Smith, 20-year-old Jordan Alexander Lopez, 21-year-old Michael Christian Lee and 19-year-old Jude Issam Hallal.

The alleged attack is not believed to be random, and detectives noted that the suspects and victim knew each other.

The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging anyone with information about this case to contact Sheriff’s detectives at (805) 681-4150. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can provide information by calling the tip line at (805) 6814171 or online at SBSheriff.org.

-Liam Hibbert

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COURTESY PHOTO

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown stands with graduates from Allan Hancock College Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

The event included a badgepinning ceremony where recruits have their badges pinned on their uniforms by their mothers, fathers and significant others.

COURTESY PHOTO

Assemblymember Gregg Hart has Good Samaritan Shelter as the California Nonprofit of the Year. To learn more about the nonprofit, go to goodsamaritanshelter.org.

Attorney General Bonta backs new FCC order cracking down on robotexts and calls

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - The Federal Communications Commission is cracking down on robotext messages in an order aimed at targeting and eliminating unlawful text messages and California Attorney General Rob Bonta is backing the move.

“Data shows consumers read nearly all texts, and do so nearly immediately; whereas calls from unknown callers are often ignored by consumers. While some text messages may present similar problems as unwanted calls — they invade consumer privacy and are vehicles for consumer fraud and identity theft, - they also present harms beyond robocalls that can exacerbate the problem of such scams. ” the order stated as grounds for concern.

Last year the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) proposing new rules to mitigate malicious robotext campaigns and requested public comment regarding additional anti-robotext and anti-robocall protections needed for consumers. The idea found favor with Mr. Bonta, who, with a bipartisan coalition of 28 attorneys general, submitted a comment letter in support of the action.

“Robocalls and robotexts are not just annoyances, but can also scam consumers, particularly our elders, out of hundreds or thousands of dollars. While we’ve made some progress in addressing this problem, I support the FCC’s efforts because there is more work that needs to be done,” Mr. Bonta said in a June 7 release.

The report and order found that consumer losses from texting scams were increasing. Last year the losses were up from $86

million in 2020 to $231 million for the first three quarters alone.

The coalition letter expressed support for proposed rules that say the Do-Not-Call Registry protections extend to robotexts, that wireless telecommunications companies should be required to investigate and block texts of senders suspected of transmitting illegal texts, and to make clear that consent to receiving telemarketing calls or texts should be given one entity at a time.

Consumers have been scammed by opening links sent on their phones to well-designed phishing websites that appear identical to the website of a legitimate company or loading unwanted software onto a device, all leading to collection and misuse of personal and financial information.

The order requires mobile providers to block text messages that appear to be invalid,

unallocated, unused or found on a “do-not-originate” list making them illegal.

“We are therefore, for the first time, requiring all mobile wireless providers to block certain text messages that are highly likely to be illegal, so that all subscribers have a basic level of protection,” the FCC order stated.

This follows a May announcement of a lawsuit against Avid Telecom by Mr. Bonta. Avid allegedly sent or attempted to send over 24.5 billion robocalls between December 2018 and January 2023. Robocalls have been linked to a number of scams which included Social Security Administration scams, Medicare scams, and employment scams.

“Day in and day out, Californians receive illegal robocalls and robotexts — that needs to stop,” said Mr. Bonta.

UCSB to lead research institute for A.I.-powered cybersecurity

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN

NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Some of the nation’s computer scientists and engineers have come together to form the Institute for Agent-based Cyber Threat Intelligence and Operation.

UCSB will lead the institute.

This organization is designed to bring learning and reasoning of artificial intelligence together in regards to national security.

Sonia Fernandez, senior science writer at UCSB, shared the details of this new institute with the News-Press. This $20 million, five-year

project is funded by the National Science Foundation and hopes to innovate the world of cybersecurity. This project is one of seven artificial intelligence research institutes across the country funded by the National Science Foundation.

Giovanni Vigna, a UCSB computer science professor and cybersecurity expert, and UCSB colleagues Chris Kruegel, João Hespanha and Ambuj Singh will be joined by more than 20 collaborators from various higher education institutions from around the country to execute this project.

According to the ACTION

website (action.ucsb.edu), the collaborators will begin by conducting research along four main premises: “learning and reasoning with domain knowledge; humanagent interaction; multi-agent collaboration and strategic gaming and tactical planning.” These research areas will act as the foundation in order to handle large data sets.

The A.I. research involves a layer of defense, which goes beyond dealing with anticipated cyberattacks, into understanding the context of the attack and the attackers in a rapidly evolving, high-volume landscape of

information.

The A.I. research informs the cybersecurity element, in which agents are developed for the assessment, detection and attribution of attacks.

Additionally, the ACTION Institute will implement programs to engage K-12 students as well as undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students for education and workforce development, with an emphasis on outreach to underrepresented communities.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

UCSB will lead the Institute for Agent-based Cyber Threat Intelligence and Operation.

UCSB’s Barrett earns Freshman All-American honors

By ERIC BOOSE

UCSB SPORTS WRITER

Collegiate Baseball News announced their 2023 Freshman All-American Team on Wednesday, naming UCSB’s Hudson Barrett one of seven Freshman All-American relief pitchers.

While the lefty from Bakersfield did a little bit of everything on the mound for UCSB this season,

Barrett’s primary role was as a reliever, with 17 of his 21 appearances coming out of the bullpen. He pitched 40 innings of relief in those 17 games, earning a team-high six saves while allowing just three total runs for a bullpen ERA of 0.68. Factoring in his four starts, Barrett’s overall ERA of 1.92 was just as remarkable, the best of all qualified Division-I freshmen. His 82 strikeouts ranked third among

all Division-I rookies and were the most of any freshman reliever in the country. Barrett was named Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Big West First Team this season. He is also a semifinalist for the College Baseball Foundation’s Pitcher of the Year Award, one of two freshmen on the 25-player list.

Eric Boose is assistant director of

Blake Muller of UCSB men’s tennis named ITA Southwest Region Coach of the Year

By ERIC BOOSE

UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The honors keep rolling in for UCSB men’s tennis Head Coach Blake Muller, as he was named Southwest Region Coach of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Tuesday.

In just his second year at the helm, Muller led the Gauchos to one of their best seasons ever in 2023, finishing with a 22-4 record and The Big West Championship. UCSB’s .846 winning percentage is a program record, and their 22 wins are the third-most in school history, the first 20-win season since 1989. The 2023 campaign saw the Gauchos earn their first win over California since 1967, one of three ranked victories on the

year, as UCSB climbed as high as No. 26 in the national rankings. Five of Muller’s players earned All-Big West honors, including Player of the Year Phillip Jordan. Muller himself was named Big West Coach of the Year. He was also recognized as the UCSB Coach of the Year at the Intercollegiate Athletics Department’s SB Awards on June 4.

As one of the 12 ITA Regional Coach of the Year winners, Muller is now a candidate for the ITA’s National Coach of the Year Award, which will be announced on Monday, June 12.

Eric Boose is assistant director of athletic communications at UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

athletic communications at UCSB. email: sports@newspress.com

California to spend $68 million to make sure every kid 5 and under has books

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - California is expanding the Dolly Parton Imagination Library statewide, bringing free books to children 5 and under, and increasing accessibility and literacy to the youngest Californians.

When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB1183 last September its stated goal was “to provide age-appropriate books on a monthly basis, at home, to each child registered in the program, from birth to their 5th birthday, inclusive, at no cost to families, through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.” Now the state plans to provide universal access by expanding to all 58 counties.

“I’m so thrilled at the overwhelming support to make my Imagination Library available to every child in California! I want to thank Senator Shannon Grove and Senator Toni Atkins for inspiring tremendous support from California legislators and Governor Gavin Newsom for enthusiastically signing this bill,” Dolly Parton said. “Today is an amazing milestone for children and families across the state! We still have a lot of work to do, but together we can inspire a love of reading in children across California that will last a lifetime.”

California is the first state to offer a fully bilingual book option for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The Statewide Imagination Library Program operates under the administration of the State Librarian to foster a love of reading and learning in preschoolers.

Jeff Barbosa, Communications Officer for the California State Library told The Center Square that the 2022-23 California state budget appropriates $68.2 million in onetime funds from the General Fund for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

To announce the expansion launch on Tuesday, Gov. Newsom was joined by First

Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, State Senator Shannon Grove, State Librarian Greg Lucas, and The Dollywood Foundation.

“Dolly Parton unites us through her music — and through her commitment to helping all kids develop a love for reading.

With this statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, California is on track to put more free books in children’s hands than any other state in the nation — broadening millions of young minds to a world of unlimited possibilities,” Gov. Newsom commented.

The bipartisan legislation, authored by State Senator Shannon Grove (RBakersfield), is currently active in 30 counties in California. This expansion will extend into the remaining 28 counties, to become a statewide program by 2028 and the largest statewide Imagination Library in the nation.

“Early readers grow into strong readers. Strong readers are more likely to succeed in school and to succeed in life.

The Imagination Library makes that happen for every kid under five,” State Librarian Greg Lucas pointed out. “This is the kind of challenge we like at the State Library — working with local partners to put as many books as we can into the hands of as many kids as we can.”

All 50 states have an active Dolly Parton Imagination Library program which, since 1995 have gifted over 200 million books to preschoolers.

“I am honored to have authored this impactful legislation that will ignite the love for family reading, improve academic performance and have a positive impact on our children for generations to come,” Sen. Grove said. “Today is a historic moment as we embark upon an exciting journey to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across California, a wonderful bilingual reading program that will inspire the minds of our youngest learners.

Lawmaker files articles of impeachment against Mayorkas

By J.J. BRANNOCK THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Committee on Homeland Security Chair Clay Higgins, R-LA., has introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his failure to secure the southern border.

The move came after The Committee on Homeland Security examined the DHS Tuesday for their perceived failure to prepare for the termination of Title 42, a COVID-era policy that made it harder for illegal immigrants to make it into the U.S.

Rep. Higgins argued Mr. Mayorkas has deliberately allowed the border situation to “disintegrate” and ceded control of the region to Mexican drug cartels.

During the hearing, the Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy, Blas NunezNeto, argued that illegal immigration has decreased by 70% since the termination of Title 42 in May. Rep. Higgins alleged this was because the Biden Administration has “redefined what an illegal entry is.”

Mr. Nunez-Neto argued that assistance from Congress was necessary to increase border security, a statement that Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, took offense, arguing that Congress had recently passed “the most comprehensive border security package in the history of Congress,” referencing the Border Security for America Act of 2021.

Local graduation ceremonies

Dos Pueblos, San Marcos and Santa Barbara high schools all said to their goodbyes to the Class of 2023 on Thursday. Complete coverage of the three graduation ceremonies will appear in Saturday’s News-Press.

- Matt Smolensky

Downtown parking rates to be raised to $3 per hour

BUDGET

Continued from Page A1

and mobile detailers.

And while motorists parking in downtown city-run lots will have to pay $3 an hour as of July 1, versus the $2.50 they’re charged now, they will still be allowed to park for free for 75 minutes, as opposed to the staff-recommended 60 minutes.

The council made these decisions, and more, during a marathon 3 ½ hour nighttime session that led Mayor Randy Rowse to conclude at meeting’s end, “That was like a novacaine-free root canal.”

But before council members got down to their budget deliberations, they heard from several public speakers. Many talked about the library and airport permit fees, but some had other things on their minds.

• Some urged the council not to use voterapproved Measure C taxes to fund immediate short-term needs, diverting that money from its intended use of maintaining the city’s infrastructure. One speaker called it a “betrayal of public trust.”

The council agreed not to tap Measure C funds for anything else.

• And some city staff, who described themselves as “underpaid and overworked,” pushed the council to raise their salaries to at least keep up with cost of living increases, warning the city could lose staff to neighboring agencies. The council did not discuss this.

The Library

Supporters stressed that the library not only offers patrons free access to books, DVDs and CDs, and rows of computers for them to use, but also provides youth and senior services, supports local business, and gives the homeless a place to go.

“It’s more than a place to check out books,” one speaker said. “Literacy is not a luxury. It’s fundamental to our democracy.”

Councilmember Eric Frieman suggested taking $686,000 from the city’s Reserves to open the Central Library seven days a week, and the Eastside Library to open six days a week.

“It puts pressure on us to take it from Reserves and find a way to replace it,” he said, but it’s worth it.

He noted that the Library Plaza will open in October, “and part of its success will be for the library to be open and have the public there. It will be the first significant chance for the public to see where we’re going.”

The council voted unanimously to support his recommendation.

Councilmember Meagan Harmon, however, questioned the repeated use of Reserve funds to pay for specific items without taking a broader look at how the Reserves are utilized.

“We need to have a real conversation about Reserve policy,” she said. “If we’re going to use Reserve dollars we need to determine what this means. It’s a huge amount of work, but we’ve been doing this year after year. It’s not taking careful custody of taxpayer dollars.”

Mayor Rowse said this would be taken up as a separate agenda item in the future.

The only controversy was a protest by artists

If measure passes legislature, majority of voters must also approve

HOUSING

Continued from Page A2 a person’s physical, emotional, and economic well-being,” said Assemblymember Haney in a statement. “Despite a patchwork of resources given to cities and counties across the state to provide affordable and accessible housing, California is still struggling to address its worsening housing crisis.

“Putting this commitment to housing in our constitution brings it up in comparison to other rights that we’ve said are non-negotiable for us and holds governments and elected officials accountable to do their job. This constitutional amendment simply says housing is the highest priority and value in our state.”

Co-sponsors of ACA 10, a shared obligation of state and local jurisdictions, include the ACLU California Action Executive Director Carlos Marquez, the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Action, End Poverty in California, Housing Now, ACLU of California, Abundant Housing LA, National Homelessness Law Center, Western Center on Law and Poverty and Power California Action.

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 2405 (Autumn Burke D-LA) in 2020. The bill would have established a policy that all Californians have a right to safe, decent and affordable housing across the state, the most populous in the U.S., home to about 12% of all Americans. According to the governor in his veto message of AB 2450, “California must continue to do more to address homelessness. Regrettably, however, I cannot support this bill considering the cost implications of such a policy, estimated at over $10 billion annually.”

A factor in the fate of ACA 10 is California’s budget deficit of $31.5 billion, up from $22.5 billion in January. The state has a rainy day fund of $22 billion. For ACA 10 “to be effective,” according to an Assembly Bill Policy Committee Analysis, “the state would need a sustainable and ongoing funding source to increase the supply of affordable housing, prevent homelessness, and fund services for supportive housing — all necessary components to ensure that a right to housing is a reality.”

If the state Legislature passes and signs ACA 10, this constitutional amendment would require that a majority of voters ratify it for the legislation to take effect.

who complained about the library raising the fees they would have to pay to exhibit and sell their artwork in the Faulkner Gallery, claiming they wouldn’t be able to afford them.

Library officials, however, said other, more diverse groups also want to use the gallery and often don’t have the opportunity because of the artists’ predominance.

The council voted to send a proposal for a three-tier rate structure – one that would not charge groups that raise money for nonprofits, like the Santa Barbara Land Trust – to the library board for its consideration before returning to the council with its recommendation.

a irpor T permi T s

Several speakers during the public comment period assailed the airport for wanting to raise the annual permit from $200 to $2,000 – a 10fold increase – while at the same time people who use boats at the waterfront, and boat mechanics and detailers, only have to pay $200. They called the increase arbitrary, capricious, egregious and “likely illegal,” adding that it would force most flight instructors to find another place to work.

Airport Director Christopher Hastert told the council his own conservative analysis concluded that annual aviation and noncommercial permits fees should actually be $3,216 – $650 to issue the permits and administer that program, and the rest to pay for things like quarterly training, including updating flight instructors on current conditions, reviewing their security plans and training mobile plane detailers on stormwater requirements.

He said he and staff agreed, however, to lower the fee to $2,000 to match the Finance Committee’s recommendation.

Councilmember Mike Jordan voiced concern that even that amount would drive independent flight instructors away from the airport, “eroding the next generation of pilots who will be our customers at the airport.”

Councilmember Friedman recommended cutting the permit fee to $650 to recover the costs of issuing the permit and still comply with minimum standards, and then gather valuable data “and come back to say what it should be. We could change it in six months or a year.”

The council agreed, voting unanimously to set the permit fee at $650.

parking r aT es

Councilmember Oscar Gutietterez questioned whether the use of a recently approved automated parking system would reduce the amount of staff needed to operate the parking lots.

Sarah Clark, the city’s downtown and plaza manager, said employees are still needed to assist people with leaving the lots to avoid a backup of cars. She said the jobs go to youth, with senior monitors available to help out if necessary.

Councilmember Jordan suggested increasing the hourly rate to $3 an hour, as staff recommended, but supported keeping the amount of free parking time at 75 minutes. He questioned “how a simple change in 15 minutes

leads to an erosion of revenue.”

Ms. Clark said cutting back to 60 minutes would allow the city to at least charge drivers something, noting these motorists might have left the lots before the 75-minute grace period expired.

Mayor Rowse, however, said he feared raising revenue this way to cover the parking program’s $2.9 million deficit could backfire, and keep people away from downtown where they now shop and dine.

“I feel it could put the coffin nail” in Downtown Santa Barbara, he said.

“I say we go 50 cents and maybe defer small capital projects, and keep subsidized parking at 60 minutes.”

Councilmember Sneddon, meanwhile, proposed raising the parking rate to $3 an hour, and giving motorists 90 minutes of complementary parking. “That would encourage people to stay longer,” she said.

In the end, the council voted unanimously to raise the hourly rate to $3 an hour, but keep the 75 minutes of free parking now in place.

oT her depar Tmen T s:

In a series of votes, the council:

• Restored funds to the Fire Department to pay for an inspector position, educational supplies and training. The inspector position has been vacant for two years.

• Restored funds for Monroe Elementary afterschool programs and Parks and Recreation youth services.

• Restored funding to the Police Department for parking enforcement. But the council rejected the idea of restoring two vacant officer positions and a vacant sergeant’s position.

Councilmember Friedman noted that Chief Kelly Ann Gordon had complied with staffrecommended budget cuts, and identified those positions the department could do without. Keeping the officer positions vacant would not decrease the department’s patrol strength in any way, the chief said.

• Increased annual parking permit fees at the waterfront from $125 to $135.

• Restored a 5% reduction in grant money from the City Administrator’s Office for outside entities, like Old Spanish Days, the Santa Barbara Film Festival and the Summer Solstice Festival and Parade.

• Increased budgets for City Council members by $1,000 to use at their discretion for travel to various conferences, and to pay for Town Halls with constituents. It doesn’t apply to the Mayor’s Office, which has its own budget for that.

• Agreed to spend $119,000 to restore a planning technician/counter staff position in the Community Development Department. The funds would come from money now going to SB ACT and the Path shelter to help homeless people. Council members took no action on where and how those programs would continue to be funded.

• Supported the Department of Public Works’ offer to provide in-kind support of the Milpas Street Christmas lights by agreeing to clean up the roundabout. email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Circus Vargas is back in Santa Barbara with a new “Bonjour, Paris!” theme and someone you might not expect.

A singing ringmaster.

“You don’t run away with the circus,” ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, a classically trained opera singer, told the News-Press Wednesday. “The circus comes to find you.

“I was going to go to Europe after I graduated and continue my studies,” Mr. Iverson said, explaining he was participating in a dinner theater production to raise money for his trip.

“The person directing the dinner theater was directing a circus and

wanted a singing ringmaster. It was being in the right place at the right time,” he said.

He was offered the job and accepted it, realizing he would have something that stood out on his resume. Sure, he thought, he would do it for a couple years.

That was 25 years ago, and

Mr. Iverson has been a singing ringmaster ever since.

“Once the sawdust gets in your blood …,” said Mr. Iverson, who loved circus work so much that he dedicated his life to it.

Mr. Iverson will show that enthusiasm when he performs songs — original music written for Circus Vargas — at 7:30 tonight at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Featuring an international cast, the shows will continue under the blue tent at the Santa Barbara site

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023

CircusreturnsVargas

CALENDAR

Show at Earl Warren Showgrounds to feature acrobats, trapeze artists and more

136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical.org.

6 p.m. to midnight. The third annual Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival takes place at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. If purchased before June 9, tickets cost $46 for general admission and $81 for a VIP package that includes access to a VIP lounge. Tickets include admission to a June 10 block party. On June 9, ticket prices increase to $56 for general admission and $106 for VIP tickets. To purchase, go to lobero.org. For more information, go to santabarbarasurffilmfestival.com.

6 to 7:30 p.m. The Pearl Chase Society’s Kellam de Forest Speaker Series will continue at the Carrillo Recreation Center. 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara. This is the third installment in the series. Author and editor Douglas Woods will discuss the transformation of Santa Barbara’s architecture following the great earthquake of 1925 to a model Spanish Revival-style city. For more information or to make a reservation, call 805-403-7053.

7:30 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows June 9-19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas. com.

JUNE 10

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Barbara Home & Garden Lifestyle Expo will take place at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 805-252-5227 or go to www. chargoproductions.com.

through June 19.

Once again, audiences will be treated to amazing acrobatic acts, flying trapeze artists, clever jugglers and stunts such as three motorcyclists driving around in a spherical cage with the lights out. Back is the Wheel of Destiny — two giant hamster wheels suspended 35 feet in the air with two men walking inside and on top of them. They’re just out for a stroll — at an out-of-this-world height. And there will be Italian and French clowns in a show with the imaginary premise that an American circus has arrived in Paris, explained Katya ArataQuiroga, who co-owns Circus Vargas with her husband, Nelson Quiroga.

Their daughter Daniella Arata Quiroga is a contortionist who will

be back in Santa Barbara with a bow and arrow. She shoots the arrow with her feet.

“Our other daughter (Mariella Arata Quiroga) just came from Germany with the flying trapeze,” Ms. Arata-Quiroga said, noting that daughter and her fellow trapeze artists will perform in the Santa Barbara shows.

There will be all kinds of stunts, starting tonight. For example, Rubel Medini will perform his rolla bolla act. Rolla bolla involves standing on a board on a rolling cylinder, and Mr. Medini likes to keep stacking them to the point he’s doing a balancing act at an impressive height.

Two sisters — Kimberly and Jessica Lester — will do some juggling.

With their feet.

And as they did last year at Earl Warren Showgrounds, clowns will have some fun as they interact with children and adults in the audience.

“It’s wholesome family entertainment with your children and grandparents,” Ms. ArataQuiroga said. “Everybody enjoys the circus.”

Mr. Iverson, the singing ringmaster, praised Circus Vargas for being a “fine tuned, world class” production.

“The audience is very responsive, to the point of rousing standing ovations,” Mr. Iverson said.

He noted fans follow Circus Vargas, which is based in San Bernardino County and recently performed shows in Ventura and elsewhere in California, on social

Please see CIRCUS on B2

10 a.m. to midnight. The third annual Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival takes place at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. General admission tickets cost $26 in advance or $31 on day-of-the-event, both per film. VIP tickets cost $106 in advance and $126 on the day of the event. They include access to a VIP lounge. Tickets include admission to the block party. To purchase, go to lobero.org. For more information, go to santabarbarasurffilmfestival.com.

1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

2 p.m. Chaucer’s Books will host Miss Angel for its Read With Pride event. There will be a story time reading of “Julian is a Mermaid” as well as other select children’s books at 2 p.m. June 10 at the store, 3321 State St., Santa Barbara. “Julian is a Mermaid” is a picture book written and illustrated by Jessica Love and was the 2019 winner of the Stonewall Book Award. For more information, visit www.chaucersbooks.com.

7 p.m. A concert will feature South of Linden, The Vonettes, Ron Solorzano of Mestizo and The Youngsters at Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria. Cost is $15 for general admission. You can buy two tickets for $25 at https://www.thealcazar.org/ calendar/11838-south-of-linden-firends.

JUNE 11 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Barbara Home & Garden Lifestyle Expo will take place at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 805-252-5227 or go to www. chargoproductions.com.

12:30, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

JUNE 12

6:30 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas. com.

At left, Rubel Medini performs his rolla bolla act at Circus Vargas. At right, Katya Arata-Quiroga and Nelson Quiroga are the co-owners of Circus Vargas.

At left, contortionist Daniella Arata Quiroga shoots an arrow with her feet. At right, Patrick Marinelli and Vanessa Faltyny perform on aerial straps.

PHOTOS COURTESY CIRCUS VARGAS

Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, an opera singer, will perform songs at Circus Vargas, which begins its shows tonight in Santa Barbara.

COURTESY IMAGES

Carbajal announces winners of 2023 Congressional Art Competition

By KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, recently announced the honorees for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for the 24th Congressional District, including the winner, three runners up and the recipient of the People’s Choice award. Winners for this award will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Bennett Urwick, a sophomore at Buena High School in Ventura, won the first place prize, for “The Backbone of Industry.” Runners up were Nolan Waters, a senior at the Dunn School in Los Olivos, for “Hero”; Jackson Leck, a senior at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, for “Curiosity Reimagined,” and Ella Bailey, a Santa Barbara High School senior, for “Amanda Gorman, Leader of a New Generation.”

Eliza Hero, senior at Ernest Righetti High

We Climb,” at the inauguration of President Joe Biden. At right, “Healing” by Eliza Hero, from Ernest Righetti High School in Santa Maria, depicts human and nonhuman with a portrait of a person and bear face to face.

School in Santa Maria, won the People’s Choice award by popular vote on Rep. Carbajal’s website.

“I’d like to congratulate Bennett, Nolan, Jackson, Ella, Eliza and all of the talented high school artists from across the Central Coast who submitted their work,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I am consistently amazed at the creativity displayed in the submissions from students across the Central Coast — and this year is no exception.”

The winners were selected by a panel of

local artists and teachers from the Central Coast. The submissions to the art competition were showcased at a local art show last month. Entries were limited to current middle and high school students living in the 24th Congressional District.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982, and over 650,000 students have participated since its opening. email: klogan@newspress.com

City of Goleta to celebrate garden, path, splash pad

By KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The city of Goleta will hold a ceremony Monday for its first community garden and multipurpose path, followed by an equally groundbreaking ceremony of the splash pad. Attendees will hear from Mayor Paula Perotte, District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco and City Manager Robert Nisbet. The Goleta City Council will break ground with shovels at both locations.

The ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Armitos Park, located at the end of Armitos

Drive near S. Kellogg Avenue and the Armitos Avenue intersection. Following the first ceremony, attendees are encouraged to wear walking shoes and walk to the neighboring Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park at 170 S. Kellogg Ave. for the second ceremony.

“I am pleased to see these projects breaking ground,” Mayor Perotte said. “Adding a community garden and splash pad continue to make Old Town Goleta a place people want to come to and a gathering spot for all.”

Construction will begin on the community garden at Armitos Park, south of the playground.

The design includes raised garden plots, a picnic area with a pizza oven, a gathering area, tool sheds and more. The playgrounds will also receive a “refresh,” including the addition of swings, sand features, and music elements. In addition, the multipurpose path adjacent to Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park will be extended to Armitos Avenue. The splash pad will nestle between the basketball court and one of the picnic shelters. The park will also receive additional fencing for basketball and pickleball, shade structures over the picnic areas by the soccer fields and more. Once

construction is complete, the basketball court will be resurfaced.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in mid-October. During construction, all of Armitos Park will be closed.

Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park will have open portions of the park, as long as it is safe for the public. The basketball court, parts of the parking lot, the bocce and bankshot courts, one of the covered picnic shelters and the chess/checker tables will be temporarily closed for park goers’ safety.

email: klogan@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS

Circus Vargas’s tent and traditional concessions stand went up Wednesday at Earl Warren Showgrounds. Shows run tonight through June 19.

CIRCUS

Continued from Page B1

media.

“One lady sees us in San Diego, gives us hugs and contacts me on Instagram,” Mr. Iverson said.

“Every act is strong, and we have a young, energetic, strong cast,” Mr. Iverson said. “This show keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.”

He said that as the ringmaster, he enhances an all-already great show.

Ms. Arata-Quiroga was listening as Mr. Iverson talked to the News-

Press and said the circus’ new ringmaster was being modest.

“He adds a lot more than enhancing it,” she said.

Mr. Iverson’s love of music grew as he started performing, at age 11, with the Boys Choir of Harlem. That’s where he developed appreciation for a broad spectrum of music.

“They did everything from Johann Sebastian Bach to Duke Ellington and Earth, Wind and Fire,” the Orlando resident told the News-Press. “It was a robust repertoire.”

Mr. Iverson grew up in New York

City, where he graduated from LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. That’s the prestigious school that inspired the 1980 movie “Fame.” He went on to earn his bachelor’s in music in 1998 at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

Mr. Iverson said his training in opera has been the foundation of his long circus career.

He said he continues to train like an opera singer, which requires the use of the entire body. “I think it’s the Mount Olympus of singing.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

FYI

Circus Vargas is presenting shows tonight through June 19 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara.

Tonight’s show is at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday’s performances are at 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday’s shows are at 12:30, 3:30 and 7 p.m. For other showtimes, check the daily calendar in the Life & the Arts section.

Tickets vary from $19 to $75, with discounts available for children and seniors 60 and older. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

At left, “The Backbone of Industry” by Bennett Urwick, from Buena High School in Ventura, won first place as the art depicts the typical middle class family in capitalist America. Center, “Hero” by Nolan Waters, from Dunn School in Los Olivos, draws a detailed firefighters uniform as he captures in both his title and art what it means to be a hero. At right, “Curiosity Reimagined” by Jackson Leck, from San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, utilizes color and shadows to draw a portrait.

At left, “Amanda Gorman, Leader of a New Generation” by Ella Bailey, from Santa Barbara High School, is a portrait of Amanda Gorman, who read her poem, “The Hill

Thought for Today

“Don’t pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.” — Andy

Warhol

SUDOKU

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Friday, June 9, 2023

ARIES — There are powerful forces operating now, Aries.

Whether you realize it or not, you have tremendous control over the direction of these energies. Take control of the situation instead of letting someone else do it for you. You will find that other people are more malleable than usual, making them quite willing to move forward in whatever direction you point them.

TAURUS — If conflict arises in your world, Taurus, you must keep in mind that there is no one else to blame except you. Keeping your sights set on one goal is useful as you concentrate all your energy toward that one thing.

At the same time, you may be losing perspective on what’s going on around you. Make sure you continue to be a team player by keeping an eye out for the people in the wings.

GEMINI — Life may seem like a great train ride, Gemini. You have your own little compartment that you’re striving to keep comfortable and neat. The company you keep is important, as is your proximity to the food car. Be careful that you don’t get so wrapped up in your own little world that you neglect to pay heed to where the train is headed.

CANCER — You need to learn an important lesson in followthrough, Cancer. As you strive for perfection, you may get the feeling that nothing is ever fully completed. Try not to be so hard on yourself. The work you’ve finished so far is more than likely much better than what most people could ever accomplish.

LEO — Be careful about being driven so strongly that you fail to take into consideration the changing environment, Leo. Things have probably changed quite a bit since you first set out on this mission. You may have packed for sunshine and suddenly it looks like rain. Put away your sunglasses and take out your umbrella. It’s important that you adapt to unexpected change.

VIRGO — You may be hit with some extreme circumstances that cause you to feel uneasy about continuing along your path, Virgo. Use this jolt as a reminder that nothing is set in stone. An element of the

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Friday, June 9, 2023

This week’s deals have treated “avoidance” plays by declarer: preventing a “dangerous” defender from gaining the lead. To test yourself, cover the East-West cards. You’re declarer at five clubs. (I know, you and North would have reached 3NT, played by South.) West leads the queen of hearts.

The actual declarer took the ace of hearts and drew trumps. He cashed the king of hearts, ruffed dummy’s last heart and led the A-K and a third spade. East won and shifted to a diamond, and West took two diamonds. Down one.

DISCARD

South probably needs a 3-3 spade break so dummy’s fourth spade will provide a diamond discard, but South can’t afford to let East win a spade trick. South should let West’s queen of hearts win the first trick.

If West leads another heart, South wins, draws trumps and takes the second high heart for a spade discard. He cashes the A-K of spades, ruffs a spade and returns a trump to dummy to discard a diamond on the 13th spade. Did you duck at Trick One?

CODEWORD PUZZLE

Your partner opens one spade, and you respond 2NT, a

unexpected can always creep up on you. Deep down, you probably had a feeling that this difficult situation was bound to happen eventually.

LIBRA — You may feel like you’re on a road to adventure and excited about the frontiers you’re encountering, Libra. Unfortunately, it seems that not everyone is as excited about this path as you are. Blows to your ego are apt to hit hard, but try not to let this deter you.

SCORPIO — There’s a tremendously sensitive side to your personality that’s tender and extremely vulnerable, Scorpio. Be careful about putting too much of yourself out there now. By opening yourself up so much, you’re inviting in trouble. Others might not be that aware of how sensitive you are.

SAGITTARIUS — You may be in a difficult position, Sagittarius, as a critical part of a pending decision. Your first reaction may be to throw up your hands and leave the decision to someone else. Making a choice is too tough, so you find that you’d rather not have to make it at all. Unfortunately, it looks like everyone else has the same idea.

CAPRICORN — Your selfesteem should be strong these days, Capricorn, helping you build more confidence in yourself every day. There may be a glitch in the action today, however, as someone with an extreme perspective on things suddenly steps into the picture. Your emotions may suddenly swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. Do your best to stay calm.

AQUARIUS — A ray of sunshine is likely to shine on you, Aquarius. Things may have been cloudy lately, making it harder for you to maintain a positive disposition. Today’s news will be uplifting, and you will likely be reminded of all the good times in store for you.

PISCES — Recent hesitation on your part may have suddenly put you in a bind, Pisces. It may feel like you’ve reached gridlock and your choices are limited. You can no longer get a solid handle on things. Instead of trying to make a move now, you may have to wait until the dust settles and you can see clearly again. Let the situation release before you add any more friction.

INSTRUCTIONS

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

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

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

PUZZLE

conventional forcing raise. Partner next bids three clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: In conjunction with your conventional 2NT, opener’s three clubs shows a singleton there.

The idea is to let you judge whether you have useful cards. Here, your ace of clubs is ideal (the K-Q would be “wasted”). Cue-bid three hearts. You will cue-bid the ace of clubs next.

Trump faces potential federal indictment

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Former President Donald Trump may be facing an imminent federal indictment over his storage of classified documents at his Florida home.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers, who met with the Department of Justice Monday, were reportedly informed by the DOJ that the special counsel investigating his handling of classified documents may be indicting him as early as this week.

DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith is leading the inquiry.

Mr. Trump has already been indicted by a New York grand jury for a different state matter, but a possible federal indictment from the Department of Justice overseen by President Joe Biden, an opposing political opponent, would be unprecedented ground for U.S. politics.

“Mark my words: I believe Merrick Garland will indict Donald Trump,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on Fox News earlier this week.

Critics have been outspoken in particular because former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was long under scrutiny for her alleged mishandling of classified information

and deleted emails, was never indicted.

Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, called the legal proceedings “election interference.”

“A corrupt Biden Justice Department indictment of Trump could undo our Republic,” he wrote on Twitter.

Mr. Trump was hit by an FBI raid over classified documents last year that spiked his poll numbers and raised accusations of politicization of the justice system. Investigators have continued gathering evidence, though, raising concerns that the leading Republican presidential candidate may have real criminal troubles on his hands going into the election.

When asked about a Trump indictment, former Attorney General Bill Barr told CBS on Tuesday, “I suspect it is near.”

In April, Mr. Trump offered his “not guilty” plea to 34 counts during his arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York.

Those charges are related to allegations that Mr. Trump paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels through a lawyer seven years ago and covered it up as a legal expense before being elected president.

President Biden has his own

LA CUMBRE

problems with a similar allegation as well. Federal law enforcement officers seized classified documents found in his garage at his Delaware home as well as at a private office used by President Biden. The documents come from after his time as vice president ended years ago. Some of the documents were kept at a Washington, D.C. think tank that has received substantial funding from Chinese donors. So far, President Biden has not been indicted.

Mr. Trump has repeatedly blasted the investigations against him, calling them a coordinated attack to keep him from getting elected.

“Wow, this is turning out to be the greatest & most vicious instance of ELECTION INTERFERENCE in the history of our Country,” Mr. Trump wrote on TruthSocial.

“Remember, I’m leading DeSanctimonious BIG in the Polls but, more importantly, I’m leading Biden by a lot. Also, & perhaps most importantly, they are launching all of the many Fake Investigations against me RIGHT SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CAMPAIGN, something which is unheard of & not supposed to happen. DOJ, FBI, NEW YORK A.G., NEW YORK D.A., ATLANTA D.A. FASCISTS ALL!”

FBI releases record allowing Biden family bribery investigation to continue

By J.J. BRANNOCK THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The FBI agreed late Wednesday to show documents to the U.S. House Oversight Committee investigating claims from a confidential informant that President Joe Biden was involved in a $5 million bribery scheme when he served as vice president under the Obama administration.

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer, R-Ky., announced that the FBI submitted the records after he threatened to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress.

“After weeks of refusing to even admit the FD-1023 record exists, the FBI has caved and is now allowing all members of the

Oversight and Accountability Committee to review this unclassified record,” Rep. Comer said.

Rep. Comer said the record contained “a confidential human source’s conversations with a foreign national who claimed to have bribed then-Vice President Joe Biden.” Rep. Comer also canceled a contempt hearing scheduled for Thursday after the documents were made available.

Rep. Comer said the anonymous source has been validated as highly credible, having worked within the FBI for over 10 years and paid six figures.

Additionally, the FBI is submitting two more documents mentioned in the FD-1023 file for the committee’s review.

“The Oversight Committee will continue to follow the facts and ensure accountability for the American people,” Rep. Comer said.

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

Chair James Comer, R-Ky., announced that the FBI submitted the records after he threatened to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress.

LAS POSITAS

and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. This activity will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reasons. Although the Buena Tierra project site is in a Regulatory Floodway, the project will be adapted in order to minimize effects on floodplain values. Steps were taken in order to minimize risks to human life and property via preconstruction civil engineering/modeling and analysis, construction methods, flood insurance, etc. The alternative site identified in the planning process at 3699 Sagunto Street was problematic due to noise concerns and the noise mitigation costs would exceed those of the proposed site. Internal market analysis conducted by HASBARCO determined that construction outside of the floodplain at an alternative site is not viable because the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara (HASBARCO) does not own alternate sites consistent with the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and California Tax Credit Allocation Committee regulations. Due to noise, financial costs, and other concerns, as well as the requirement that the project be constructed within city limits due to bond issues,