Santa Barbara News-Press: October 07, 2022

Beautifying s tate Route 246

Officials participate in ribbon cutting for Chumash Museum Highway Beautification Project

s anta Maria man pleads not guilty to fentanyl charge

Victor Anthony Olivera Hernandez set to be tried Nov. 8 in federal court

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

An accused drug dealer from Santa Maria arrested after law enforcement officers allegedly caught him with a massive amount of illegal narcotics — including nearly 17,000 pills containing fentanyl — pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Defendant Victor Anthony Olivera Hernandez, 21, denied the charge against him contained in a grand jury indictment during his arraignment Thursday in U.S. District Court, Ciaran McEvoy, public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told the News-Press Thursday.

Mr. Hernandez’s jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. U.S. District Judge George H. Wu is assigned to this case. Judge Wu is located in Courtroom 9D (ninth floor) of the U.S. Courthouse, 350 W. 1st St., Los Angeles.

1,676.12 grams, of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance,” the indictment states.

Mr. Hernandez, who was previously being held at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail in Santa Barbara, is currently incarcerated at the Men’s Detention Center in Los Angeles, Mr. McEvoy said. It is a federal facility run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He has been ordered jailed without bond.

Originally, Mr. Hernandez was being prosecuted in Superior Court by Santa Barbara County prosecutors, but then the U.S. Attorney’s Office reached out and said it wanted to prosecute him on federal charges. Local prosecutors readily agreed.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Local officials were all smiles Thursday morning with efforts under way to beautify a half-mile stretch of State Route 246 by the future Chumash Museum and Cultural Center.

“I’m very proud to be here, celebrating this partnership with our community, particularly with Caltrans District 5,” said Kenneth Kahn, chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Indians, before cutting the ribbon for the beautification project while other local officials held ceremonial shovels.

“As you can see, our 15,000 square-foot museum is nearly done,” Mr. Kahn said, referring to the structure near him during Thursday’s ceremony. “We are

The highway beautification project involves native plant landscaping, an upgrade to irrigation using recycled water, decorative crosswalks for pedestrians and bicyclists, and improved directional signage.

“The Grand Jury charges: On or about Aug. 4, 2022, in Santa Barbara County, within the Central District of California, defendant Victor Anthony Olivera Hernandez, knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least 400 grams, that is, approximately

Mr. Hernandez was arrested Aug. 4 by detectives with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations after they raided a house in the 100 block of Curryer Street in Santa Maria. Some of the drugs seized were reportedly found in areas accessible to children living there.

Law enforcement reported seizing approximately 17,000 M30 fentanyl pills, 22.5 pounds of cannabis flower, 27 grams of MDMA or Ecstasy, 218 grams of

Funkhouser seeks seat on Santa Maria City Council

Editor’s note: This is part of a series on local candidates in advance of the Nov. 8 general election.

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Steven Funkhouser wants to tackle the challenges of rising

FYi

about Santa

crime rates, homelessness and the lack of good-paying jobs.

Those are among the reasons he’s running for the District 3 seat of the Santa Maria City Council against incumbent Gloria Soto.

“My family has lived in the Santa Maria Valley for six generations,” Mr. Funkhouser told the News-Press. “From union sugar and the strawberry fields to owning and operating a small business, I know there is no better place to live, work and raise a family.

“However, rising crime rates, homelessness and the lack of

COURTESY PHOTO

Steven Funkhouser

Please see PLEA on A10

talks about crime,

Kenneth Kahn, chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Indians, cuts the ribbon Thursday to celebrate the $1.3 million Chumash Museum Highway Beautification project in Santa Ynez as other officials watched. Standing next to Mr. Kahn is state Sen. Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara.

Tim Gubbins, the Caltrans District 5 director, discusses the highway beautification project. He said he was proud to coordinate with community partners such as the Chumash to beautify the busy and scenic State Route 246.

Construction continues at the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center.

Maine lawmakers seek to cut California group’s federal funding

By CHRISTIAN WADE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Maine’s congressional delegation wants to cut off federal funding for a California-based seafood group that has called for a nationwide boycott of lobster over concerns about the impact of the industry on endangered right whales.

A resolution filed by Sen. Angus King, IMaine, and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and other Maine lawmakers calls for pulling the plug on funding for the Monterey Bay Aquarium over its list urging consumers to “avoid” lobster caught in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank.

The lawmakers say the “red list” urging restaurants and seafood distributors to pull American lobster off the menu is “speculative and conjecture” and not based on scientific data.

“Monterey Bay Aquarium receives millions of federal taxpayer dollars for scientific research and to promote ocean conservation and seafood sustainability, yet the Monterey Bay Aquarium has irresponsibly ignored scientific facts and the lobster fishery’s history of sustainability,” the legislation states.

In a statement, Sen. King called the seafood group’s red listing of lobster a “baseless attack on a proud, sustainable fishery and a clear attempt to put thousands of Maine people out of work.”

“By refusing to provide any evidence supporting their harmful decision and ignoring facts that undercut their conclusion, the Aquarium has made it clear that they are not a serious scientific organization, and

‘Ouch’: Gas prices rise for two straight weeks, OPEC expected to drive them higher

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Gas prices have continued to rise over the past two weeks, and now OPEC has announced a major decision that will likely drive those prices higher.

OPEC said Wednesday that it would reduce oil production beginning in November by 2 million barrels per day. OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries largely based in the Mideast, said in a statement it made the decision “in light of the uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and oil market outlooks, and the need to enhance the long-term guidance for the oil market, and in line with the successful approach of being proactive, and preemptive…”

President Joe Biden helped lower prices by releasing one million barrels per day from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve since April, but the reserves –meant for emergency situations like natural disasters or in the event of war – are now near decades-low levels.

“In any event, we will continue to take steps to protect American consumers,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during Tuesday’s press briefing. “Our focus, and it’s been very clear for the past several, several months, has been on taking every step to ensure markets are sufficiently supplied to meet demand for a growing global economy.”

President Biden told reporters earlier this week he was “concerned” about OPEC’s announcement, calling it “unnecessary.”

According to AAA, the current national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.83, up from $3.77 a week ago. The average price in California is $6.42, while in Santa Barbara the average price is $6.36. The recent rise in gas prices is due in part to the effects of Hurricane Ian.

Patrick De Haan, a petroleum expert with Gas Buddy, said he expects OPEC’s decision to drive prices up 15 to 30 cents per gallon.

“Ouch... and up goes oil after OPEC recommendation…” he wrote on Twitter. “It’s VERY nuanced right now because of refinery kinks, but high [gas prices] will soon fall in the West Coast, Great Lakes and others where they exploded, while rising in the Gulf, South, [Southeast], East Coast and [Northeast] because of OPEC’s decision.”

Prices hit an all-time high in June, surpassing $5 per gallon before declining. Current prices, though, are still much higher than when President Biden took office. The average price one year ago was $3.20 per gallon.

contributed

A resolution filed by Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and other Maine lawmakers calls for pulling the plug on funding for the Monterey Bay Aquarium over its list urging consumers to “avoid” lobster caught in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank.

certainly not one that deserves taxpayer funding,” Sen. King said.

Rep. Golden accused the seafood group of flouting “evidence and data” and said it “should not receive taxpayer funds.” He said the list “could have a serious impact on the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working lobstermen.”

Rep. Golden was recently criticized by former U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican who is challenging him in the Nov. 8 elections. Rep. Poliquin says Rep. Golden accepted a $667 campaign contribution in 2020 from Monterey Bay Aquarium’s executive director Julie Packard. Rep. Poliquin has called on Rep. Golden to return the money.

The Monterey Bay group’s latest Seafood Watch, which ranks fisheries based on environmental impact, working conditions and supply chain benefits, recommended restaurants to take lobster off their menus over the potential impact of the industry on critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

The group says its mission is to help restaurants and other seafood distributors select “environmentally friendly” seafood.

Responding to the outrage from Maine officials, Seafood Watch stood by its “sciencebased assessments” and accused officials of spreading “misinformation” that “does not consider the full range of available scientific facts.”

“Seafood Watch uses a robust, globallyaccepted approach to determining the environmental sustainability of a fishery,” the group said in a statement. “There is documented serious injury and death due to fishing entanglement in U.S. and Canadian waters, including in recent years.”

Fishing industry groups say federal data shows there hasn’t been a right whale entanglement attributed to Maine lobster gear in 18 years, and no reported cases of any deaths.

North Atlantic right whales, driven to the brink of extinction in the 20th century by whalers, and are more recently at risk from ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear. The whales have dwindled to a population of about 340, scientists say.

The lobster fishery is one of the most valuable in the U.S. and was worth more than $900 million at the docks last year in Maine alone.

Business organizations urge Biden administration to boost domestic energy production

By VICTOR SKINNER THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — Business leaders across the country have joined together to call on the Biden administration to boost domestic energy production and to abandon a proposal to ban new offshore lease sales.

More than 200 local chambers of commerce in 47 states and 14 national associations penned a letter to President Joe Biden this week to urge him “to strengthen our energy security by removing impediments to greater domestic energy production.”

“High energy prices remain a major concern for businesses throughout the United States and are a leading cause of inflation,” the letter read. “Businesses of all sizes are facing burdens from increased costs for goods, services, and transportation, which combined with tight labor markets, presents major headwinds for the U.S. economy.”

The letter argued that addressing climate change and energy security “are not mutually exclusive” and increasing domestic oil and natural gas production can “accelerate the energy transition” while simultaneously curbing cash to Russia and improving the lives of Americans.

“Also, Russian oil is among the dirtiest in the world, so displacing it with cleaner, less carbon intensive U.S. production would bring obvious environmental benefits,” the letter read.

Business leaders pointed to the Biden administration’s “mixed signals” on domestic energy production and outlined three major issues that should be addressed: Ending the ban on new oil and natural gas exploration on federal lands and waters, restoring canceled oil and gas lease sales and adopting a five-year plan for oil and gas development that allows the U.S. to maximize offshore potential.

“Federal lands and waters were responsible for 22 percent of all U.S. oil production and 12 percent of natural gas. Taking these resources off the table has a significant impact on U.S. and global energy supply, today and decades into the

future,” the letter read.

“On July 1, the Department of Interior proposed a new plan that included an option to completely shut down offshore exploration by allowing no new leases, creating even more uncertainty,” it continued. “It is not reasonable to ask that companies make major, long-term investments without knowing whether exploration will even be permitted.

“We urge the adoption of a new 5-year plan by the end of the year that includes the maximum possible number of lease sales,” business leaders wrote.

The letter came around the same time the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced plans to cut back on oil production, a move that’s expected to contribute to a spike in energy prices in the U.S. Louisiana organizations that signed onto the letter include the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Chamber Southwest Louisiana, Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Louisiana’s Committee of 100 for Economic Development, One Acadiana, and the Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce.

“The world needs safe, affordable energy and thankfully America has plenty of it. It’s time to get America back in the game and the perfect place to start is the Gulf of Mexico,” said Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack. “We know that producers along the Gulf Coast supply nearly 15 percent of our nation’s oil production, over 2 percent of our nation’s natural gas production and are capable of doing so much more. We need the Administration and Congress to stop tying the hands of our domestic energy producers at a time in which energy prices are rising and inflation remains at historic levels.

“America has the tools and resources, particularly right here in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast, to maintain our position as a global energy leader,” Mr. Waguespack said. “It’s time to flip the switch on American energy and allow our energy creators to do what they do best.”

Americans see ‘most severe’ pay cut in 25 years due to inflation

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Americans are experiencing the biggest pay cut in decades in large part due to inflation, new data shows.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, one of several regional Fed banks around the country, released new wage and price data, and it isn’t good news for Americans.

“We find that a majority of employed workers’ real (inflation-adjusted) wages have failed to keep up with inflation in the past year,” the bank said. “For these workers, the median decline in real wages is a little more than 8.5 percent. Taken together, these outcomes appear to be the most severe faced by employed workers over the past 25 years.”

The Fed bank reported that more than half of Americans saw a decrease in wages in the last 12 months.

last 25 years? The average median decline over the last 25 years is 6.5 percent, with real wage declines typically falling in the range of 5.7 to 6.8 percent…”

The bank pointed to the Consumer Price Index, which since President Joe Biden took office has elevated to the highest rate in four decades. The Bureau of Labor Statistic’s latest Consumer Price Index surpassed 8% in the previous 12 months.

Some expenses like groceries saw larger increases.

“The food at home index rose 13.5 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 1979,” BLS said. “The index for other food at home rose 16.7 percent and the index for cereals and bakery products increased 16.4 percent over the year. The remaining major grocery store food groups posted increases ranging from 9.4 percent (fruits and vegetables) to 16.2 percent (dairy and related products).”

Prescribed burn near Los Olivos planned for Oct. 10-15

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department plans to conduct a prescribed burn to reduce wildland fuel between Midland School and 4335 Tim’s Road, near Los Olivos, as early as midOctober.

Prescribed fires typically burn less intensely than wildfires, according to County Fire.

The fire department also said prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation.

This burn, which is scheduled for Oct. 10-15, is designed to achieve fuel reduction to reduce the risk of wildfire for Woodstock Ranch, Oak Trail Estates and Midland School, according to County Fire.

Plans call for approximately 1,600 acres of sage scrub and oak woodland to be burned. The burn is expected to occur over four to five consecutive days.

County Fire said the burn will occur when the weather is likely to direct smoke away from population centers.

This prescribed burn is coordinated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and the California Air Resources Board to minimize impacts on air quality.

— Katherine Zehnder

this report.

“How severe are the losses for workers experiencing negative real wage growth?” the group said. “For the 53.4 percent of such workers in the second quarter of 2022, the median decline (that is, half of the declines were larger and half smaller) in real wage growth was 8.6 percent. How does the severity of the real wage decline in the second quarter of 2022 compare with the declines over the

Those price increases have outpaced wage gains, meaning some workers who even got a raise this year still didn’t see a large enough increase to offset inflationary price hikes.

“While the past 25 years have witnessed episodes that show either a greater incidence or larger magnitude of real wage declines, the current time period is unparalleled in terms of the challenge employed workers face,” the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said.

Ashleigh Brilliant,

W. Valerio Santa Barbara

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER Plans call for approximately 1,600 acres of sage scrub and oak woodland to be burned. The burn is expected to occur over four to five consecutive days.

Analytics805 founder raises questions about ‘Gender Queer’

Thomas Cole talks about Santa Barbara Unified making graphic novel available in high school libraries

By JARED DANIELS NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

A graphic novel available in high school libraries in the Santa Barbara Unified School District — which visually depicts various sexual content, including masturbation and oral sexual activity — has drawn scrutiny and condemnation from parents and conservative activists.

The book in question, “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, was a central focus point of a press conference held Thursday at the Montecito Inn by Thomas Cole, a local media and political consultant who founded Analytics805.

“We’re not against gay people at all. We’re not against sex. We’re not prudes,” Mr. Cole said during his remarks. “(But) we are against school grooming of students with explicit sexual material depicting minors engaged in sex, which is what is in the book that we’re talking about.”

When reviewing the copy of “Gender Queer” that Mr. Cole had on-hand during the presentation, the News-Press found that the formatting of the book, which is a memoir, made it difficult to determine whether minors were depicted in illustrations that included sexual activity.

When pressed on this point by the News-Press, Mr. Cole stated that regardless of the age of those depicted, such material should not be made available to minors. He then went as far as to allege that making such material available to high school students constituted a violation of the law prohibiting the distribution of sexual material to minors.

Aside from the book being available in high school libraries, Mr. Cole also alleged that concerned parents of students at Dos Pueblos High School and Santa Barbara High School reached out to him saying that “Gender Queer” was listed as “required reading” in their students’ classes.

Mr. Cole declined to provide

KZSB to air football game

KZSB — AM1290, the NewsPress radio station — will broadcast tonight’s football game when Bishop Diego High School hosts Oaks Christian High School. The games will also air on AM1290KZSB.com.

The broadcast will begin at 6:45 p.m.

There is no Santa Barbara City College football game this Saturday. The Vaqueros will be back in action Oct. 15 at home for their American Pacific League opener against Los Angeles Pierce College. That day’s broadcast will start at 12:45 p.m. on KZSB.

evidence to these allegations out of concern for the privacy and safety of the parents and their children.

Nick Masuda, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara Unified School District, told the NewsPress Thursday that “Gender Queer” was not included in any lists of either required or recommended reading in the district.

When asked whether Santa Barbara Unified considered the content of the book appropriate for high school students, the district responded in a statement to the News-Press that “(SBUSD) librarians not only put a tremendous amount of effort and thought into the thousands of books that are available in our libraries across the district, they also follow a set of criteria and guidelines for selection.”

“We understand that some literature can be perceived as controversial, and when that happens, we offer a process for parents and students to challenge materials,” SBUSD’s statement continued. “As a district, we are firm believers in providing literature for all audiences, as it speaks to our goal of being inclusive in all that we do. As always, we appreciate all voices and welcome them to sit at the table as we discuss what is and isn’t appropriate for our libraries.”

email: jdaniels@newspress.com

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KENNETH SONG

NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Thomas Cole, founder of 805Analytics, talks in Montecito about “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, a graphic novel available in high school libraries in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. The book contains sexual content.

David Gergen

Sacre by Circa

Biden praises DeSantis for his leadership overseeing recovery efforts

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden praised Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his leadership in overseeing recovery efforts after the devastation created by Hurricane Ian.

After surveying areas damaged by the hurricane, President Biden met with the governor and state and local officials. At a news conference, he praised Gov. DeSantis’ management of recovery efforts, saying, “What the governor has done is pretty remarkable.”

While he and the governor have differed politically, he said, “Today, we have one job, and only one job. And that’s to make sure that people in Florida get everything that they need to fully, thoroughly recover.”

Despite criticism he’d received for not reaching out to Gov. DeSantis for days before and at the beginning of the storm, he claimed to be working in “lockstep” with him. He said, “We worked hand in glove, we have very different political philosophies, but we worked hand in glove. And he’s been on top of things related to dealing with this crisis. We’ve been completely lockstep.”

Gov. DeSantis also thanked the president, saying, “We were very fortunate to have good coordination with the White House and with FEMA from the very beginning of this,” noting that FEMA quickly approved a major disaster declaration and subsequent disaster funding has been made available to Florida.

FEMA also extended the time period to a total of 60 days for Florida to apply for 100% federal funding for damages caused by the hurricane.

Nearly 4,000 federal employees are helping with recovery efforts in Florida. Through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, more than 1,800 personnel from 26 states have deployed to Florida to assist with recovery efforts.

There have been 2,500 rescues made as of Wednesday, the governor’s office said, with more than 1,000 team members performing search and rescue. Safe and found persons can be

reported safe here.

As of Wednesday night, there are currently 298,820 reported power outages. Workers have restored power to nearly 2.4 million accounts statewide or 88.92% of accounts restored since the peak.

So far, more than $35 million has been donated to the Florida Disaster Fund to provide assistance to Floridians in need.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management has distributed more than 11.5 million MREs and 41 million bottles of water so far. It’s been working with volunteer kitchens throughout the state. On Tuesday, more than 410,800 people were served. Since the volunteer kitchens have been opened, more than 936,100 hot meals have been served.

Republicans push back against New York bank’s anti-firearm stance

By KIM JARRETT THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - U.S.

The Linda Lindas

Laird Hamilton in Conversation with Rory Kennedy

The

Carla Morrison

Senate Republicans are threatening to hold hearings on what they call an anti-firearms policy by one New York-based bank.

The Senators, led by Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, accused Amalgamated Bank of manipulating Switzerland’s International Organization for Standardization to require U.S. banks to categorize gun purchases.

“Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans,” the 26 senators wrote in their letter. “If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What’s worse, these actions weren’t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system.”

Amalgamated Bank lists 10 social causes on its website, which include gun safety and antiviolence. The bank does not loan money to “gun, nuclear weapon or ammunition manufacturers or distributors,” according to the website.

The banks should “expect Congressional oversight of your actions,” the Senators wrote.

“Let us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact farleft political goals is inexcusable,” the letter said. “You should consider this notice to retain

The Senators, led by Tom Cotton, RArkansas, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, accused Amalgamated Bank of manipulating Switzerland’s International Organization for Standardization to require U.S. banks to categorize gun purchases.

all communications involving your role in ISO’s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future.”

Amalgamated Bank did not respond to a request from The Center Square for comment Tuesday. President and CEO Priscilla Sims Brown called categorizing credit card gun purchases a “victory” in a statement last month.

“This action answers the call of millions of Americans who want safety from gun violence, and we are proud to lead a broad coalition of advocates, shareholders, and elected officials to achieve this historic outcome,” Ms. Brown said.

The attorneys general of New York and California also backed the decision for a separate category for credit card gun purchases.

“Categorizing gun sales can help us work with our partners in police departments to combat gun violence and save lives,” New York State Attorney General Letitia James said.

COURTESY PHOTOS

President Joe Biden

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Poll: Americans say grocery prices will affect their vote in November

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – High grocery prices are topof-mind for voters with a little over a month until the midterm elections, according to a new poll.

Convention of States Action, along with Trafalgar Group, released the poll, which found that 68.3% of surveyed voters say that the “increase in the price of groceries is impacting their motivation to vote in the 2022 election.”

The poll found 89.4% of Republicans agree, compared to 43.4% of Democrats.

Notably, 64.1% of Independent voters say higher grocery prices are impacting their motivation to vote in November.

Recently released federal inflation data shows that grocery prices have soared in the past year, far outpacing the already-high overall inflation rate.

“The food at home index rose 13.5 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 1979,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its latest release of consumer pricing data. “The index for other food at home rose 16.7 percent and the index for cereals and bakery

Energy insiders: Activists protesting against oil industry use products made possible by petroleum

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — At a recent charity event held by J.P. Morgan Chase in San Francisco, activists attempted to “take over” by protesting the financing of the oil and gas industry.

When doing so, they wore and used products only made possible by the industry, industry insiders note.

Stop The Money Pipeline, a coalition committed to stopping the flow of oil, claimed to take over “one of Chase’s largest events of the year to make it clear: World destroyers don’t get to have positive PR events.” They protested at a Chase Corporate Challenge, which organizes the world’s largest corporate running event.

The 3.5-mile-long race is held in 15 locations in eight countries to promote fitness and friendly competition. The beneficiary of the San Francisco race was Steph and Ayesha Curry’s “Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation,” which seeks to end childhood hunger and ensure students have access to a quality education and safe places to play.

The coalition argues, “If we stop the flow of money, we can stop the flow of oil.

“Since the Paris Agreement was adopted, Wall Street banks have provided $1.4 trillion to the fossil fuel industry. Big asset managers are the world’s largest investors in coal, oil, and gas,” it states on its website.

“The fossil fuel corporations driving the climate crisis depend on this support of the financial sector. That’s why we’re pushing banks, insurance companies and asset managers to end fossil financing. If we stop the flow of money, we stop the flow of oil.”

Activists protested riding in kayaks and holding signs stating, “Chase: Don’t run away. Stop funding climate chaos.” They wore signs stating, “crop failure,” “ocean acidification” and “ecocide.”

But everything they wore and the signs they held were made possible by the oil and natural gas industry, Midland-based Oil and Gas Workers Association board member Richard Welch told The Center Square.

“These protesters who are attempting to boycott fossil fuels are doing so while using the very products they’re hoping to end,” he said. “From the masks on their faces, to the vinyl signs their holding to the plastic poles and even their clothes – they are all made possible by the oil and natural gas industry.

“The ink, markers, reflective vests and eyewear they’re using were all made possible by the oil and gas industry. One could even make the assumption that the transportation they used to get to San Francisco and to the bank was made possible by fossil fuels. Even the kayaks they used were made by fossil fuels.”

Hoping to educate Americans about the value of the oil and natural gas industry, Mr. Welch said, “Fossil fuels are in every aspect of our lives.”

While the protestors claim fossil fuels create “crop failure,” Mr. Welch points out, “Most of the crops we eat, from wheat to corn to a range of vegetables are harvested by farmers using tractors. Those tractors run on diesel, not windmill juice.”

Western Energy Alliance also maintains that climate change policies don’t account for thousands of products Americans use on a daily basis derived from petroleum. These include the computers, phones, access to the Internet, roads and means of transportation, which Stop The Money Pipeline protestors use.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, products derived from petroleum include transportation fuels, fuel oils for heating and electricity generation, asphalt and road oil, and components for making the chemicals, plastics and synthetic materials that are used in nearly all products on the market.

To put this in perspective, one 42-gallon barrel of oil creates 19.4 gallons of gasoline. The remainder is used to make more than 6,000 products ranging from electronics to luggage to office supplies and computer chips.

Commercial and residential products such as paint and paint brushes, floor wax, safety glasses, linoleum, caulking, roofing, curtains, fertilizer, tires, mops, rugs, toilet seats, pillows, upholstery, refrigerators, dishwasher parts, are

products increased 16.4 percent over the year. The remaining major grocery store food groups posted increases ranging from 9.4 percent (fruits and vegetables) to 16.2 percent (dairy and related products).”

In fact, food prices have risen at the fastest rate in decades.

“The food at home index rose 13.5 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 1979,” BLS said.

Rising costs of food are on the minds of many voters heading to the ballot box in November.

“This data reveals that skyrocketing grocery prices are really starting to hit Americans hard, even beyond the initial pinch they have been feeling due to surging inflation,” said Mark Meckler, president of the Convention of States. “Election observers are constantly looking for that one, top of mind issue that is affecting the mood – ultimately the decisions – of the electorate, and when almost 70% of voters indicate they are mad enough about food prices that it makes them more likely to vote, that’s a real-time indicator that it’s an issue which has risen to that status.”

The poll queried more than 1,000 likely voters from Sept. 17th through Sept. 20th.

States deploy about 2,500 National Guard troops to border

By CHRISTIAN WADE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — Nearly two dozen states are sending National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to help federal immigration officials grapple with an unprecedented surge of illegal migrants.

The deployments, which were requested by the U.S. Department of Defense, call for up to 2,500 National Guard members from Republican-led states like Kentucky, South Carolina and Arkansas, as well as Democratic-led states such as Rhode Island and Illinois.

The troops were requested by the DOD to assist the U.S. Border Patrol in dealing with a surge of illegal trafficking of people, weapons and drugs into the country. The troops will work only in support missions, a Defense Department spokesman said, and are prohibited under federal law from detaining illegal migrants or others caught crossing into the United States illegally.

Other states sending troops include Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, DOD officials said.

Several other states – Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Washington – will be providing National Guard aviation support for border operations, according to the department. The U.S. Virgin Islands has also committed National Guard troops to the mission, which is being overseen by the U.S. Northern Command.

For the Biden administration, the deployments are similar to those used by former President Donald Trump to deal with a surge of illegal immgration during his presidency.

In 2018, President Trump deployed National Guard troops from several states to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the southern border. In a presidential memorandum, the Republican cited a “drastic surge of illegal activity on the southern border” threatening national security.

Unlike Mr. Trump, President Biden doesn’t appear to have issued any statements on the deployments, leaving it up to states to make announcements about commitments of National Guard troops.

In New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said more than 160 National Guard soldiers from the 941st Military Police Battalion and 237th Military Police Company will be dispatched for a one-year mission to conduct surveillance and support other U.S. troops on the ground along a 250-mile section of the southern border.

Gov. Sununu said the troops – which were deployed to the border in 2020 and 2021 under similar orders – are needed to deal with “the ongoing humanitarian crisis along our southern border.”

The U.S. Border Patrol has apprehended migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border more than 1.8 million times since October, breaking previous records, according to the agency. The Center Square, through its sources, reported in August the number of illegal entries is nearly 5 million since President Biden began to occupy the White House in January 2020.

Roughly half of those immigrants were expelled under Title 42, a federal public health order that has been in place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hundreds of thousands more migrants have been allowed to seek asylum and other protections in the United States, according to immigration officials.

Republican governors in Texas and Arizona have criticized the Biden administration’s response to the surge.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster last year in response to the higher volume of unlawful border crossings at the Southwest border, and he has directed state and local police to ramp up arrests of unauthorized immigrants. Gov. Abbott has also deployed thousands of National Guard troops along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Groups that support tougher immigration restrictions say the deployment of the National Guard troops will help overburdened federal agenies deal with the surge of illegal immigration.

“It will definitely be helpful to have more boots on the ground there, because the border patrol is absolutely overwhelmed,” said Jessica Vaughn, director of policy studies at the Washington D.C.based Center for Immigration Studies. “One of the biggest security problems is that federal officials are so distracted dealing with migrants that the border is totally unguarded.”

Mr. Vaughn said the Biden administration’s response to the “historic” surge of migrants has been “totally inadequate” and border states are bearing the brunt of the illegal crossings.

“It’s clear from the Biden administration’s response that they are not interested in stopping the influx of illegal immigrants,” she said. “They have many tools at their disposal that they could be using to put a stop to the illegal crossings, but they have not done that.”

Extraordinary Educator 2022

Down Syndrome Association honors Dos Pueblos culinary arts teacher

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER

When it comes to inclusion, Teri Ingram is a master chef.

Chef Ingram, who has taught culinary arts for 11 years at Dos Pueblos High School, started a Coffee Cart and the SpEd Café at the Goleta school, where students work on life skills identified in their Individual Education Plans. She also is involved with a camp every summer for kids with disabilities.

The Ojai resident’s dedication to education and inclusion got the attention of the Down Syndrome Association of Santa Barbara County, which named Chef Ingram the recipient of the Extraordinary Educator 2022 Award.

The award was announced Oct. 1 at the nonprofit’s 11th annual Hoedown at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Chef Ingram wasn’t able to attend due to a recent surgery, but was praised at the museum. The award goes to recipients for their outstanding work with individuals with Down syndrome and others

with special needs.

Chef Ingram told the NewsPress it feels good to receive the award.

“I love my job, and I feel this is where I am supposed to be,” she said.

“I do a camp every summer for kids with disabilities,” Chef Ingram said. “I have a place near and dear in my heart for special needs. This is a skill where students can go out and have a job and keep a job. It’s really an honor to be able to help these kids do that.

“I think it (the award) means that I am doing something right in showing the love that I have for these children in a positive way,” Chef Ingram said. “It makes you feel like you are making a difference in a students’ life, even if it’s just one student. That’s a pretty good feeling.”

Chef Ingram has worked in culinary arts for more than 40 years and has run major chain restaurants including Ponderosa, Bonanza, Nature’s Table Cafe and Freshens Yogurt.

Chef Ingram said she loves the creativity behind cooking: “I love baking, cake decorating, making

creative things and baking for other people. Students also have the opportunity to earn service hours when they help me bake for different events. I really, really enjoy what I do.”

She added that she “absolutely” loves teaching culinary arts.

“I love knowing that my kids aren’t eating ramen noodles when they go off to college,” she said.

Chef Ingram joins an other past “Extraordinary Educator” recipients, such as Goleta Union School District’s adaptive physical education teacher Michael Galvan, El Camino School’s Linda Sparkuhl, Brandon School’s Jackie Zaida, Alpha Resource Center’s Amy Buesker, special education/ transition teacher Cindy Rief, Goleta Valley Junior High School special education teacher Cameron Stewart, Brandon School’s Laura Herrera and Peabody Charter School’s Danelle Hurtdao.

“I am thankful for the award, and I hope that it can encourage other people to take my class and learn a skill and enjoy what I do,” said Chef Ingram.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Chef Teri Ingram, who teaches culinary arts at Dos Pueblos High School, has been named the Extraordinary Educator for 2022 by the Down Syndrome Association of Santa Barbara County.

Three members join TVSB board of directors

TV Santa Barbara, the region’s community media access center since 1975, has added James Joyce III, Justin Gunn and David Hefferman to its board of directors.

In addition, TVSB announces the continuation of the Executive Council with Meighann Helene as board chair, Tracy Beard as treasurer and Michael Mongold as secretary.

These three new board members along with the Executive Council join Dean Noble, Regina Ruiz, Laura Treat, Gary Dobbins, Rebecca Brand and Courtney Frazier as the nonprofit’s stewards.

“David, James, and Justin are great additions to an already outstanding diverse and talented board,” said Ms. Helene. “Each member brings something unique to our organization, and we are very excited to welcome these new members to our growing team. As we approach our 50th anniversary, we are continually looking for ways to better serve our community, and I know the contributions of our new members will be sure to support these efforts.”

Mr. Joyce III is the founder and chief visionary officer of “Coffee With A Black Guy,” in which he facilitates conversations about race and perspective for local organizations.

He is a former award-winning journalist and a runner up in the 2021 Santa Barbara mayoral election.

For much of the past decade, Mr. Joyce served as district director for state Sen. HannahBeth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, who represented nearly 1 million constituents within Santa Barbara and Ventura counties until terming out in December 2020. Before working in the public service sector, Mr. Joyce, a Maryland native, served as a newspaper journalist in several diverse communities across the country, covering subjects varying from education to crime and local politics.

Mr. Gunn got his start in television production at age 14 at his local public access station, BHTV, in Beverly Hills. That experience helped launch what became a 30-plus year career in television news and documentary production as a reporter, anchor and producer at MTV, Channel One, Inside Edition, American

Journal, CNET, Food Network and Fox.

He later served as a founding executive and producer at the Emmy-winning Current TV, where he led the Viewer Created Content division and online programming, both initiatives centered on empowering audience members to participate in the creation of the network’s content.

Mr. Hefferman, a senior broadcast and digital account executive at KEYT, is also a former radio morning show host, news and public affairs director, marketing director and television weatherman.

“I am honored and excited to be a member of the TVSB board,” he said. “TVSB is a vital information and cultural link to

the community.”

Ms. Helene has served on the board since 2015, previously holding the role of treasurer. An internationally recognized video producer and artist-in-residence at the Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science and Technology, she is a cognitive scientist serving as a business technology leader on the IBM Client Engineering team

She has a long track record supporting STEAM in the community and is currently serving as Fishbon’s Board Treasurer.

“We are excited to see the continued growth of the TV Santa Barbara board as we progress through an exciting time in community television,” said Erik Davis, executive director of TV

Santa Barbara. “Adding three new members with a deep background in the local community and in media will help us lift up local voices and air programming that is most relevant to the lives of our families, friends and neighbors.”

TV Santa operates two community access television channels, 17 and 71. With studios at 329 S. Salinas St. in Santa Barbara, TVSB provides members with access to video production equipment and electronic media resources to facilitate public dialogue, free speech and participatory democracy, according to a news release.

For more information, visit www.tvsb.tv.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

Hawaiian band Kanekoa to perform at SOhO

SANTA BARBARA — The Hawaiian band Kanekoa will play its electric ukuleles at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St., suite 205, Santa Barbara.

For 25 years, audiences have enjoyed the band’s original songs and covers. Kanekoa plays music varying from traditional Hawaiian to 1980s pop to the blues.

Kaneka recently graced the cover of Ukulele Magazine and was referred to as “Hawaiian Trailblazers.”

Vince Esquire, who plays the lead ukulele, was invited to play with with the Allman Brothers Band.

Joining the band at SOhO is a guest, percussionist Lopaka Colon.

Tickets cost $20 in advance and $22 (cash only) at the door. To purchase, go to www.sohosb. com.

For dinner reservations, call SOhO at 805-962-7776. The concert is open for all ages. For more about Kaneoka, visit kanekoa.live.com.

— Dave Mason

Santa Maria Library offers workshop, Filipino history packs

SANTA

during the workshop, or patrons can bring their own.

To attend the program, register at the calendar at www.cityofsantamaria.org/library or call 805-925-0994.

starting Saturday, include supplies to create a Philippine Jeepney 3D paper craft, a snack and resources to learn about the rich history of Filipino Americans and impacts made on the Central Coast.

The library is located at

S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Included will

Office Suite, such as

The library will provide laptops for use

In addition, the library is celebrating Filipino American History by providing history packs for youth ages 6 to12. Packs, which can be picked up at any branch

For more information, call the library at 805-925-0994, ext. 8564.

—Marilyn McMahon

Sea shell association to host wine tastings, yacht tours

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association’s 38th annual Wine Tasting & Yacht Tours Fundraiser will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Marina One in the Santa Barbara Harbor.

It’s the association’s first wine tasting and yacht tours benefit since 2019.

Those attending will taste vintages from local wineries and breweries,and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and sausages (paired with the beers). Attendees also will tour

motorized and sailing yachts and meet their owners.

There will also be silent auction items.

Fireworks will take place at 7 p.m. that day to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Stearns Wharf.

The Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association (www.sbssa.org) is a nonprofit founded in 1948 for the sailing education of children ages 8–15. The annual wine tasting event is its only fundraiser.

The funds raised provide for maintenance and operation of the nonprofit’s two safety boats, educational materials, acknowledgments and awards, and other operating expenses.

Tickets cost $80. To purchase, go to sbssa. org/wine-yacht-gala. A custom engraved wine glass comes with each ticket.

COURTESY PHOTOS

At top left is Justin Gunn; top right, James Joyce III; bottom left, David Herfferman; bottom right, Meighann Helene. The men recently joined the TV Santa Barbara board of directors. Ms. Helene is the board chair.

COURTESY PHOTO

Kaneka is a ukulele band that embraces everything from traditional Hawaiian music to 1980s pop to the blues.

Diversions

Thought for Today

and better.

Horoscope.com

ARIES — It’s one thing to be a friend and it’s another to feed someone’s ego just to make him or her happy, Aries. Make sure that you aren’t telling someone lies just because you know that that is what he or she wants to hear. A true friend is someone who is honest at all times, even if it means that you may temporarily hurt that person’s feelings.

TAURUS — It’s critical that you not try to gain the love and appreciation of another by controlling their decisions, Taurus. It’s time to let the people around you set their own rules and boundaries. Give that special person space to decide what’s best, then you can take action accordingly.

GEMINI — You might need to put on the brakes today when it comes to love and romance, Gemini. Don’t think that this means you have to break off any sort relationship that’s in the works but realize that you may need to take a more realistic approach to how you handle it. The problem is that you may be getting so caught up in the fantasy of things that you aren’t tending to practicalities.

CANCER — Things should be going quite well for you today, Cancer, and you will find that aspects of your life that may have felt disconnected in the past are finally slipping into place. Have faith that all your painstaking planning and organizing is finally going to pay off. This is especially true in love and romance. Spend intimate time with a close partner tonight if possible.

LEO — Restriction and discipline might not be your forte, Leo, but realize that this may be exactly the type of thing that you need the most. Try not to expend your energy in too many directions. Focus and channel your efforts into the things you consider the most important. Make sure that most of your day is spent tending to these things.

VIRGO — Appreciate the good things you have today, Virgo. Don’t let another day go by without really paying homage to the people who’ve helped you grow along the way. Take a walk. Climb a tree or help a child build a tree house. Connect with your spiritual side that finds satisfaction in where you are now instead of always feeling a need to search for something bigger

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

LIBRA — When it comes to matters of love and romance, you may need to tone things down a bit, Libra. An aggressive approach now may drive your loved one further away from you instead of drawing him or her closer. Remember that love is a two-way street. Don’t just do things the way you’d like to do them.

SCORPIO — You may find that your love is incredibly magnetic now, Scorpio. All you need to do is be yourself and suddenly people flock your way. There are terrific opportunities for you to strengthen the bonds you have with the people you care about the most. Solidify your relationship with soft romantic words and actions.

SAGITTARIUS — Consider taking a more conservative approach to your actions today, Sagittarius, as well as to the way you dress. Others may be rather put off by something that comes across as too flashy. Fashion is apt to be a significant concern for you now, which is fine. Don’t underestimate the power of personal appearance.

CAPRICORN — Romantic relationships may not exactly be going as well as you’d like, Capricorn, but don’t get discouraged. Hang in there and you will find that things eventually come around your way. You may need to strengthen your internal sense of confidence, since it’s doubtful that you will get much support from interactions with the people around you.

AQUARIUS — It could be that you’re trying to communicate with someone in a matter regarding love and romance and it simply isn’t working. You’re apt to feel like you need a translator in order to get your message across. Both you and your partner need to share responsibility for making sure that the lines of communication remain open.

PISCES — This is a fantastic time for you for love and romance, Pisces, even if there’s a bit of coolness between you and the person you care about. It’s possible that there needs to be an element of distance now for you to really appreciate the good thing you have. If you aren’t involved with someone now, you should find that you’re in a good position to make a move toward someone you feel strongly about.

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

and a word in English in each of the

and vertical runs on the

E ByDavidL.HoytandJeffKnurek

THATSCRAMBL

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

— Milton Berle

Candidate wants to attract new employers, encourage small business expansion

well-being of your constituents,” he said.

good-paying jobs are making it difficult for our city to reach its full potential,” he said. “I know we can do better.

“I’ve dedicated my life and career to our community as a volunteer, youth mentor and small business owner,” Mr. Funkhouser said. “It is this experience coupled with my overall passion for the city of Santa Maria that has underlined my decision to take my desire to serve one step further and run for city council.”

Mr. Funkhouser explained how his career has prepared him for Santa Maria City Council.

“As a city councilmember, your top priorities should always be the safety and

“I’m a long-time board member for Fighting Back Santa Maria and chairman of the Elks Youth Program. The Santa Maria Police Officers’ Association has endorsed my campaign because they know I’m the only candidate in this race committed to providing our men and women in uniform with the resources needed to protect our community and fight rising crime rates.

“Additionally, this position is all about serving those you represent, and service is something in which I’m extremely familiar,” Mr. Cole said. “As a small business owner and human resources specialist, I’ve dedicated my professional career to serving my customers and protecting my colleagues. This is exactly what I plan to do when I am elected to the council.”

Mr. Funkhouser’s goals include working with public safety leaders to decrease crime and keep families safe, and addressing homelessness and mental health issues through regional collaboration. He added he wants to improve recreational facilities to accommodate the needs of a growing community.

And Mr. Funkhouser said he wants to support job opportunities by attracting new employers and incentivizing small business expansion.

“Santa Maria is the fastest-growing community in Santa Barbara County, and this growth has been accompanied by issues: specifically crime,” Mr. Funkhouser said. “Rural crime, murder rates, robberies and assaults are far above the national average, and my opponent has aligned herself with the ‘defund the police’

movement while voting against commonsense reforms that would have made our city a safer place for all residents.

“These actions are contrary to the primary role of government and an elected representative,” Mr. Funkhouser said. “Our safety will always be my top priority.”

“I am running for Santa Maria City Council because I want to further my commitment to a city that I have, and will always, call home,” Mr. Funkhouser said.

“I have no desire to use this position as an opportunity to run for higher office.

“I want to protect and embrace the history and culture of our region and increase economic opportunities for working-class families.”

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Project is first of 12 Clean California-funded beautification projects

HIGHWAY

sitting on a 7-acre parcel — 3.5 acres of that is a park.”

He said the $1.3 million Chumash Museum Highway Beautification Project in Santa Ynez will be “an excellent complement” to the museum,

which is scheduled to open next year.

The highway beautification project involves native plant landscaping, an upgrade to irrigation using recycled water, decorative crosswalks for pedestrians and bicyclists, and improved directional signage. The work is scheduled to be completed by June 2023.

The project is the first of 12 Clean California-funded beautification projects on the Central Coast to break ground.

“As we drive along, walk along, bike along, we’ll see cleaner highways,” state Sen. Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara, said during the ceremony.

Sen. Limón noted that it takes community engagement to obtain

state funds such as those in the Clean California program. “I’m grateful to the Chumash for being involved and saying, ‘We want to be part of beautifying the highway.’ ”

Tim Gubbins, the Caltrans 5 district director, noted those benefitting from the project will include students at nearby Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

“It’ll make it more walkable and attractive to them as well.”

Mr. Gubbins also noted he’s proud to coordinate with local partners such as the Chumash tribe to beautify busy and scenic State Route 246.

Mr. Kahn noted the partnership with Caltrans is resulting in transportation improvements that will enhance visitors’ experience when the museum opens.

“We want to send a big thank you to Gov. (Gavin) Newsom and all those who supported his administration’s Clean California program,” Mr. Kahn said. “The $1.1 billion program is certainly making a difference in communities across California.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

Man allegedly had more than 16,000 fentanyl pills

PLEA

psilocybin mushrooms, three grams of cocaine and hundreds of acid tabs.

Mr. Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of narcotics for sales, all felonies.

In his affidavit justifying the original federal criminal complaint, arrest warrant and search warrants against Mr. Hernandez, DEA Special Agent Roger Chaney Jr. said Mr. Hernandez possessed more than 16,000 pills containing fentanyl (including wrappings and/or containers), a variety of other controlled substances and a digital scale in his bedroom and in the backyard of his house when he was arrested.

The search warrants also applied to three iPhones confiscated by detectives, which Agent Chaney said contained evidence of drug sales carried out by Mr. Hernandez.

He said the defendant told detectives that all the drugs they found did not belong to him and that he was just holding them for another individual.

email: nhartstein@newspress.com

Industry experts: Stopping flow of oil would be catastrophic

cortisone, and artificial limbs. None would be possible without petroleum, those in the industry point out.

all made from petroleum, the alliance points out. So are healthrelated products like rubbing alcohol, aspirin, medicine, heart valves, medical devices, bandages, anesthetics, surgical masks, dentures, antiseptics, hand sanitizers, antihistamines,

When asked at a recent House Financial Services Committee hearing if Chase had a policy against funding new oil and gas products, its CEO, Jamie Dimon, replied, “Absolutely not. That would be the road to hell for America.”

The Biden administration’s

RUSSO, Alma Anna Tabacchi

plan to tax and increase fees on the industry will only cause the cost of these products to go up, the alliance has argued. Stopping the flow of oil would bring nearly every aspect of society, on a global scale, to a halt, industry experts maintain.

Stop The Money Pipeline is a project of 350.org, a Brooklynbased 501(c)(3) organization. It calls for revoking the “social

license” of the fossil fuel industry and taking “money out of the companies that are heating up the planet,” according to its website. It’s received funding from San Francisco-based Tides Foundation, as well as from groups linked to billionaire George Soros, the Washington Free Beacon has reported, in addition to numerous funds and foundations.

SANTA

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

The 15,000-square foot Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is nearing completion and is scheduled to open next year.