Santa Barbara News-Press: April 17, 2023

Still tied at the top

UCSB softball splits doubleheader with Long Beach State, remain tied atop Big West standings - A3

‘All Hands on Deck’

Jack Harwood named Spirit Of Fiesta

Santa Barbara City College student is first man to win the honor; Olivia Nelson is Junior Spirit

Accessory in 2019 stabbing to be sentenced in May

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

An admitted active participant in Santa Barbara’s Westside gang will appear in court next month to be sentenced for her role in the June 2019 stabbing death of a Santa Barbara restaurant worker believed to be an associate of a rival crosstown street gang.

Adelain Leilani Ibarra, 23, pleaded guilty in June 2020 to being an accessory to the early morning slaying of Alberto Torres just yards from his home on the 1300 block of Cacique Street after he walked there following his restaurant shift.

She was scheduled to be sentenced on April 12, but the hearing was continued until May 24, prosecutors said.

Ms. Ibarra is one of three admitted active participants in the Westside gang who were charged with being an accessory to murder.

The other two are Alondra Ochoa, 21, and Alejandro DeLaTorre, 26, both of whom also pleaded guilty in June 2020 to being accessories. And Ms. Ochoa admitted enhancements, including a second strike allegation, prosecutors said.

Ms. Ochoa got six years in prison, and Mr. DeLaTorre got five years in prison, prosecutors said. There were two defendants charged with the murder of Mr. Torres.

One of them, Igor Ortiz, pleaded guilty in December to first-degree murder. He also admitted to being an active participant in the Westside gang, and that he used a knife to commit the premeditated murder in association with members of the criminal street gang for the gang’s benefit.

Mr. Ortiz, 22, was sentenced Feb. 8 to 25 years to life in state prison.

The only defendant who still maintains his innocence is Angel Rafael Barajasflores Jr., 35, who like Mr. Ortiz, is charged with murder.

“He has been accused of being an active participant in the gang and of committing the crimes for the benefit of the gang,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Tate McAllister said.

According to prosecutors, the homicide occurred in the early morning hours of June 1, 2019.

A special circumstance filed against Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Barajasflores alleged they killed Mr. Torres “while lying in wait.” “Just yards from his home, Mr. Torres was attacked by Mr. Ortiz and an accomplice (Mr. Barajasflores),” prosecutors said in their Dec. 28 news release.

“During the attack, Mr. Ortiz and his accomplice repeatedly stabbed Mr. Torres, killing him.”

“As was presented in prior public hearings on this case, there is reason to believe the victim was associated with the rival Eastside gang,” Mr. McAllister said. Like Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Barajasflores faces special allegations that he used a knife to carry out the attack, and that he engaged in “street terrorism.”

Mr. Barajasflores has pleaded not guilty to murder and the special circumstances and allegations filed against him.

He now faces a murder trial, and is due back in court on May 17 for a status conference, prosecutors said.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Jack Harwood made history Saturday as the first man to be named the Spirit of Fiesta.

Mr. Harwood, 18, won during the audition performances before judges and an audience at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. He will appear as the Spirit of Fiesta at various public functions leading up to and including Old Spanish Days, which will celebrate its 99th anniversary Aug. 2-6.

“This is something I have been preparing myself for a really long time,” Mr. Harwood told the News-Press Saturday after being named the Spirit of Fiesta. “This is always something I have aspired to be a part of. It’s an indescribable feeling about what I’m experiencing right now. This is something I have been aspiring to do for a long time.

“This is my third year trying out, and it means the world,” he said.

Mr. Harwood is studying kinesiology at Santa Barbara City College.

Also on Saturday, Olivia Nelson, 9, was named the Junior Spirit after impressing judges during the Lobero auditions.

Olivia is a fourth grader at Roosevelt Elementary School. The school is a short distance from the Santa Barbara Mission, where Olivia and Mr. Harwood will perform dances during La Fiesta Pequeña on Aug. 2.

Olivia talked to the News-Press Saturday after the judges named her Junior Spirit at the Lobero Theatre.

“It feels really good,” Olivia said. “This is only my third year dancing and first year trying out. I saw two of my friends win the title, and that made me want to try out for the title.”

The original Spirit of Fiesta was Lia Parker, who was the Spirit of Fiesta from 1949-51. Competing Saturday at the Lobero were the 12 finalists for the Spirit of Fiesta and 10 finalists for the Junior Spirit. The runner up for the Spirit of Fiesta is Isabella Ricci,

and runner-up for the Junior Spirit is Aubrey Romero.

“All of our finalists should be very proud of their accomplishments and performances today,” said El Presidente David Bolton.

Tara Mata, the 2022 Spirit of Fiesta, addressed the Lobero audience during her farewell speech.

“I can’t believe a year has passed since I danced on this Lobero stage, and what a year it has been,” Miss Mata said. “My time as 2022 Spirit of Fiesta has given me so many memories and lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I am so grateful to have been able to represent Old Spanish Days and our community, which is so supportive and festive.”

Layla Gocong, the 2022 Junior Spirit of

SBHS HVAC upgrades to provide heat, AC more efficiently

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara Unified School District board recently approved a $3 million-plus project to improve heating and air conditioning at Santa Barbara High School.

The project will be paid for with Measure I 2016 funds. It will include heating, air conditioning, and roofing repairs for the 60s, 70s and 80s wings.

Work on the $3,158,680 project will begin in the summer of 2024, according to the school district.

install a new heating system in the wings. The estimated cost of this project was $1.5 million with Routine Restricted Maintenance funding.

During the discovery phase of the project, it was determined that individual heating units for each classroom would be the most cost-effective way to restore heat to the classrooms, according to the school district. This would require the construction of a closet in each room to house the units.

Fiesta, also gave a speech.

“It is a great honor to stand here on the same stage one year later and say farewell and thank you as the 2022 Junior Spirit of Fiesta,” Layla said. “Boy, did my time fly by! …

“Becoming Junior Spirit was a whirlwind and one of the most exciting years yet,” she said. “The people of Santa Barbara really showed up this year ready to Fiesta, and so was I.”

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

The need for a new heating system started in the spring of 2022 when it failed in the 60s, 70s and 80s wings. The units were more than 50 years old and can’t be repaired because parts are no longer available, according to the school district.

Portable electric heaters have been provided for each classroom in these wings while a long-term fix was worked on.

On July 25, 2022, the board approved a proposal from Kruger Bensen Ziemer Architects, Inc. for a design to

However, the district looked into the options and recommended installing heat pumps on the roof, which would also provide efficient air conditioning for the classrooms.

“Every year, we see the need for air conditioning growing in our schools as we see more hot summer days,” Dr. Hilda Maldonado, superintendent, said in a news release. “This option will provide Santa Barbara High School with efficient heating and air conditioning that will be better for the environment while saving the district money.”

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Newly-minted Spirit of Fiesta Jack Harwood and Junior Spirit of Fiesta Olivia Nelson are recognized at the conclusion of auditions at the Lobero Theatre in Downtown Santa Barbara on Saturday. Mr. Harwood is the first man to be named Spirit of Fiesta.

The soon-to-be Spirit and Junior Spirit performed before a sold-out crowd at the event.

Dozens of kites took to the air from attendees at the Santa Barbara Kite Festival at Santa Barbara City College on Sunday.

Taking to the skies

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER Goleta to hold economic development forum

Motorcyclist injured in Hwy. 154 crash

SANTA YNEZ — A motorcycle rider was injured Sunday afternoon after two vehicles struck his motorcycle on Highway 154 at Foxen Canyon Road, county fire officials said.

The accident occurred at 2:39 p.m.

A bystander performed CPR on the male motorcycle rider, officials said.

The patient was transported by ground ambulance with a fire paramedic to Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital.

No other injuries were reported.

The accident remains under investigation.

— Neil Hartstein

Man arrested for allegedly making threats with a gun

SANTA MARIA – Santa Maria Police patrol officers, responding to a report of a subject with a firearm in the 700 block of E. Meehan Street, investigated and determined a suspect had pointed a firearm at two adult victims at close range and threatened to kill them.

Thirty-year-old Santa Maria area resident Eric Locksley was determined to be the suspect with the firearm in this incident.

Patrol officers were on scene on Friday around 12:20 p.m. Detectives subsequently took over the investigation that resulted in arrest and search warrants being issued for Locksley and his residence.

At about 3 a.m. Saturday, detectives, with the assistance of the Santa Maria Police Department’s SWAT Team, served search and arrest warrants at a residence in the 1100 block of Hilltop Drive.

Mr. Locksley and an acquaintance, 30-year-old Rafael Lua Valencia, were both arrested during the warrant service operation.

Mr. Locksley was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats charges. Mr. Valencia was booked on an outstanding felony warrant for resisting a police officer out of Yuba County.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Santiago at (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 1362 or the SMPD Communications Center (805) 928 - 3781 ext. 2277.

Neil Hartstein

—

GOLETA – The city of Goleta is developing a Five-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan.

A review of the draft plan will take place during a community forum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Goleta City Council chambers, in-person at 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, and via Zoom. The city of Goleta said it welcomes the community’s input.

The plan outlines strategies such as improving city government support

of local businesses and investing in streetscape infrastructure in Old Town, with the goal of attracting and growing businesses, creating and retaining jobs, and making the community a better place, according to the city.

The city released a survey last fall to gather input and ideas from businesses, nonprofits, organizations, residents, visitors, and everyone who has a stake in the economic future of Goleta. The city said the feedback from the survey was incorporated into the draft plan. For more information, email Ryan Kintz, assistant to the city manager, at rkintz@cityofgoleta.org.

– Katherine Zehnder

Bill aims to increase women in police force, their retention and promotion

By VICTOR SKINNER THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Two Democrats in Congress from North Carolina are working to boost the number of women in law enforcement, which they predict will improve outcomes for crime victims.

Reps. Deborah Ross and Valerie Foushee unveiled their Supporting Women with Career Opportunities in Policing Services Act in Durham this week. Reps. Ross and Foushee were joined by police chiefs Patrice Andrews of Durham, Estella Patterson of Raleigh and Celisa Lehew of Chapel Hill among others.

“Across the country, women only make up 12% of full-time police officers, a statistic that has not changed in more than two decades,” Rep. Ross said.

“Despite this, we know that when more women serve in law enforcement, law enforcement departments are more

effective and better support their communities.”

The Supporting Women COPS Act aims to incentivize more women to join law enforcement by addressing hiring practices Ross and Fouschee say are biased, and by establishing standards for female officer retention and promotion. The bill would establish a task force on women in law enforcement to make recommendations on hiring standards that do not disadvantage based on sex, and female officer retention and advancement. Other aspects of the legislation would offer a 5% funding increase as an incentive to hire more women.

“Women are underrepresented in law enforcement, and the Supporting Women COPS Act will ensure that our law enforcement agencies have officers that reflect the people and communities they serve,” Rep. Foushee

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SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

UCSB softball splits doubleheader with Long Beach State to stay tied atop Big West standings

By NICK MATHEY UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The UCSB softball team (23-12, 10-4 Big West) took full advantage of three Long Beach State errors in the first game to win 6-3. In the second game, Long Beach State held the Gaucho offense at bay allowing just two hits.

GAME ONE: GAUCHOS 6, BEACH 3

A tight ballgame through the first three innings of play saw Long Beach State have the upper hand early pushing two runs across and taking a 2-1 lead through three innings.

After holding Beach scoreless in the fourth UCSB plated three runs to take a 4-2 lead in the fourth. The first three batters of the inning for the Gauchos reached base safely. Lucy Mogan singled, followed by a Korie Thomas triple. Unfortunately, Mogan was thrown out at home plate. That did not stop the offense as Sam Denehy delivered a single to tie the game at two runs apiece.

After a flyout, Ashley Donaldson homered to right field to give UCSB the lead and all the momentum. Both teams were held scoreless in the fifth before Long Beach scored in the sixth to cut into the Gaucho lead. UCSB responded with two runs

of their own off an Alexa Sams double and a throwing error brought pinch runner, Makayla Newsom, home.

Camryn Snyder pitched a gem in the win. The junior threw a complete game, scattering eight hits and allowing three runs while striking out three.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 0, BEACH 5

Game two was a different story for the Gaucho offense. UCSB produced just two hits, both coming off the bat of Madelyn McNally.

Shannon Haddad of Long Beach State kept the Gauchos

guessing all afternoon as she threw a complete game shutout. Long Beach State plated a run in the second to take an early lead, before posting two more runs in the fifth. Long Beach State added two insurance runs in the seventh to take a 5-0 victory. A lead-off double in the bottom half of the seventh gave the Gauchos some life, but that was all they could produce as Haddad put down the next three hitters to preserve the 5-0 lead for Long Beach.

Nick Mathey writes about sports for UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

Snyder scores six as UCSB women’s water polo rolls past Titans

By ERIC BOOSE UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The No. 10 UCSB women’s water polo team (18-9, 2-4 Big West) made their first-ever visit to Cal State Fullerton (11-18, 0-6 Big West) on Saturday and cruised to victory against the Titans, 16-8. Caitlyn Snyder scored a hat-trick in the first half, then scored three more in the second half for a six-goal day. The redshirt senior added an assist to finish with a gamehigh seven points.

The Gauchos came out hot on Saturday, scoring seven of their 16 goals in the first eight minutes of the match, including a pair of scores from Emily Ferguson in the final

28 seconds of the first quarter. UCSB never trailed on the day and held an 11-4 advantage when the halftime buzzer sounded. Caitlyn Snyder ended the first half on a scoring tear, tallying three goals in the final three and a half minutes before the break.

Cal State Fullerton scored the first two goals of the second half, but UCSB responded with two more goals from Snyder, and led 13-7 heading into the fourth quarter. Snyder completed her second hat-trick of the game in the fourth quarter, and Sarah Owens put the icing on the cake with the Gauchos’ 16th goal of the day before the final buzzer sounded.

Taylor McEvilly made her first appearance in goal since March 3, splitting time in the cage

with Madison Walker. Walker made three saves in her 14 minutes, and McEvilly made two in her 18 minutes. McEvilly also added an assist.

UP NEXT

The Gauchos have one match left in the 2023 regular season, as they will travel to La Jolla next weekend for a showdown with UC San Diego on April 22. The game is set to start at noon, and will be live on ESPN+, with live stats available through ucsbgauchos.com.

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

Westmont baseball splits doubleheader with Mustangs

By RON SMITH WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER

Westmont Baseball (34-8, 17-4

GSAC), ranked 11th in the NAIA, will enter the last weekend of the regular season with a one game lead over sixth-ranked Hope International (27-7, 16-5) after splitting with The Master’s (27-13, 11-10) in Saturday’s doubleheader.

The Warriors won the first game 14-9 to clinch the series victory, but fell in the second game 2-0. Westmont and Hope International will both finish the season with road games to Arizona. The Warriors will play a three-game series at Ottawa (1424-1, 6-14-1) beginning on Friday while the Royals will take on the Firestorm of #25 Arizona Christian (26-17, 11-10).

In Saturday’s early game, Chase Goddard improved to 7-1 on the season despite giving up eight runs on nine hits in five and one-third innings of play. Sean Youngerman gave the Warriors two innings of work, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three. Aidan Holly finished up the game for the Warriors, pitching one and two-third scoreless innings. Holly retired all five batters he faced, striking out three.

Westmont scored in seven of the nine innings. In the top of the first, the Warriors put up a two on the scoreboard courtesy of a two-RBI single to left by Ryan DeSaegher that drove in Robbie Haw and Brady Renck. DeSaegher went three for six at the plate with five RBIs and a run scored.

The Warriors added two more in the second, the first on an infield single by Trey Dunn that drove in Shane Hofstadler from third and the second on an RBI fielder’s choice that scored Michael Soper.

Hofstadler’s solo home run in the third inning put the Warriors up five runs to four - a lead they did not relinquish.

As they had in the first inning, Haw and Renck both produced hits to start off the inning. Haw had a single to left and Renck a double to right center. Renck went four for four at the plate in the game with two walks, three runs and three RBIs. With three games to go, he is the current leader for the GSAC batting title with an average of .416.

Renck’s double gave Westmont runners at second and third with no one out and brought up DeSaegher who doubled to right for his fourth and fifth RBIs of the game. After a pitching change, Bryce

McFeely was hit by a pitch before Parker O’Neil delivered an RBI-single to center to drive in DeSaegher and advance O’Neil to third. McFeely later scored on a wild pitch.

Soper drove in two Warrior runs in the sixth inning when his single to center brought home Liam Critchett and O’Neil.

The seventh inning saw two more runs scored when a home run by Renck made the score 138. The two-run blast produced the 157th run scored by the senior second baseman, tying him for the career record with a former Warrior second baseman, Michael Stefanic.

Westmont’s final run of the first game came in the eighth when Renck walked with the bases loaded.

In the second game, Eric Osegura suffered his first loss of the season. Though he gave up just two runs on six hits in five innings of work, the senior right-hander did not get any run support. The game marked the first time the Warriors – who tallied just two hits - have been shutout this season.

Westmont’s best chance to score came in the second inning with runners on second and third and one away. Two strikeouts later,

Rio Grande Valley border agents assaulted while apprehending tens of thousands a week

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents continue to be assaulted by foreign nationals illegally entering the U.S.

Despite this and other challenges, agents are apprehending tens of thousands of illegal foreign nationals a week, and seizing hundreds of pounds of fentanyl, meth and cocaine, over $1 million in currency, weapons and stolen vehicles.

They are also apprehending known sex offenders, those with open warrants and convicted murderers.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, who’s testified under oath more than once that there’s a crisis at the southern border and Border Patrol agents have no operational control over it, has increasingly been reporting on RGV Sector agent success stories.

The sector covers more than 320 river miles, 250

coastal miles and 19 Texas counties.

Chief Ortiz reported Friday that despite four agents being assaulted over the past week, RGV agents overall apprehended 34,124 illegal foreign nationals and reported at least 10,866 known gotaways. Gotaways are those who evade capture by law enforcement and made their way into the U.S and their whereabouts are currently unknown. Agents also seized $80,500 worth of cash, 580 pounds of marijuana, 202 pounds of fentanyl, 15 pounds of meth, two pounds of heroin, two pounds of cocaine, and 10 firearms. They also arrested 14 sex offenders, nine known gang members and four individuals with open arrest warrants.

This total includes the data he reported a day earlier.

On April 13, within a 24-hour period, he said RGV agents apprehended 5,400 illegal foreign nationals

Please see Bo RD e R on A4

Initiative aims to increase women’s presence in law enforcement

police

Continued from Page A2

said. “This pivotal bill will not only help advance the role of women in law enforcement, but it will also eliminate barriers they face due to biased and outdated hiring practices. As a former administrator for the Chapel Hill Police Department, I am proud to join Congresswoman Ross in this effort that will support women in law enforcement and make a

lasting systemic change.”

“This legislation coupled with the 30x30 initiative are necessary steps towards increasing women in law enforcement,” said Chief Andrews, of the Durham Police.

The 30x30 Initiative is a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who are pushing to increase female representation in law enforcement to 30% by 2030. The group’s website includes research that “has shown women

however, the Warriors were back on the field without a run on the scoreboard. Next weekend, the Warriors are scheduled for a doubleheader at Ottawa on Friday beginning at 2 p.m. followed by a single game on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Ron Smith is the sports information director at Westmont College.

email: sports@newspress.com

officers are associated with more positive outcomes for communities.”

The initiative reports, “Women officers use less force and less excessive force; are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits; are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate; see better outcomes for crime victims, especially in sexual assault cases; and make fewer discretionary arrests.”

Celebrating the Earth

Above, Hiccup, a miniature horse from Las Flores Ranch in Santa Maria, receives attention from passerby during Chumash Earth Day at Kitiyepumu’ Park on the Santa Ynez Reservation on Saturday. At right, the Beekeeper’s Guild of Santa Barbara educates attendees on the roles of bees in the ecosystem.

At left, educational materials detail the role of insects in the world. At right, Carlomagno

speaks to passerby during the event.

Border agents large quantities of currency, drugs, firearms

BORDER

Continued from Page A3

and seized 59 pounds of marijuana, 14 pounds of fentanyl, 13 pounds of meth, and two pounds of cocaine. They also seized $55,000 worth of cash and two firearms. They also apprehended three sex offenders, one gang member and one individual with an open warrant wanted for homicide.

Just days before, on April 10, Chief Ortiz announced that over a 72-hour time period, that despite two Border Patrol agents being assaulted, agents apprehended 12,200 illegal foreign nationals and seized three firearms and two stolen vehicles.

They also arrested five sex offenders, five gang members and one murderer.

On April 11, he reported that in the past week, 11 agents were assaulted by illegal

foreign nationals. RGV agents in one week apprehended 34,600 illegal foreign nationals, and reported at least 10,100 known gotaways. They also apprehended 11 known sex offenders, seven with open warrants for their arrest, and four gang members.

Agents also seized $1.24 million worth of currency, 146 pounds of meth, 106 pounds of fentanyl, 39 pounds of ecstasy, 12 pounds of cocaine, and 29 firearms.

During the first weekend of the month, over a 48-hour period, Chief Ortiz reported on April 3 that agents had apprehended over 10,070 illegal foreign nationals. They also seized 52 pounds of fentanyl, 38 pounds of ecstasy, 11 pounds of meth, and 11 pounds of cocaine. They seized $48,000 worth of cash, 20 firearms and five stolen vehicles.

They apprehended five sex offenders, four people with warrants, and one gang member.

Data released by Chief Ortiz continues to contradict testimony given to Congress by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

When asked last month by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, “How many murderers have you released into America?” Mr. Mayorkas replied, “I’m not aware of any murderer.”

Sen. Cruz also asked him how many rapists and child molesters had been released into the country because of his catch and release policy. He also asked Mr. Mayorkas how many gotaways were murderers and rapists. Mr. Mayorkas said he didn’t know, either didn’t answer his question, or sat in silence.

Mr. Mayorkas also couldn’t answer how many known or suspected terrorists CBP agents had apprehended. At the time of his testimony, nearly 300 known or suspected terrorists had been apprehended in fiscal 2023, The Center Square reported.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Calderon of The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

Life theArts

‘All Hands on Deck’

CALENDAR

Book signing, talk, dinner to launch new series at harbor venues

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is partnering with Anchor Rose restaurant, both located at 113 Harbor Way, to develop a series of collaborative harborside movie screenings and special events. The first of these will launch an exciting new book, “All Hands on Deck: A Modern Day HighSeas Adventure to the Far Side of the World,” at 4:30 p.m. April 29. “All Hands on Deck” will include a reception on the

waterfront center’s patio, a presentation based on author Will Sofrin’s book, an optional 18 century-themed dinner and a complete screening of the classic movie, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” considered by many to be the best sailing movie ever made.

The film stars Russell Crowe as Aubrey, captain in the Royal Navy, and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, the ship’s surgeon. Filming took place on the open sea, on replica ships in the water tanks of Baja Studios and on the Galápagos Islands. At the 76th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for 10 Oscars,

including Best Picture and Best Director.

The reception will be followed by Mr. Sofrin’s presentation at 5:30 p.m. and will include film clips, commentary and photographs. Mr. Sofrin will share the story of his maritime adventure as part of the crew that sailed the American tall ship, Rose (a 180-foot-long replica of an 18th-century British frigate), 6,000 miles from Newport, R.I., to Hollywood. Anchor Rose restaurant will offer an optional dinner based on food served to officers and crew in the British Navy around the turn of the 19th century.

The cost to attend the

reception, presentation and film screening is free for SBMM’s Navigator Circle Members and $35 for all others.

For an additional $40, guests can register for the optional dinner, which includes a glass of wine and a buffet meal featuring lobster bisque, saffron rice, chicken, swordfish and a vegan option.

To register for this event, visit sbmm.org/santa-barbara-event/. Proceeds will enable SBMM to continue offering tall ships and other education and schoolbased programs. This event is made possible

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

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

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “SURREAL

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

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical. org. to etcsb.org or call 805-9655400.

APRIL 21

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

APRIL 23

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

APRIL 24

7:30 p.m. The Lompoc Pops Orchestra will everything from Broadway hits to a “Star Trek” medley at the First United Methodist Church, 925 North F St.,

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2023

JACK MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES Art critic and poet John Yau will have a conversation with artist Joan Tanner April 30 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Filming for “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” took place on the open sea. Will Sofrin describes his experience on the fi lm in his book “All Hands on Deck.”

in part by the support of Scott Newhall, Pauline Sattler and Black Bart Navy Rum.

In the late 1990s, Patrick O’Brian’s bestselling historical novels inspired the film “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.”

While director Peter Weir and stars Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany were signed on, there was one problem. Rose, the replica 18th-century British warship that the filmmakers purchased to serve as the HMS Surprise, was in Newport, R.I., two oceans and thousands of miles away from Hollywood.

Enter a ragtag crew of 30 tallship fanatics, including author Will Sofrin, then a 21-year-old wooden-boat builder and yacht racer looking for some direction in his life. Together, the crew embarked on an epic adventure, racing a ticking clock and fighting against Mother Nature and occasionally each other, to deliver Rose.

“All Hands on Deck: A Modern-Day High Seas

Adventure to the Far Side of the World” is Mr. Sofrin’s account of this unforgettable voyage. It’s a story of reinvention, of hard work on the high seas, of love and of survival. The crew of the Rose effectively went back in time, bringing the old ways of a forgotten world to life while barely living to tell the tale.

Mr. Sofrin, who grew up in Connecticut, describes himself

COURTESY PHOTO

After high school, Will Sofrin became an apprentice shipwright at the IYRS School of Technology and Trades. Then he became a professional sailor, working on yachts, logging more than 30,000 blue water miles and becoming a licensed captain.

FYI

“All Hands on Deck” begins at 4:30 p.m. April 29 at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, 113 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara. For more information, visit sbmm.org.

as “the guy who didn’t follow any of the rules.” Instead of going to college after high school, he became an apprentice shipwright at the IYRS School of Technology and Trades,

learning to build and restore wooden boats. Then he became a professional sailor, working on yachts, logging more than 30,000 blue water miles and becoming a licensed captain.

He sailed throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Central America and both coasts of the U.S., competing in numerous sailing events such as the America’s Cup Jubilee, the Prada Classic Yacht Challenge and the 12-meter World Championships.

Mr. Sofrin is a master shipwright who has taught at MIT and built boats for Billy Joel and Estée Lauder.

Today, he is a freelance writer for numerous maritime periodicals such as Classic Boat Magazine, Cruising World, Latitude 38, Ocean Navigator, Pacific Yachting, Sea History Journal, Soundings and WoodenBoat, as well as an accomplished maritime artist. When he’s not writing, Mr. Sofrin is doing all sorts of other creative things, like designing the architecture of a home, overseeing the restoration of historic homes, designing and building furniture or painting a wall mural.

Next year, he will start construction of a cold-molded power boat for cruising off the coast of Santa Barbara, but his passion for yachting persists. He and his wife have a sailboat that they enjoy racing and using to explore the California coast with their 7-year-old daughter. email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

Shelters seek homes for pets

Local animal shelters and their nonprofit partners are looking for homes for pets. For more information, go to these websites:

• Animal Services-Lompoc, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc.

• Animal Shelter Assistance Program in Goleta, asapcats.org.

ASAP is kitty corner to Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter in Goleta, bunssb.org.

BUNS is based at Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Companion Animal Placement

RADIO FOR HERE

Assistance, lompoccapa.org and facebook.com/capaoflompoc.

CAPA works regularly with Animal Services-Lompoc.

• K-9 Placement & Assistance League, k-9pals.org. K-9 PALS works regularly with Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, sbcanimalcare. org. (The foundation works regularly with the Santa Maria Animal Center.)

• Santa Barbara County Animal Services in Goleta: countyofsb.org/ phd/animal/home.sbc.

• Santa Barbara Humane (with

It’s OK to just simply feel good

Every now and then, for no particular reason at all, do you find yourself feeling good?

Not giddy, not happy, and certainly not high, but just feeling comfortable in your own skin?

Even though there are still issues to deal with, you have an inner sense that you will handle them and that it will all be OK.

While you are in this emotional state of peace, take in as much of it as possible.

Your good mood may not last forever (perhaps not even for the day), and because of that, it’s important to imprint it on your psyche so that the next time you start to dwell on some unpleasant thoughts or are feeling anxious, you can remember that deep within you, there is the understanding that everything will be OK. This knowledge will decrease your emotional discomfort.

The trick to feeling good is to allow it to happen rather than try to force it. And it’s better not to always set your sights on happiness. Remember that you don’t need to be happy all the

time. If you believe that you need to be happy all the time, you are putting undue stress on your psyche. It really isn’t possible, so don’t be so hard on yourself, and learn to enjoy those moments of just feeling OK about the day and your life. Such contentment is highly underrated.

Feeling content can be difficult for those who believe they should be starring in their own television reality show. If you think that you have to be on top of the world all of the time, you are limiting your life and not giving yourself a chance to take in and relish the simple pleasures that really do give us our greatest inspirations.

Family, friends and a sense of purpose can make most people happy enough, even in the face of the Great Recession. In fact, those folks who don’t have a loving support structure generally don’t fare as well, as far as mood levels go, even if they have money and are unconcerned with survival issues.

Don’t get me wrong. Everyone wants and loves to feel great, and I’m all for it, but I know it can’t be

Student athletes

campuses in Goleta and Santa Maria), sbhumane.org.

• Santa Maria Animal Center, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc. The center is part of Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton, syvhumane.org.

• Shadow’s Fund (a pet sanctuary in Lompoc), shadowsfund.org.

• Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals in Lompoc: vivashelter. org.

— Dave Mason

FROM HERE

constant, so I believe that being comfortable with contentment is actually a positive thing. I think we need to learn to enjoy the “I’m doing OK” moments because that’s really where we spend most of the time. And it is certainly better than feeling down. When you take a moment to evaluate how you look at your life, you are being mindful. String enough of those moments together, and you start to give yourself the tools you need to make your life work for you, no matter what. Those who understand that life is a cycle, that nothing is meant to last forever, deal well with their circumstances, regardless of what those circumstances may be. We all know and admire people who have that ability. Sometimes we forget that we have it too.

Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D., is an award-winning psychotherapist and humanitarian. He is also a columnist, the author of eight books and a blogger for PsychologyToday. com with more than 28 million readers. He is available for video consults worldwide. Reach him at barton@bartongoldsmith.com or 818-879-9996. He has lived and practiced in Westlake Village for more than two decades. His column appears Saturdays and Mondays in the News-Press.

win scholarships, to join Coast Guard

SOLVANG — Local athletes

Zackery Bennet and Tabitha

Pearigen recently received $2,000 annual scholarships from the Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach and Cloverlane Foundation at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.

Mr. Bennet and Ms. Pearigen are friends who are graduating this year from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

As long as they stay in the military, they will receive this scholarship every year. In addition, if they decide to continue school after the military, this scholarship will continue for that as well, according to a news release.

Both of these student athletes have signed with the U.S. Coast Guard for a six-year enlistment. They will be joining as E3’s and going to boot camp together.

There are only six women who have become ASTs — the Coast Guard’s specialized rescue swimmers — and Ms. Pearigen will be the seventh.

Ms. Pearigen and Mr. Bennet both competed on water polo and swim teams. Ms. Pearigen holds one water polo record (most goals in a single season) and six individual swim records (100 Free, 200 Free, 500 Free, 100 Backstroke, 100 Fly, 200 Individual Medley).

Mr. Bennett has served as the captain of the swim team and was a California state lifeguard for two years. And he’s a surfer.

— Dave Mason

COURTESY PHOTO

Zackery Bennet and Tabitha Pearigen recently received $2,000 annual scholarships. They’re graduating this year from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and are joining the U.S. Coast Guard.

Foundation to host Kids Draw Architecture

SANTA BARBARA — The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara and AIA Santa Barbara invite kids of all ages to participate in Kids Draw Architecture, a community event where they can sketch a local historical building.

This year’s outdoor sketch session will take place 1 to 3 p.m. April 23 at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara, 123 E. Canon Perdido St.,

Santa Barbara. The sketch session is free and drawing materials will be provided, and local architects and artists will be available for guidance.

If unable to attend, black and white pencil drawings of El Presidio de Santa Bárbara can be submitted by mail until May 26.

Selected drawings will be featured on the 2024 KDA

calendar and exhibited at the Architectural Foundation Gallery. The Foundation and AIA are located at the historic Acheson House in Santa Barbara and the gallery is open on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, the entry form and mailing address, go to afsb.org.

— Caleb Beeghly

PPF announces this year’s PROUD Prom

GOLETA — PROUD Prom, put on by Pacific Pride Foundation, is a formal event designed for LGBTQ+ junior high and high school students to come together, express themselves, and celebrate in a safe and inclusive environment.

This year’s PROUD Prom will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. May 13

CALENDAR

Continued from Page B1

Lompoc. Tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for all full time students, and free for children 12 and under. To make reservations, call 805-733-1796.

at the Direct Relief warehouse in Goleta.

The event is open to all junior high and high school students, including homeschooled youth, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Straight and cisgender allies are also welcome to attend.

Thanks to Direct Relief, the

event is free. And due to limited space, early registration is encouraged. Volunteers for PROUD Prom are also welcomed. To register for PROUD Prom or to volunteer, go to pacificpridefoundation.org.

— Caleb Beeghly

Diversions

Thought for Today

“Some people don’t like change, but you need to embrace change if the alternative is disaster.”

— Elon Musk

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com

Monday, April 17, 2023

Aries: Even though you’re slaving away at work, your mind is very much on romance. Passion is running high, especially yours, Aries! If you already have a romantic partner, why not plan an intimate evening together? If you don’t yet have someone special in your life, it’s likely you will meet someone today or soon thereafter.

Taurus: If you had to score your life right now, it would have to be a perfect ten. You look great, your career is going well, and your domestic life is harmonious. Could there be anything more to life? Don’t think so. You may receive news of more success at work when an important sale comes through or a project is successfully completed.

Gemini: You have a lot to celebrate, Gemini, especially where your love life is concerned. Today you may receive a communication from your loved one that makes you yearn for this person’s company. You’ve been together a lot recently, attending many dinners and social gatherings, but you’ve had little one-on-one time.

Cancer: There’s a lot of work to be done today, and much of it centers on finances. Whether you’re working on budgets or investments, you will easily finish the task. Your trusty computer will help you as you discover a new website that supports your efforts or post a question in a financial chatroom that yields many responses.

Leo: You may be privy to some information today that will ultimately result in financial gain, Leo. You may get wind of a new company and be one of the first investors. Or perhaps what you hear gives you an idea for a new product that you bring to market yourself. The outlook for you is rosy indeed, although your success won’t come without putting your own skills and talents to use!

Virgo: Expect to receive some great news today, Virgo. Answer your phone and check email all day, because you never know when it will come. Indications suggest that success in all aspects of your life is coming. You may complete a project to acclaim or submit a report that’s accepted without

question.

Libra: Your optimistic nature has served you well. This quality makes you a great manager since you can motivate and inspire co-workers. Today you may be recognized for your leadership abilities and can-do attitude. Your reward might be a promotion or bonus, or perhaps another project even more challenging than the last.

Scorpio: You woke up feeling happy and enthusiastic, Scorpio. Your intuition tells you that you will achieve whatever you set your mind to. Whatever your goals - career, education, or personal - you’re bound to succeed. If you don’t have a significant other by your side to support your progress, all signs indicate that you will meet someone soon.

Sagittarius: Whether you spend today with your feet on the ground or in an airplane, you’re eager and enthusiastic about your life direction. If you aren’t on your way to a distant land, it’s likely that you will be airborne soon, Sagittarius. You’ve achieved tremendous success lately and that trend is going to continue.

Capricorn: Success and good fortune are strongly indicated today, Capricorn, along with a sense of optimism. All sorts of changes and surprises lie in store for you. You may receive information from a business partner that radically changes your short-term plans. A trip may be in order, or you could have a visitor.

Aquarius: Money matters are highlighted today, Aquarius. You can expect to spend a lot of time with the calculator as you balance your checkbook or begin to work on your budget. Even if you don’t consider yourself particularly good with numbers, you will do a great job.

Pisces: An unexpected financial windfall could come your way today, Pisces. You may stand there with an open envelope in your hand, unable to speak. Whether it’s an unanticipated bonus, gift, or surprising stock dividend, invest the money wisely. You’ve spent a lot of money recently, and it would be good for you to begin to replenish the bank account.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Monday, April 17, 2023

Players can succumb to the “euphoria effect.” If something good happens early in the play, they respond emotionally and forget that the deal isn’t over.

The raise to 3NT by today’s North was bold: Seven of his points lay in a short suit, he lacked aces, and a heart lead was likely. When West led a low heart, South correctly and hopefully put up dummy’s queen — and it won!

South must have been euphoric. He next unblocked the A-K of clubs, led a diamond to his ace and took the queen of clubs. When he led a second diamond to dummy’s king, expecting five diamond tricks and nine in all, East discarded. Down two.

LAPSE

Euphoria is not one of the Nine Muses of Greek myth; South was so ecstatic at winning Trick One that he lost focus. After he takes dummy’s high clubs, he must cash the king of diamonds, following with his ten, and lead to his ace.

When East shows out, South takes the queen of clubs and leads a diamond to the nine. He can run the diamonds for nine tricks. DAILY QUESTION

You hold:

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

You open one

and your partner bids one

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-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Saturday’s Life section.

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

heart. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your hand is promising but not strong enough to force to game; your partner may have responded with a six-point hand (and some players would respond with fewer points). Bid one spade.

A jump-shift to two spades would create a game-force. If your partner passes one spade, you are unlikely to miss a game.

Illinois Supreme Court justices deny motion for recusal in gun ban challenge

By GREG BISHOP THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court has denied a motion to disqualify two justices from hearing a challenge to the state’s new gun ban over perceived conflicts of interest. The two justices also declined to recuse themselves.

Before Elizabeth Rochford and Mary O’Brien were elected to the Illinois Supreme Court in November 2022, Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave each of their campaign funds half a million dollars from both his campaign account and a revocable trust, totaling $1 million to each. The two justices also received six-figure donations out of a campaign fund controlled by Illinois House Speaker Emanual “Chris” Welch,” D-Hillside.

Both Gov. Pritzker and Rep. Welch are top defendants in a Macon County challenge of Illinois’ gun and magazine ban brought by state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur. The county judge there issued a final judgment that the law is unconstitutional. The state appealed the case directly to the Illinois Supreme Court after a separate case was found by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to have a likelihood of success on the basis the law violates equal protections.

Late last month, Rep. Caulkins’ attorney filed a motion for the two justices to recuse themselves, or for the Illinois Supreme Court to disqualify them from hearing the challenge. Attorney Jerry Stocks argued “unreasonably large campaign contributions” from Gov. Pritzker and Rep. Welch “undermine public confidence” in the judiciary.

Asked in early March if the justices should recuse themselves because of the donations, Gov. Pritzker said that’s “ridiculous.”

“And these are independent judges and they didn’t go around and campaign on things that they thought would win my support for them,”

Gov. Pritzker said when asked by The Center Square.

Late Friday, Judge Rochford filed an order denying the motion.

“That contributors to my campaign committee might appear as counsel or parties before this court does not require my recusal from this case,” Judge Rochford said. “Our supreme court rules specifically allow a judicial candidate’s campaign committee to solicit and accept reasonable campaign contributions and public support from lawyers.”

Judge Rochford further said previous precedent “cautioned that courts must consider whether attacks on a judge’s impartiality are ‘simply subterfuge to circumvent anticipated adverse rulings.’”

“Plaintiffs cast sinister aspersions that contributions to my campaign committee were made to influence the instant litigation,” Judge Rochford said. “Plaintiffs provide no factual basis for those aspersions.”

Judge Rochford also denied making any pledge of support for gun control groups’ efforts.

“Despite this broad claim, plaintiffs do not cite any instance in

which I voiced such support. In fact, I have made no public statement committing or appearing to commit to reach a particular result or rule in a particular way in the instant proceeding that would require me to recuse or disqualify myself from this case,” Judge Rochford said. “In sum, plaintiffs do not suggest that I am biased or partial in this matter. Rather, plaintiffs have attempted to show bias based upon inference and supposition, to create the appearance of impropriety where none exists. I have carefully considered plaintiffs’ motion, and for the reasons set forth above, I deny plaintiffs’ motion to recuse myself from this case.”

In a separate order filed by Judge O’Brien, she too denied the motion for recusal.

“Because plaintiffs have failed to sufficiently plead any facts that would require disqualification under Rule 2.11 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, I am required under Rule 2.7 to hear and decide the instant appeal,” Judge O’Brien said. A third order issued by Illinois Supreme Court filed late Friday says “because disqualification in this Court is a decision that rests exclusively within the determination of the individual judge, appellees’ request that the Court disqualify Justices Rochford and O’Brien is denied.”

The final order says Judges Rochford and O’Brien took no part.

Mr. Stocks told The Center Square in a statement Saturday that he “raised a fair question arising from appearances that reasonably informed the grounds for recusal and stand by the content of our Motion.”

“Ultimately, each justice must make an independent evaluation whether a party to the appeal seeks that evaluation or not,” Mr. Stocks said. “In this respect, the suggestion that as movants raising the issue that we had a burden of proof to show actual impartiality on the part of the justice is a contention with which we disagree. The decision has been made and we turn to the merits of the challenge to the facially unconstitutional law. It is premature to determine the remedy, if any, for the participation of the Justices if our view is valid.”

State Rep. Brad Halbrook, RShelbyville, had asked about the issue during a recent House hearing. Saturday, he told The Center Square the recusal and disqualification denials are disappointing.

“The optics don’t look very good,” Rep. Halbrook said. “This just lessens the trust that people place in government and the judiciary.”

He still held out hope the case will get a fair hearing at the state’s high court come mid-May, but is looking more at relief from the federal courts.

“Hopefully the Illinois Supreme Court will utilize the constitution and hopefully the four-plus U.S. Supreme Court cases will rule the day at the federal level.”

The federal cases were heard Wednesday in East St. Louis. A ruling on a preliminary injunction is pending.

Washington bill authorizing state sale of abortion pills clears Senate

By TJ MARTINELL THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - A bill that would authorize the Department of Corrections, or DOC, to sell abortion pills in Washington state has cleared the Senate in a 28-18 vote, despite concerns among detractors that it could lead to a perpetual agency function at cost to taxpayers.

Gov. Jay Inslee recently directed DOC to purchase a three-year supply of an abortion pill called mifepristone at the cost of $1.23 million. SB 5768, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, would authorize the state agency to practice pharmacy or wholesale distribution of those pills to both ordinary residents as well as DOC’s prison inmates.

Although in a statement, Sen. Keiser touted strong voter support for abortion in the state, she told colleagues prior to the April 12 Ways and Means Committee vote that “I just believe we are in uncertain times here. We cannot predict

what will happen next in the area of reproductive care. We need to have this option available to the residents of our state.”

SB 5768 stipulates that the abortion pills sold could not exceed the list price and includes a $5 fee per dose.

The Senate floor amendments mirrored those proposed in Ways and Means.

Among them was an amendment proposed by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia that would have removed the fee and instead require DOC to recover “sufficient revenue to cover the cost of abortion medications.”

“In any case, this is a more affordable option than what is in the market right now,” Sen. Braun said at the April 12 vote. “It’s not meant to be a barrier. Just meant to make sure that we cover the cost, not by additional costs to the state.”

Other amendments proposed in both Ways and Means as well as on the Senate floor would have required DOC to be licensed and pay the state business and

Energy experts concerned

By KEVIN BESSIER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Some energy experts are raising a red flag that Illinois’ transition to clean energy may prompt reliability issues.

With more coal and gas plants going offline under Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, some lawmakers are concerned of possible brownouts.

During a recent Senate Energy Committee hearing, Brian Thiry, external affairs director with Reliability First Corporation, said retirements of old power sources are outpacing new power sources coming online.

“As we shrink these margins, it is a reliability risk, so it is just something we need to consider. It is a risk that we are seeing and it’s a risk we’re concerned about,” Mr. Thiry said.

Thiry warned that some renewable projects could be delayed due to financial problems or supply chain issues.

Diane Holder, vice president of Entity Engagement and Corporate Services with Reliability First, said what they are seeing are reduced reserve margins for energy.

“Retirements are outpacing new installations, and I’m sure you can understand, that is a bit of a gap, and one that we think battery storage can certainly help address, but battery storage is not yet fully developed,” Ms. Holder said.

Some state lawmakers have highlighted the fact that some of the retiring plants should have been kept online longer through the clean energy transition.

“My colleagues and I have no issue with the development of alternative sources of energy,” said state Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City. “What we have an issue with is the heavy hand of government forcing the closure of power plants before there are viable alternatives in place.”

According to the Energy Information Administration, as of July 2022, Illinois had the country’s fifth largest energy consumption among states. Just over half of that comes from nuclear, the highest proportion of any state.

The committee plans to meet again to discuss reliability issues in the near future.

“Indiana or Texas, they’re much faster at this,” said state Sen. Suzy Glowiak-Hilton, D-Western Springs. “We are in Illinois. It seems to be really slow, so I’m concerned about our ability to transition quickly.”

occupation tax. Another would have prohibited DOC from purchasing more abortion medication without legislative authority and funding. There is no sunset clause for DOC’s authorization.

At the April 12 committee vote, Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, called the mass purchase of abortion pills “highly unusual,” adding that “the Legislature enacts policy and provides the funding, and the executive branch carries out the Legislature’s direction. That needs to be the process if this goes forward.”

Speaking in opposition at the April 12 Ways and Means meeting was Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, who said “given the uncertainty and the landscape around reproductive care in our country right now we want to maintain flexibility. We wouldn’t want to hold up the possibility of purchasing additional medication if that becomes necessary. We do not want to tie it to the Legislature being in session.”

SB 5768 will now advance to the House, where it will be referred to a committee.

Amazon requests $152m in incentives from Virginia for HQ2

By MADISON HIRNEISEN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Amazon applied for economic development incentives from Virginia for its new HQ2 campus in Arlington, requesting the state pay $152 million to the company by 2026.

Arlington was chosen as the site for Amazon’s second quarters four years ago – a move the company said would bring 25,000 jobs to the area by 2030. The tech giant has roughly 8,400 employees assigned to HQ2, and the average wage of these jobs must meet or exceed $156,800, according to Amazon spokesperson Rachael Lightly.

Under the project deal, state officials are expected to pay the company $22,000 per full-time, qualifying job with an average salary of $156k, resulting in the $152 million payment Amazon is requesting in the grant application, Ms. Lightly wrote in an email to The Center Square. According to Ms. Lightly, the company submitted its application for incentives March 31.

“Our partnership agreement with the commonwealth is based on our long-term commitment to create tens of thousands of jobs and a community-oriented development in Arlington that spurs economic vibrancy and benefits the entire region,” Holly Sullivan, Amazon’s vice president of Worldwide Economic Development, said in a statement.

Amazon’s HQ2 is a $2.5 billion investment that is expected to develop 2.8 million square feet of office space across three 22-story buildings. The complex will include “The Helix,” a building shaped like a double helix that will feature outdoor walkable paths with plants and trees.

The tech giant announced last month that it was pausing construction on phase two of its second headquarters in Crystal City. The first phase of the project – Met Park– is still expected to be completed on schedule. Amazon officials say Met Park will open this summer, bringing new retailers to Arlington and a 2.5 acre public park. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership offers a range of discretionary incentives with the goal of encouraging business growth. In determining access to discretionary incentives, VDEP considers several factors, including Return-On-Investment analysis, the number of new jobs created, wage level, capital investment, regional unemployment, poverty and fiscal stress and company growth potential, according to VDEP’s communications manager Suzanne Clark. “Every prospective discretionary incentive recipient goes through a rigorous due diligence process,” Ms. Clark said in an email to The Center Square. Ms. Clark said VDEP is still in the process of verifying information in Amazon’s application for incentives and is hoping to have the review completed by next week. While Amazon settled on Arlington for its second headquarters four years ago, the tech giant held off on submitting its application for payment from the state “given the challenges posed by the pandemic in 2020, 2021, and early 2022,” Ms. Lightly said. Amazon has cut roughly 27,000 jobs this year after its workforce doubled during the pandemic, though the company has said the pause in construction is not due to role eliminations, as reported by Gizmodo.

that Illinois’ move to clean energy may cause reliability issues