Santa Barbara News-Press: June 12, 2023

Honoring the graduates

22 states to receive $17.3B from drug manufacturers, CVS, Walgreens - A2

Locals look for ideas at santa Barbara Home show

nEWs-PRE ss EXCLU siVE

Alleged stalker seeks mental health diversion

Man accused of slalking Ariana Grande

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The lawyer of the man accused of stalking pop singer Ariana Grande at her Montecito home wants to have his client diverted from the criminal proceedings he’s currently facing so he can be treated for undisclosed mental health problems, prosecutors said.

Aharon Zebulon Israel Brown, 24, was scheduled to appear in Superior Court on May 25 to set a date for his preliminary hearing.

But instead of setting the hearing date, or, as so often happens, continuing his case to another date, Mr. Brown’s lawyer chose a different option.

“The defense attorney filed

Please see DIVERSION on A4

Safe lanes for DeSantis, Pence on Trump while in Greensboro

By ALAN WOOTEN THE CENTER SQUARE

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The 2023 Santa Barbara Home

Show was held this past weekend at the Earl Warren Showgrounds as home improvement specialists displayed their wares for locals looking for a change of style.

The home show featured all sorts of indoor and outdoor products, from a backyard “sheshed” to a lower-back massage machine. People casually walked through the showground tent aisles and talked to the salesmen about the various services they could offer.

“I try to help someone first‘how was your day going?’ I don’t go right out for a lead,” said Jared Clark, owner of Central Coast Concrete Coatings. “I go at it on how I can help someone before I can count it as a sale.”

The atmosphere at the home

Please see HOME SHOW on A4

(The Center Square) –Republican presidential rivals chose a safe lane while delivering keynote speeches at the annual North Carolina Republican Convention in Greensboro on Friday and Saturday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was clear in an analogy to reference former President Donald Trump and his legal troubles though he didn’t mention his name, and former Vice President Mike Pence urged patience and prayer.

Mr. Trump, in his Saturday night speech, remained defiant of doing anything wrong just as he did with Georgians at their state GOP convention earlier in the day. A 49-page federal indictment against the 76-yearold Republican says Mr. Trump mishandled classified documents after his presidency, tried to hide records, and thwarted the probe of the Department of Justice, which raided his MarA-Lago home in Florida last year to retrieve the documents.

Mr. Trump also faces unrelated criminal charges in New York.

Before the indictment was announced by Mr. Trump himself last week, the North Carolina event was already scheduled to feature Gov. DeSantis on Friday night, Pence at noon on Saturday and Mr. Trump in the headliner that evening. All three are among the Republicans vying for the presidency in 2024.

“Is there a different standard for a Democratic secretary of state versus a former Republican president?” Gov. DeSantis said during his address to the thousands gathered, referring to Hillary Clinton. “I think there needs to be one standard of justice in this country.”

Mrs. Clinton was investigated by the FBI during her tenure as secretary of state under former

President Barack Obama for using a private email server to store and send classified documents. She was never charged. “At the end of the day, we will once and for all end the weaponization of government under my administration,” Gov. DeSantis said.

Gov. DeSantis and a number of Florida Republicans have spoken out against the Trump investigation.

“I’m going to urge patience, encourage people to be prayerful for the former president, but also for all those in authority and for the country going forward,” Mr. Pence said during his Saturday appearance.

Mr. Trump was greeted by plenty of support in both Georgia and North Carolina, and not just at the Peach State Waffle House he visited. Standing ovations were the norm at both political conventions.

“In the end,” he said in Greensboro, “they’re not coming after me, they’re coming after you, and I’m just standing in the way.”

He told the audience if he’s returned to the White House, “their reign will be over and America will be a free nation once again.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, and former Vice President Mike Pence

Former President Donald Trump

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Jacuzzis built by Whiteswan Pools and Spas are displayed during the Santa Barbara Home Show at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara on Saturday.

Above and below, a fully built and furnished “She Shed” by A Place to Grow SLO, a business based in Paso Robles, is displayed.

Beds and sofas are displayed by the Santa Barbara Co. Sleep Shoppes & Design Center.

Foresters open season with win

The Santa Barbara Foresters’ Ryan Black leaps to avoid a collision with a San Luis Obispo Blues player attempting to steal second base during the Foresters’ 6-1 win in their first game of the season on Saturday.

Shed fire contained

TRAFFIC,

GOLETA - A shed fire broke out early Sunday in the 5900 Block of Via Lemora, Goleta.

An explosion was heard resulting in calls to 9-1-1 for the 10’ X 15’ shed fire next to a residence, county fire officials said.

Firefighters prevented the fire from extending to the residence. The fire was knocked down at 5:29 a.m.

CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

No injuries were reported. The fire remains under investigation.

- Neil Hartstein

Homeless man removed from motel property

SANTA BARBARA - Police responded Sunday afternoon to the Motel 6 at 3505 State St. to forcibly remove a homeless man from the

property. The man, pushing a shopping cart, allegedly shouted to a hotel manager beforehand that he had been illegally evicted from the hotel. He demanded to know where his stuff was, and the manager said it was safe in the room he formally occupied. The man left but apparently returned and the police were called.

- Neil Hartstein

Walgreens

By JOE MUELLER

THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Thirteen attorneys general announced settlements with opioid manufacturers Teva and Allergan on Friday, while 18 states settled with CVS and Walgreens for a total of $17.3 billion.

The attorneys general said settlement funds will start flowing into state and local governments by the end of this year and will be used for prevention and treatment of opioid addiction.

“With 11 North Carolinians dying of an overdose everyday on average, we are at a moment of crisis,” Democratic North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said in a statement announcing his state will receive $521 million. “These agreements my office achieved with these drug manufacturers and pharmacies will save lives. We are requiring these companies to pay for desperately-needed treatment in our communities and to change the way they operate to prevent other people from getting addicted in the future.”

Teva and Allergan agreed to strict limitations on the marketing and distribution of opioids. They’re prohibited

from promotion and lobbying, rewarding or disciplining employees based on volume of opioid sales and from funding or grants to third parties. The companies must publicly disclose documents, including internal documents, related to their role in the opioid crisis.

Allergan is barred from manufacturing and selling opioids for 10 years.

CVS and Walgreens must maintain independent departments to oversee compliance with state and federal laws. The retailers must create and maintain oversight programs and provide data to the states about red-flag processes, including blocked and potentially problematic prescribers.

States reaching settlements with Teva and Allergan are

California, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. States settling with CVS and Walgreens are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Texas.

Nationalopioidssettlement. com, a website maintained by a group of plaintiffs in lawsuits, summarized the settlements late last year, with the assumption of maximum participation of states:

• Teva will pay up to $3.34 billion over 13 years and provide either $1.2 billion of its generic version of the drug Narcan over

10 years or $240 million of cash in lieu of product, as each state may elect;

• Allergan will pay up to $2.02 billion over seven years;

• CVS will pay up to $4.90 billion over 10 years;

• Walgreens will pay up to $5.52 billion over 15 years.

The site also stated Walmart will pay up to $2.74 billion in 2023 and all of its payments will be made within six years. A final agreement with Walmart is anticipated in the coming weeks, according to a release from Mr. Stein’s office.

Colorado will receive approximately $270 million during the next 15 years from the settlements.

“Holding the companies that created and fueled the opioid crisis responsible continues to be a top priority for me and my team,” Democratic Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement. “Just like with previous settlements secured by our department and other attorneys general across the country, this money will go directly towards supporting the people and communities in Colorado who continue to battle the harms of drug addiction and misuse.”

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KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

At left, Forester Will Rogers hits an RBI single during the game. Above, Santa Barbara’s Josh Hyneman throws a pitch.

22 states reach $17.3B opioid settlement with drug manufacturers, CVS,

The attorneys general said settlement funds will start flowing into state and local governments by the end of this year and will be used for prevention and treatment of opioid addiction.

Democratic, Independent senators: Biden

‘shortchanged border communities’

By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - United States Senators from states that border Mexico issued a statement criticizing President Joe Biden’s administration this week for its handling of immigration and the border.

U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona, Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, Martin Heinrich, DNew Mexico, Alex Padilla, D-California, Ben Ray Luján, D-California, and Diane Feinstein, D-California, said in their statement that the administration is not providing adequate funding to Southwest Border communities through the Shelter and Services Program, which was, “specifically authorized by Congress to assist border communities that are directly affected by the border crisis,” according to a press release from Sen. Heinrich’s office.

The Senators say that the administration is ignoring “the will of Congress” by providing coastal cities, like New York, more than $100 million to deal with migrants, according to the release.

“Border communities across our states are on the front lines of the border crisis, and we worked hard to secure critical resources to help them increase shelter capacity, emergency services, and transportation to alleviate the strain they face every day,” the Senators wrote

California announces

$288 million in upcoming water sensitive projects

By RIA ROEBUK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - California will spend more than a quarter billion in upcoming projects in the ongoing drive to conserve, store, and deliver more water to California communities.

Forty-four projects have been approved by The Department of Water Resources through its Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Programs to better prepare for extra dry conditions making communities more resilient.

The projects include those that address flood risk management and groundwater restoration, water supply reliability, water recycling, yard transformations and water conservation expected to cost over $217 million.

An additional $71 million was directed by the administration in May to address communities vulnerable to drought. A number of these projects involve wells and near-term financial and technical support to the impacted populations.

While county departments and public authorities and agencies received the vast majority of the funding for water improvements, three of the planned ventures will directly affect Californians.

The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District will target single-family and multifamily homes in disadvantaged communities for their water efficiency program, installing waterefficient fixtures to improve indoor water use. They will also remove turf from homeowner association areas and mobile home parks, replacing it with drought tolerant plants, altogether costing $2.6 million.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will continue its turf replacement operations with a budget of $30 million. Last October the Metropolitan’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution urging water agencies to pass ordinances to permanently prohibit the installation of decorative turf.

“The board’s call is largely directed at both existing and new commercial, industrial and public properties, as well as HOAs, rather than residential properties. It does, however, call for local regulations that don’t allow installation of non-functional turf in new home construction,” a statement on the water district’s site said.

“More than half of all water used in Southern California is used outdoors for irrigation, much of it for grass that is not walked or played on or used in any meaningful way. Sustaining ornamental grass is not a good use of our precious water resources,” Metropolitan General Manager Adel Hagekhalil stated..

The water district has a turf replacement program that offers a $2 per square foot rebate to replace grass and save water.

Not to be left out, the City of Modesto will receive $2.3 million to replace 17.79 acres of decorative grass and landscaping at 21 parks with drought tolerant plants for the communities’ enjoyment, saving the precious resource.

By executive order, Gov. Gavin Newsom called on state agencies to create a Water Resilience Portfolio to identify and prioritize actions to secure California’s water future as part of his water strategy with a conservation budget of $8.5 billion.

in their letter. “The Biden Administration shortchanged border communities when they need support the most. Instead of prioritizing Shelter and Services Program funding to border communities as primarily intended by Congress, they’ve awarded New York City over $100 million without transparency or oversight of how funding levels were determined. This failure puts the future of this program at risk and hurts our communities’ abilities to secure the border, keep communities safe, and ensure the fair and humane treatment of migrants.”

The lawmakers who wrote the letter helped secure $800 million for the Shelter and Services Program in hopes that it would support the border amid the ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Joint Committee Report for FY23

Appropriations says, “The agreement provides $800,000,000 for a Shelter and Services Program (SSP) to support CBP in effectively managing noncitizen processing

and preventing the overcrowding of short-term CBP holding facilities.”

The program was created by Sen. Heinrich and and Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, in a law known as the Emergency Appropriations by Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act.

Arizona got $45.4 million in the first funding round, and expects to receive $23.9 million in the second allocation. California got $44 million in the first funding round, and is set to receive $15 million in this allocation. New Mexico obtained $29 million in the first round of funding, and is expected to receive a higher amount in the second allocation. Yet, Sen. Heinrich’s office notes that New York City got about $30 million in the first round, and will get $104.6 million in the second allocation.

“New York’s allocation constitutes about a third of the total funding in the second allocation,” the release said.

California to fall far short of energy needed to power EV mandate, report says

By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - California will fall 20% short of generating the necessary electricity to meet the state’s 100 percent electric vehicle mandates, according to a new report released by the California freemarket think tank, the Pacific Research Institute.

“California’s green energy mandates will require more energy from the electricity grid instead of fossil fuels, making it less likely that the grid can generate the necessary power,” Dr. Wayne Winegarden and Kerry Jackson, the study’s authors, said in a press release. “These policies jeopardize California’s energy security and, without a miracle leap in technology, are setting us up for future energy shortages.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in 2020 mandating that all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in California starting in 2035 must be zeroemission vehicles.

The report argues that the mandate will create energy shortages in California.

It found that nearly two-thirds of the state’s electricity comes from sources the state does not consider renewable. It also found that the state will need to increase its electricity generation by 20.2% to comply with the EV mandate.

However, the state may actually need more, as the report does not factor in prohibitions on the sale of different gaspowered items.

Additionally, the report said that the state must increase its alternative energy supply by 86% to comply with the electric vehicle mandate.

The report says that developing the wind

and solar necessary to comply with the mandate will require consumers to pay more for electricity.

Dr. Winegarden and Mr. Jackson argue that the state should repeal its mandates and instead focus on market-based climate change policies. They argue that the state’s politicians should promote more pragmatic solutions, including support for the “innovations required to secure a low-emission energy system,” according to the release.

“Energy policy should not be crafted based on the whims of a few hundred policymakers who want to design the future,” Dr. Winegarden and Mr. Jackson said, according to the release. “To meet California’s clean energy goals and keep energy affordable, then promoting innovation must be the priority.”

Building $50M reparations office returns to San Francisco supervisors’ agenda

By LEONARD ROBINSON THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will consider establishing an office to oversee the city’s reparations rollout.

The ordinance, proposed to the board’s Budget and Finance Committee earlier this year, would appropriate $50 million from the city’s general fund to the Human Rights Commission for establishing the Office of Reparations to implement approved recommendations from the San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee.

The measure was referred to the San Francisco Youth Commission earlier this year with no action conducted on the measure to date, according to the commission’s website. The issue is on the June 9 agenda of the city’s Budget and Appropriations Committee. Brent Jalipa, spokesperson for the Budget and Appropriations Committee, did not respond to The Center Square in time for publication. According to a draft reparations plan released in December, approved recommendations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Create and fund a Reparations Stakeholder Authority, or a committee of stakeholders independent of the City and County of San Francisco, to ensure policy initiatives meet the guidelines established by the city in support of racial equity;

The ordinance, proposed to the board’s Budget and Finance Committee earlier this year, would appropriate $50 million from the city’s general fund to the Human Rights Commission for establishing the Office of Reparations

• Provide a lump sum payment of $5 million to eligible Californians;

• Ensure that Black Californians have a minimum income of $97,000 per year;

• Finance a comprehensive debt forgiveness program that clears all educational, personal, credit card and payday loans;

• Convert public housing units to condominiums to be sold for $1 to qualifying residents to boost homeownership. California became the first state in the nation to establish a reparations task force in 2020 under a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The task force, last year, voted to limit reparations to those who are descendants of slaves, as opposed to all Black Californians.

The Senators say that the administration is ignoring “the will of Congress” by providing coastal cities, like New York, more than $100 million to deal with migrants, according to the release.

Forty-four projects have been approved by The Department of Water Resources through its Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Programs.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in 2020 mandating that all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in California starting in 2035 must be zeroemission vehicles.

SPN poll: Majority say feds spend tax dollars poorly

By GLENN MINNIS THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

– Precisely half

(The Center Square)

the respondents polled in a new State Policy Network survey of 2,041 registered voters say the federal government is “failing or doing a poor job” at preventing internal corruption. That’s compared to only 23% of respondents who say the federal government is good or excellent at preventing corruption.

At the same time, well over half of all voters also give lawmakers in Washington D.C. an unsatisfactory mark when it comes to their handling of taxpayer dollars, with 54% agreeing the government deserves a poor or failing mark on the issue. Just 22% of respondents say the federal government does a good or excellent job at spending tax dollars.

By comparison, only 36% of voters

said they see state governments faring as poorly, with just 32% of respondents agreeing that they would give them a poor or failing grade.

“Very little of what happens at the federal level is focused on tangible benefits to people so voters rightly assume that the government is not working for them,” SPN messaging strategist Erin Norman told The Center Square in explaining how so many have come to have such varying views about branches of government.

“People also have experience watching government struggle to respond to urgent needs,” she added. “COVID19 is a great example and spanned two very different administrations showing it’s more than political – it is problems with the very nature of the federal government.”

In addition, only 27% of voters feel the

federal government is good or excellent at effectively getting things done, compared to 34% who say the same about their state government. Only 25% of those surveyed say the federal government is good or excellent at “serving people like me rather than special interest groups.” That’s compared to 37% who say the same about state government.

With just 45% of voters saying they feel

the federal government’s performance is responsive to the needs of their community, Ms. Norman said lawmakers have much work to do to make more voters feel like government is truly at work for them.

“Work should be pushed down to the most local level of government possible where people are more likely to know people from their community involved

in the work and see the tangible benefits to policy,” she said. “It is going to be very hard in today’s environment for people to see the federal government as serving them directly or for the federal government to pivot to more personal service.”

The poll, conducted in partnership with Morning Consult, had a margin of error of 2%.

‘If you want to come and get ideas, this is the place to go’

HoM e s HoW

Continued from Page A1

show was relaxed as people meandered through looking at

different products that might help them get what they want out of their homes.

“The people are really nice, we haven’t found anything we’re going to get, but some things have

sparked some interest,” said Chris Kent, a shopping renovator. “I like the variety of it. We looked at some hot tubs, couches.” The home show is a place where people who want to

improve their home, but are not necessarily sure what they would like, meet companies that aim to help them and sell that product.

“Most of these places you’re

Motion for mental health diversion filed under seal

Continued from Page A1

a motion for mental health diversion, and I filed an opposition to it,” Jennifer Karapetian, supervising deputy district attorney for the DA’s Vulnerable Victim’s Unit, told the NewsPress. “The judge continued the hearing to June 15th.”

The prosecutor said she could not disclose the defendant’s motion for diversion.

“The defense attorney has requested to file their motion under seal so I can’t discuss their motion other than telling you it’s been filed,” she said.

Mr. Brown is charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors in connection with the alleged June 26 break-in at her home which ended in his arrest.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and is being held without bail at the County Jail.

Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly before 8 p.m. to a burglary alarm at a residence on the 200 block of Miramar Avenue in Montecito, according to Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies arrested Mr. Brown on suspicion of stalking, burglary and damaging power lines, all felonies, and misdemeanor allegations of obstruction of a peace officer, violating a court order and tampering with fire-alarm equipment, Ms. Zick said at the time.

Ms. Grande, who celebrated her 29th birthday the same day, was not home at the time. The “Thank U Next” singer reportedly bought her Montecito home in 2020 from Ellen DeGeneres for $6.7 million.

The felony stalking charge filed against Mr. Brown alleges that between Feb. 1, 2021 and June 26, 2022, the defendant, while the subject of a restraining order prohibiting “following, harassing or threatening JANE DOE (Ms. Grande), did willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follow or harass this victim and made a credible threat with the intent that the victim be placed in reasonable fear of death or great bodily injury to himself or herself and his or her immediate family.”

Ms. Grande sought and obtained the restraining order after Mr. Brown reportedly showed up repeatedly at her Los Angeles residence last year, brandishing a weapon and making threatening statements.

He was arrested in September 2021 after he showed up at her LA home with a large hunting knife and threatened her. In an earlier incident, her security team reportedly pepper sprayed him.

The complaint against Mr. Brown also charges him with first-degree residential burglary, a felony, for allegedly breaking into Ms. Grande’s home “with the intent to commit larceny or any felony.”

He also is charged with allegedly cutting a utility line, a felony, in that he did “unlawfully and maliciously take down, remove, injure, obstruct and sever a line, appurtenance and apparatus.”

The two misdemeanors charge him with resisting, obstructing and delaying sheriff’s deputies in the discharge of their duties in connection with the June 26 incident, and with disobeying the civil harassment restraining order that was issued in Los Angeles County.

According to state statute, when pretrial Mental Health Diversion is requested, the

court, in its discretion, and after considering the positions of the defense and prosecution, may grant pretrial diversion to a defendant if he meets the eligibility requirements and is suitable for that diversion.

Eligibility is based on whether a defendant has been diagnosed with a mental disorder including, but not limited to, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder, but excluding antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder and pedophilia.

“Evidence of the defendant’s mental disorder shall be provided by the defense and shall include a diagnosis or treatment for a diagnosed mental disorder within the last five years by a qualified mental health expert,” the statute says.

“In opining that a defendant suffers from a qualifying disorder, the qualified mental health expert may rely on an examination of the defendant, the defendant’s medical records, arrest reports or any other relevant evidence.”

For any defendant who satisfies the eligibility requirements, the court must consider whether the defendant is suitable for pretrial diversion based on a qualified mental health expert stating his symptoms caused, contributed to, or motivated the alleged criminal behavior and that he would respond to mental health treatment.

The defendant would have to consent to diversion, and agree to waive his right to speedy trial. He also must not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety if treated in the community.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

either selling tangible stuff like furniture. Or, a lot of the outside stuff, like cleaning gutters, we do free estimates,” said McKenzie Moore, spokesperson for a local home gutter company. Ms. Moore says for a lot of the companies,

the point of the home show is “meeting potential customers.” Mr. Clark said of the Home Show, “If you want to come and get ideas, this is the place to go.” email: lhibbert@newspress.com

At Lake Cachuma’s maximum level at the point at which water starts spilling over the dam holds 188,030 acre-feet. An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, equivalent to the amount of water consumed annually by 10 people in an urban environment.

Locals browse the displays at the Santa Barbara Home Show at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara on Saturday.

Well over half of all voters also give lawmakers in Washington D.C. an unsatisfactory mark when it comes to their handling of taxpayer dollars, with 54% agreeing the government deserves a poor or failing mark on the issue. Just 22% of respondents say the federal government does a good or excellent job at spending tax dollars.

Life theArts

Celebrating graduations

Seniors at Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos high schools receive diplomas Thursday in joyful arenas

CALENDAR

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. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, has reopened its permanent mineral exhibit of rocks and crystals that is on view in the small hall off the museum’s central courtyard. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which opened April 22, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature.org/minerals.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The James Castle exhibit is on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, see sbma.net.

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

JUNE 14 7 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

JUNE 15 7 p.m. Circus Vargas will present its shows through June 19 at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets cost $19 to $49 for general admission and $49 to $75 for special seating. To purchase, go to circusvargas.com.

7:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Symphony and vocalist Tony DeSare will perform Frank Sinatra’s hits at The Granada, 1214 State St. Tickets for “An Evening with Sinatra” can be purchased at granadasb.org.

JUNE 22

7:30 p.m. The Takács Quartet will perform at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. The Music Academy of the West’s fellows will join the quartet and acclaimed soprano Ana Maria Martinez in a concert featuring works from Tchaikovsky to Brahms to Héctor Campos Parsi and Federico Moreno Torroba. Tickets cost $55 and $60. To purchase, go to lobero.org.

— Dave Mason

Managing

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Frank Sinatra’s hits will be performed by the Santa Barbara Symphony and vocalist Tony DeSare June 15 at The Granada.

At left, as he receives his diploma, a San Marcos High School graduate clasps hands with Principal Dare Holdren at the school’s Warkentin Stadium. At right, graduating senior

Liliana Escamilla addresses her classmates at San Marcos High School.

KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Santa Barbara High School graduates celebrate during the graduation ceremony at the campus’ Peabody Stadium. KENNETH SONG /NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

At left, Dos Pueblos graduates stand with their diplomas. At right, Dos Pueblos High School graduate Diego Diaz addresses his classmates during the graduation ceremony at the school’s Scott O’Leary Stadium.

Goleta Valley Art Association hosts art festival

GOLETA — The Goleta Valley Art Association will hold its second Summer Show and Sale at the Marketplace, an art festival featuring original works by local artists from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17. The festival will take place at the Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta.

“We are so excited to be bringing our outdoor summer show back to the Marketplace,” said Elizabeth Flanagan, president of the organization. “It provides an opportunity for local residents and visitors to take home a piece of original art from members of the Goleta Valley Art Association.”

The show will be held in the outdoor food court area/ A portion of proceeds will benefit ShelterBox, a nonprofit that helps families and individuals after natural disasters around the world. (ShelterBox USA is based in Santa Barbara.)

— Liam Hibbert

Museum returns indigenous ancestral remains

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has returned the remains of two ancestral indigenous Peruvians after having held them since 1925.

The artifacts were originally excavated in 1877 in the northern Lima province of Peru, but were donated to Santa Barbara State College in 1878, before ending up at the museum in 1925.

The Peruvian Ministry of Culture has concluded that these remains are part of Peru’s National Cultural Heritage and will be brought to the Peruvian Government on June 6, at the consulate general in Los Angeles.

“At the museum, we are committed to ensuring that indigenous cultures and communities have the ability to regain custody of their

ancestral remains and funerary objects,” said Luke Swetland, the museum’s president and CEO.

“We have been honored to care for these remains for many years and are grateful that we can transfer custody to the consulate general of Peru in Los Angeles.”

For more information, visit the museum’s website at sbnature. org/repatriation.

— Liam Hibbert

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 Assistance, lompoccapa.org and facebook. com/capaoflompoc. CAPA works regularly with Animal ServicesLompoc.

• 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 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.

Summer Nights teen program to return

By KIRA LOGAN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department has recently announced the return of the Summer Nights teen program. This year, the program will take place at two Boys and Girls Club locations in an effort to reach the largest number of participants possible in spaces familiar to youths.

Summer Nights will run every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning June 23 through July 28. The program will be held at the Westside Boys and Girls Club, located at 602 W. Anapamu Street,

and Bohnett Park from June 23 to July 7 before moving to the downtown Boys and Girls Club, located on 632 E. Canon Perdido St., from July 14 to July 28. It is being held in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Unified School District, as well as the United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara, who are new collaborators.

This will be the program’s second year, and it aims to provide a safe and inclusive space for the teens, with structured recreational activities for youth ages 12 to 17 during the summer.

Funding for the pilot was approved by the Santa Barbara City

Council in July 2021, in response to what the city sees as a lack of safe and free activities for local teens. The program was also seen as a way to address youth violence, according to the city. The evening youth program was held at the end of the academic school year in the summer of 2022. This year’s program will focus on providing a diverse range of activities and experiences, catered to the interests of youth from ages 12 to 17. This includes artistic, enrichment, and sporting activities. The events this year will also feature food from local restaurants. email: klogan@newspress.com

• 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

Ventura College offers degree in Automotive Career Education

By LIAM HIBBERT NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

In 2025-26, Ventura College will offer a four-year bachelor of science degree in Automotive Career Education — the second of its kind in California. The new program comes from a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, aimed to provide students the skills to adapt to a changing automotive industry, namely with electric vehicles in mind. The program is scheduled to launch in time for the college’s 100th anniversary.

“This new bachelor’s degree at Ventura College will unlock the road to success for our students interested in automotive education,“ said Ventura College

President Kim Hoffmans. “As the demand for skilled professionals in the automotive industry continues to surge, we take immense pride in equipping our students with the hands-on training and expertise they need to thrive.”

Courses in the program will be offered with low or zero textbook cost. The school will also offer the program’s upper division coursework fully online.

The bachelor’s program will focus on specializing in vehicle electrification, advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicle systems.

“This program will open many doors for career advancement to students in Ventura County and throughout the state,” said

Dean of Career Education Felicia Dueñas. “Offering a bachelor of science degree through community college makes a high-quality program affordable and accessible to those who have traditionally been unable to pursue a baccalaureate education.”

The school says the program is designed for students seeking to work as master technicians trained on new and emerging technology and for current automotive master technicians looking for career advancement opportunities.

To learn more, visit venturacollege.edu/departments/ academic/automotive.

email: lhibbert@newspress.com

Library launches reading program

SANTA MARIA — The Santa Maria Public Library’s 2023

Summer Reading Program: Find Your Voice is open and runs through July 31. This program serves every age level, from toddlers to adults. Participants may sign up at any of the Santa Maria Public Library locations. That includes the Main

Library, 421 S. McClelland St. Each program offers activities and challenges, and prizes for reading based upon age level. Drawings for additional prizes will occur at the end of the program for all those that complete the program. Studies find that students who participate in public library

reading programs scored higher on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the next school than non-participants, according to a news release. For more information, check the library calendar of events at www. cityofsantamaria.org/library.

— Liam Hibbert

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA PHOTO

Organizers for the Summer Nights event will lead activities and events throughout the summer.

VENTURA COLLEGE PHOTO Ventura College is offering a four-year bachelor’s degree program in Automotive Career Education.

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, June 12, 2023

Aries: Your mind may be going in many different directions, with fantastic ideas about how things should be done, Aries. The difficulty is communicating these ideas in a way that makes sense. Others may see you as a threat to their authority. Perhaps they feel your ideas would undermine their plans, so they reject them. Don’t give up.

Taurus: In a philosophical or political conversation, you don’t hesitate to offer your thoughts, Taurus. Your examples may be extreme, but your principles are sound. You may get in over your head before you know it and suddenly need an escape route. Your first reaction may be to change the subject. It’s better to admit you don’t know the answer or don’t understand the question.

Gemini: You should be in a good mood, Gemini, although you might have a hard time fully expressing yourself. Perhaps you feel like there is someone keeping an eye on your every move. You may feel like a kid in class being watched by the teacher. Don’t be intimidated by those with a selfrighteous air.

Cancer: You may get the feeling that despite all the hard work you’ve accomplished, something is still missing, Cancer. There’s still a long road ahead, regardless of the goals you’ve attained so far. Perhaps the thing you’re searching for is a tender moment with a loved one, something that’s much closer than you think.

Leo: Freedom may be a theme for you today, Leo. You’re beginning to question what it is you’re trying to free yourself from.

A person? Job? Commitment?

These may be the very things you start to search for as soon as you’re free of them. Trying to figure out what you want and need in life is sometimes easier said than done.

Virgo: You’re the liquid that takes the shape of its container, Virgo. Even though this may seem like the most non-confrontational way to do things, you may find that it’s actually a cause of great frustration for you and others. People may be annoyed that you’re always following someone else’s lead instead of taking the initiative. Try to be more assertive while continuing to be easygoing.

Libra: You may feel like a puppy

that has been let outside for the first time, Libra. The air is warm and you’re full of energy. You’re ready to run over the fields and hills. Unfortunately, you’re tied to a stake and you can’t move beyond a ten-foot radius. Your heart is ready to fly, but something beyond your control keeps you where you are.

Scorpio: You may feel a strange tension. It seems that nothing you say or do is quite right, Scorpio. As much as you may try to do the correct thing, you can’t make things click the way you’d like. Try not to raise your expectations too high. Let go of the idea that things are going to work out exactly the way you want.

Sagittarius: It may be hard for you to maintain your selfdiscipline, Sagittarius. Your childlike nature wants to go out and play. Emotionally, you’re anxious to let loose and follow your playful, instinctual nature, yet your sense of responsibility is holding you back. This difficult internal tension may be the cause of irritation in many different areas of your life. Do your best to come to a place of balance and harmony.

Capricorn: If you’re unclear about the topic of discussion, say so, Capricorn. Asking questions is an important part of learning. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask. Communication may take on a serious tone, and intellectual discussions are likely to get heated. Bring up political topics at the dinner table and give everyone a chance to speak on the matter.

Aquarius: You may be shy when it comes to expressing your emotions today, Aquarius. This could be a rare thing for you. Other people may wonder if something is wrong. The truth is, you may feel like you need to calm down and focus more of your attention inward instead of directing it outward. Don’t look to others to resolve your problems.

Pisces: You may not know which way to turn, Pisces. You may be emotionally weighed down by sentimental feelings and memories that bind you to the past. You may also feel restricted by authority figures who’ve been around the block more times than you, and therefore feel they have the right to tell you how to run your life.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Monday, June 12, 2023

Say you’re declarer at a four-heart contract (such as today’s). You have four potential losers, but if you can lose two of them on the same trick(!), you will be home.

Sound like a good deal? That is the basis for the loser-on-loser play, a technique with wide application.

Today’s declarer played at four hearts after West had overcalled in clubs. West led the king of clubs and continued with the ace, and South ruffed.

South rightly suspected that West had the ace of diamonds as part of his bid, vulnerable. South could have played West for the doubleton ace but found a better line.

LAST SPADE

South drew trumps, went to the ace of spades, ruffed a club, took the king of spades and ruffed his last spade in dummy. He next led dummy’s last club — and threw a diamond, trading one loser for another.

When West won, he had no winning return. If West took his ace of diamonds, South’s king would score. If West led a club, South would ruff in dummy and throw another diamond.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: 10 5

8 6. You open one club, and your partner bids one heart. The

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

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

opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: The rules don’t allow fractional bids, but if they did, I would rebid two and five-eighths clubs. If you held 10 5, 6 3, A 6 5, A K J 8 6 2, you would have an obvious two-club rebid; with 10 5, 6 3, A Q 5, A K Q J 8 6, three clubs would be clear. The actual hand is on the fence. I would rebid two clubs and hope to hear more from partner.

South dealer Both sides vulnerable

(805) 805-564-5247

Washington

farmers blame Canada for contaminated water

By TJ MARTINELL THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - A northern Washington farmer advocacy group is calling on Gov. Jay Inslee to act swiftly to address poor water quality in their region due to what they claim is contamination flowing from rivers originating in Canada.

In their June 6 letter to Inslee, Whatcom Family Farmers Executive Director Fred Likkel and Northern Lynden Water Improvement District President Larry Stap described the Nooksack River Basin as contaminated with “extremely high levels of bacteria” coming from the other side of the Canadian border.

“Given the current issues surrounding international flooding, as well as issues surrounding water rights and an impending adjudication of water rights in Whatcom County, immediate action is imperative on this subject,” the letter states.

Among the entities that regularly conduct water quality tests in the watershed is Whatcom County. According to its May 2023 test, numerous tributaries for the basin and several of the 20 sample sites failed the health benchmark for acceptable levels of fecal coliform.

“Our experience here in Whatcom County has shown that water contamination this severe only comes from direct discharges to waterways,” the June 6 letter states. “Efforts to step up monitoring and enforcement in Canada would most likely have an immediate impact.”

The letter also noted that the Lummi Nation located north of Bellingham voluntarily closed more than 300 acres of Portage Bay to shellfish harvesting due to the poor water quality. Although the nation has since reopened, the letter warns that “the continued high level of Canadian contamination poses an ongoing threat to these shellfish beds and consequently to the health of those who may consume shellfish from this important and traditional harvest area.”

Water quality has been an ongoing problem for the watershed. The British Columbia - Washington Nooksack River Transboundary Technical Collaboration Group (TCG) was formed in 2018 to find ways to reduce the amount of fecal bacteria. After studying the issue for several years, it “did not achieve the project’s short-term border benchmark at all border locations. The Nooksack River continues to deposit fecal bacteria into Portage Bay where portions of the Lummi Nation’s Shellfish Growing Area fail to meet standards to allow year-round shellfish harvesting.”

The group’s report recommended “an ongoing integrated approach to bring watershed stakeholders together. This could be achieved by creating a B.C. WA Nooksack River Transboundary Community of Practice involving partners and stakeholders across agencies and local stakeholders. Partnership for Water Sustainability or the Canada Water Agency are potential leads for coordinating B.C.s participation in this project platform.”

Although the TCG is supposed to be monitoring water quality on the Canadian side of the border, the June 6 letter claimed that Canadian authorities have eliminated its staff. “This action is impeding progress on this crucial issue.”

In an email to The Center Square, Gov. Inslee’s Communication Manager Mike Faulk wrote that their policy staff plan to schedule a meeting with the letter’s authors to discuss the issue.

“We share the concerns about high levels of fecal bacteria in the Nooksack River Basin and how that’s affecting water quality, shellfish, and the broader river ecosystem,” he wrote. “The Whatcom Clean Water Program partners have been working hard with landowners to control fecal bacteria pollution sources in Whatcom County for many years.”

He added: “Our Department of Ecology, working with Whatcom Clean Water Program partners, is currently engaged with the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy on how to continue partnership on this important issue.”

Weapon delays affect military’s ability to meet threats, report finds

By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – Despite recent reforms, the U.S. Department of Defense has had challenges bringing new weapons to the battlefield, according to a new report.

More than half of the 26 major defense acquisition programs reported new delays.

At the same time, net costs increased by $37 billion, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

“The Department of Defense continues to face challenges quickly developing innovative new weapons,” according to the report.

“These challenges persist even with recent reforms to its acquisition process intended to help deliver systems to the warfighter in a timelier manner.”

The delays affect some of the military’s most expensive weapon systems and every branch of the military, including the Space Force. In 2020, the Department of Defense revamped its acquisition policies. The policy changes responded to statutory provisions “and longstanding concerns from some members of Congress that the defense acquisition

process was overly bureaucratic and too slow,” according to the report.

“Driving factors included supplier disruptions, software development delays and quality control deficiencies,” the report found.

“Additionally, these programs continue to make investment decisions without sufficient knowledge, which can increase the risk of delays.”

Comptroller General of the United States

Gene Dodaro said more needs to be done.

“We continue to see far more programs, however, experiencing delays in delivering capabilities,” he wrote. “More than half of the major defense acquisition programs that we reviewed that have yet to deliver capabilities reported schedule slips over the past year.”

He said changes could help speed up the process at a critical time for the U.S.

“The 2022 National Security Strategy describes the U.S. as being in the early years of a decisive decade, in which the U.S. must ensure it is well prepared to deter or counter adversaries,” he wrote. “Given their planned fielding time frames, the weapon systems in this report form an essential part of this deterrence.”

Special counsel in Trump documents case says laws ‘apply to everyone’

By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – The special counsel investigating former President Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents said the rule of law in the United States applies to all.

Jack Smith, special counsel with the U.S. Department of Justice, spoke briefly at a news conference Friday afternoon, just hours after the 37-count indictment against Mr. Trump was unsealed.

The indictment alleges the former president kept sensitive military documents, shared them with people who didn’t have security clearance, and tried to evade efforts to get them back.

“The men and women of the United States intelligence community and our armed forces dedicate their lives to protecting our nation and its people,” Mr. Smith said. “Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and

security of the United States and they must be enforced.”

Mr. Smith said breaking such laws puts the nation in jeopardy.

“Violations of those laws put our country at risk,” he said. “Adherence to the rule of law is a bedrock principle of the Department of Justice and our nation’s commitment to the rule of law sets an example for the world. We have one set of laws in this country and they apply to everyone.”

Mr. Trump has denied wrongdoing and said he is innocent. The former president has said he is the target of a witch hunt.

Mr. Smith did not take questions at the news conference after making his statement.

In 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided Trump-owned properties seeking classified documents.

Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticized the investigations against him, calling it election interference. Mr. Trump is leading early polls for the 2024 Republican nomination.

After months and millions in taxpayer funds, Camp Hope is empty

By TIMOTHY SCHUMANN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – After years of debate and millions of dollars spent, Spokane’s Camp Hope has reached the end of the road. This morning the last resident moved out of what was, just one year ago, the state’s largest encampment home to some 600 individuals.

The closing comes after 18 months and millions of dollars spent across several state agencies and local authorities in Spokane.

“The situation at Camp Hope highlighted the scale and complexity of our housing and homelessness efforts in Spokane and across the state. This work requires collaboration with local governments and community partners,” said Governor Jay Inslee in a statement before going on to highlight his administration’s efforts to “connect more people to safe, stable housing.”

The Washington State Department of Transportation issued its own statement.

“WSDOT is grateful to each and every service provider that worked hard to resolve Camp Hope in a safe, humane, respectful way while meeting the needs of those living unsheltered,” said Roger Millar, Secretary of the WSDOT.

“It is our hope that the housing and services provided by the state Right of Way Safety Initiative breaks their individual cycle of homelessness.” The Right of Way Safety Initiative mentioned provided $25 million for housing and services and an additional $15 million by way of the Catalyst Project run by Catholic Charities, all exclusively for assisting individuals at Camp Hope.

Another agency involved in the process, the Department of Commerce, added that over the last two years, they have invested “over $43

million in capital and $42.5 million in operating funds for emergency and permanent supportive housing, rent vouchers and other programs” in Spokane county alone.

In total, the various agencies have spent $125.5 million over the last two years.

Despite this, the most recent count shows 2,390 people from 2,136 households were counted as homeless this year. This is a significant increase compared to the 2022 numbers, as previously reported by The Center Square, rising 36% and 41%, respectively, for individuals and households when compared with 2023.

Asking about the future of the site and what the city can do to ensure things don’t return to the state they were a year ago, City Communications Director Brian Coddington told The Center Square they’re working on new solutions.

“There are still people on site working to break it down, and you’ll probably see that work for the next week or so, including remediation, cleanup, etc. The state has also posted no trespassing signs,” said Mr. Coddington via phone.

He added that the city now has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant state agencies allowing them to remove trespassing individuals from the property, which was not the case until recently.

Many of the relevant laws around camping on public property stem from the case of Martin vs. Boise, decided in the 9th District Court of Appeals. In that decision, it was ruled that municipalities cannot enforce ‘no camping ordinances’ if they do not have enough beds available in their homeless shelters.

A ruling that ultimately cost the City of Boise roughly $1.8 million.

Slain Washington teen’s family sues over CHOP death

By LOGAN WASHBURN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – A teenager’s family is suing officials for his 2020 death in Seattle’s Capitol Hill Organized Protest zone.

“We entrust our leaders to provide a safe environment in which to live,” said Evan Oshan, the family’s lawyer. “They’ve let us down.”

Sixteen-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. was fatally shot on June 29, 2020, according to a press release. Oshan and Associates is representing Antonio’s estate and his father, Antonio Mays Sr., in suing the City of Seattle, former mayor Jenny Anne Durkan, City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant, King County and the state of Washington. The firm filed a summons and complaint yesterday. The suit alleges the government neglected its duty to protect Antonio from violence. He joined CHOP thinking it was a peaceful

protest, plaintiffs claim but was ultimately shot by the zone’s makeshift security. The Seattle Police Department posted footage of violence in the zone from the night of Antonio’s death.

“Antonio soon realized that there was nothing peaceful about CHOP,” the suit reads. “Mays Jr. was shot and bled out while trying to escape while being barricaded at the ‘CHOP.’”

He and a 14-year-old boy were shot in a white Jeep early in the morning, according to The New York Post. The younger boy survived.

CHOP “good Samaritans” brought Antonio out of the zone just after 3 a.m., according to the suit, but allegedly had to chase a fleeing ambulance, and he died before reaching help.

The suit alleges first responders neglected their duty to help Antonio.

The suit also claims city officials enabled the creation of CHOP and the rule of its “warlord,” who armed the zone’s participants with rifles.

“Despite knowledge of the violence, chaos, danger, and potential danger, Seattle leaders

failed Antonio and encouraged lawlessness,” the suit reads. “The ‘Summer of Love’ inevitably turned into the ‘summer of blood.’”

The city reached a $3.65 million settlement with business owners in February for damage done by CHOP, according to MyNorthwest. U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly had cited a report in January that found city officials deleted thousands of text messages, potentially with evidence of how they handled CHOP.

Mr. Oshan filed a complaint to the city’s Office of Police Accountability on Monday, demanding an internal affairs investigation of the response to Antonio’s death.

“The failure of city officials to accept responsibility is outrageous and unacceptable,” Mr. Oshan said. “We demand an inquiry by federal authorities to look into the wrongdoings of all those involved.”

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office declined to comment, as it has not yet thoroughly reviewed the suit.