Eco Hero awards
Gun violence prevention
Mycologist, Cinematographer to receive honors from Santa Barbara Permaculture Network - B1
California to spend $156 million on programs meant to prevent violence involving firearms - B4
Our 167th Year
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S AT U R DAY, J U N E 11, 2 0 2 2
Going the distance to help AIDS/LifeCycle bicyclists stop in Goleta during trek from San Francisco to L.A.
Gas prices hit new record, expected to pass $5 nationally this weekend By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE
(The Center Square) – Gas prices hit yet another record Friday as they teeter on the edge of a national average price of $5 per gallon of regular gas. According to AAA, the national average gas price is $4.99, the highest ever recorded. That is a major increase from last week, when the average price was $4.76, or last month when it was $4.37. California leads the nation at $6.42 per gallon, while in Santa Barbara the price is $6.335 per gallon. The national average this time a year ago was $3.07 for regular gasoline. Several states have passed the $5 mark in recent days, and the U.S. is expected to do the same as a whole over the weekend. President Joe Biden has taken flak for the price increases.
President Biden has pointed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how it disturbed global oil markets. His critics point out prices were already rising before the invasion and take issue with his work to prevent oil drilling and pipeline development. “Gas prices across the nation have doubled since Joe Biden took office,” U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., wrote on Twitter. “Hardworking families cannot afford his failed policies.” Diesel prices also topped a record high Friday at $5.75. The cost of gasoline is driving record inflation. The U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday that consumer prices on everything from food to clothing to energy rose to 8.6% in May over the same period last year. News-Press Associate Editor Matt Smolensky contributed to this report.
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Participants in AIDS/LifeCycle depart from Girsh Park in Goleta after a break in their 545-mile journey between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Thousands of bicyclists and volunteers stopped in Goleta Friday during their 545-mile journey during AIDS/LifeCycle. On Friday, cyclists covered the approximately 90 miles from Lompoc to Ventura, part of their seven-day journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles. “We’re here in Santa Barbara, and it’s Day 6 on AIDS/LifeCycle. I’m a first-time rider (in AIDS/ LifeCycle), and I’m really
excited,” Los Angeles bicyclist Alfredo Trejo said. “It’s been a hard journey, but what’s been inspiring has been talking to all of the other riders and volunteer ‘roadies,’ hearing what has motivated them to take on this challenge of traveling 545 miles down the state of California — and knowing that we’re all in this cause together, so that we do not have any new HIV infections.” The trek includes more than 2,400 cyclists and 600 volunteer “roadies’’ who started the journey after raising $17.8 million for the
San Francisco AIDS Foundation and HIV-related services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The participants include HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. And they include members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The bicyclists vary from ages 18 to 81, and they’re from nearly every state as well as 14 countries. “Participants must raise a minimum of $3,000 in order to participate. and most participants exceed the
minimum amount,” said Emily Land, director of marketing and communications for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. “Most participants do peerto-peer fundraising, where they share the personal story about how they are connected to AIDS/HIV and why they are participating in the ride,” Ms. Land told the News-Press. On Friday, the bicyclists started in the morning at Riverbend Park in Lompoc, stopped for lunch at Please see LIFECYCLE on A4
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS
Gas prices exceed $6 a gallon at a Mobil station on Glen Annie Road in Goleta.
Candidate Christy Lozano asks voters to check on their ballots By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Christy Lozano, the candidate who ran against Susan Salcido, the Santa Barbara County superintendent of schools, has issued a statement following the county’s reported election statistics showing Dr. Salcido ahead in the race. “I am proud to have run the first campaign in 40 years to challenge
AIDS/LifeCycle raised $17.8 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV-related services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
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Christy Lozano, left, and Susan Salcido
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the unaccountable Santa Barbara county superintendent of schools position,” Ms. Lozano said in her statement to the News-Press. She expressed thanks to those who voted for her instead of for the status quo. “I am looking forward to making a full statement once all the ballots are fully and accurately counted,” Ms. Lozano said. “And that’s where I need Please see BALLOTS on A3
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Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 1-32-34-41-42 Mega: 22
Friday’s DAILY 4: 5-1-4-5
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 3-12-14-18-32 Mega: 4
Friday’s FANTASY 5: 1-3-11-17-23
Friday’s DAILY DERBY: 10-12-07 Time: 1:45.25
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 22-39-43-62-64 Meganumber: 7
Friday’s DAILY 3: 2-8-6 / Midday 1-3-1