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Drivers, beware Expect packed freeways on SoCal’s third busiest Fourth of July weekend
Newsom declares state of emergency in SB County Governor takes actions to mitigate impact of wildfires By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR
(The Center Square) – Gov. Gavin Newsom took a few different actions to mitigate the impact of California’s wildfires. One of them was to declare a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County, which allowed Caltrans to seek money in the aftermath of last fall’s Alisal Fire and eases access to unemployment benefits. “The emergency proclamations enable Caltrans to request immediate federal assistance for highway repairs or reconstruction in Santa Barbara and Monterey counties,” according to a press release issued Friday from the governor’s office. “The emergency proclamation for Santa Barbara County directs the Office of Emergency Services to assist recovery efforts in the county pursuant to the California Disaster Assistance Act, and includes a provision to ease access
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
This Fourth of July weekend is projected to be the third busiest Independence Day weekend for travelers in Southern California. An estimated 3.3 million people will be traveling, according to the American Automobile Association. Of them, 2.7 million are expected to be in their cars, packing freeways on the holiday weekend that started Thursday and extends to Monday. “The busiest days on the road this weekend
are Thursday and Friday, especially in the afternoon hours between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m.,” Doug Shupe, corporate communications manager for AAA of Southern California, told the News-Press. “We aren’t expecting that it will deter most people from automobile travel. It is 0.2% higher this Fourth of July than last year,” Mr. Shupe said Friday. “Overall, travel volume is 3.7% higher than last year, for a trip 50 miles or more from home. This past Memorial Day was 5% higher than last year for automobile travel.”
Mr. Shupe spoke to how the ever-rising gas prices will affect holiday travel. “There is no doubt that the increase has led to adjustments in travel for shorter distances, shorter trips, packing food or staying with family rather than hotels,” he said. “People are prioritizing budgets for travel. “For most people, it (the gas price) is not deterring travelers. People are more willing to make adjustments to their daily routine — carpooling, biking, walking and taking public transit etc. People want to enjoy and connect Please see WEEKEND on A10
Lawmakers note historic swearing-in of Justice Jackson By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in Thursday as the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. And with that, history was made. The constitutional and judicial oaths were administered respectively by Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer, who is now retired. Justice Jackson is succeeding Justice Breyer, maintaining the bloc of three liberal justices in the ninemember court. A formal investiture ceremony will take place in the fall. Lawmakers representing Santa Barbara County praised the historic moment. “At a time when the radical Supreme Court is setting our nation back decades in time, seeing our newest Justice join the court reminds us that progress is still possible & that we still have champions for the people on the bench,” said U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, in a tweet Friday. U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif.,
From left, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Rep. Salud Carbajal and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla
expressed gratitude in his tweet on Thursday. “Today, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson ascended to the highest court of our land, where her voice is needed now more than ever. I’m grateful for the perspective she brings to the bench, the service she will provide to our nation, & the future generations her story will inspire.” In a statement issued by the Supreme Court, Justice Jackson said, “With a full heart, I accept
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the solemn responsibility of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor, so help me God. I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great Nation. I extend my sincerest thanks to all of my new colleagues for their warm and gracious welcome.” Not only is Justice Jackson the first female black woman to serve on the court, but this is the first time that four female
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justices will serve together on the court. Justice Jackson joins fellow liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan and conservative justice Amy Coney Barrett. Justice Jackson is the 116th member to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. “I am honored that the very first judicial nominee I selected as president — the brilliant lawyer who became ‘Judge Please see JACKSON on A10
to unemployment benefits for those unemployed as a result of the Alisal Fire.” In addition to telling residents to obey emergency officials and the Office of Emergency Services to offer assistance to Please see EMERGENCY on A10
Aceves seeks re-election to Goleta City Council By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Goleta City Councilmember Roger Aceves announced Friday he’s seeking re-election. He is running in the newly drawn 1st District. This is the first year that council members are being elected by voters in specific districts. “Goleta has come a long way since I moved here in 1983. I’m excited to be able to focus my efforts on my neighborhood — the 1st District,” Mr. Aceves said Friday in a statement. “I humbly ask the residents of this district for their support to represent them on the Goleta City Council for another term.” Councilmember Aceves is campaigning on a platform stressing road maintenance, public parks and fiscal responsibility. “Just as you prioritize your spending, so should the city of Goleta,” he said. He explained that’s why he opposes the 1% increase — or an additional 1 cent on every dollar — in the sales tax that the Goleta City Council recently decided to add to the Nov. 8 ballot. Mr. Aceves was the only council member to vote against placing the proposed sales tax increase on the ballot. The other four members voted for putting the measure before voters in the general election. Mr. Aceves, who served for 32 years in law enforcement, has emphasized the importance of keeping the community safe and successful for residents and businesses. Mr. Aceves has been a member of the Goleta City Council since 2006. He has served on
RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS FILE
Roger Aceves
committees covering everything from diversity to public safety and emergency preparedness. He has also served on boards of nonprofits varying from Old Spanish Days and Pacific Pride Foundation to the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation and the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge. He was recently elected board president of the United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County. In 2020, he ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte. His campaign website is www. rogeraceves.com. In other local races, Mark Infanti is running to succeed Solvang Mayor Charlie Uhrig, who isn’t seeking re-election. Mr. Infanti plans to officially announce his candidacy Wednesday in Solvang. email: dmason@newspress.com
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in sid e Classified.............. A6 Life..................... A7-8 Obituaries........... A10
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ELECTION 2022
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Fourth of July weekend travel was heavy Friday on Highway 101, as seen from A West Anapamu Street footbridge in Santa Barbara. The American Automobile Association estimated 2.7 million motorists will be traveling this Fourth of July weekend in Southern California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom
Sudoku................. A9 Weather.............. A10
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 12-19-25-38-46 Mega: 15
Friday’s DAILY 4: 9-7-1-3
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 1-27-29-38-62 Mega: 12
Friday’s FANTASY 5: 7-8-11-22-24
Friday’s DAILY DERBY: 12-10-03 Time: 1:42.58
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 8-40-49-58-63 Meganumber: 14
Friday’s DAILY 3: 1-1-1 / Midday 6-2-8