Santa Barbara News-Press: January 06, 2022 by Santa Barbara News-Press

Schools wait for COVID-19 test kits

Making sense of ‘The Matrix: Resurrections’

Most of California’s counties haven’t seen their full allotments - A3

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SB gets $7.3 million from sales tax City’s fall figures up 23% from same period in 2020 By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The city of Santa Barbara received $7.3 million in sales tax revenue for the quarter that ended Sept. 30. This is 23% higher than for the same quarter in 2020. The city attributed the increase in large part due to increased activity since last year when the pandemic was still in its peak. Other contributing factors are the effects of higher inflation, continued growth in online sales and the

collection of deferred sales taxes, according to a news release. The deferred sales tax was instituted by Gov. Gavin Newsom as an early COVID-19 relief measure for businesses. Due to the new COVID-19 omicron variant, the following quarters could reflect a negative impact on economic activity, according to the city. The September quarter is the first quarter of the city’s fiscal year, and the sales tax revenue budget for the entire fiscal year is $23.2 million.

Transient Occupancy Taxes amounted to $2.2 million in November. This is approximately $990,000 higher than TOT collections in 2020 for the same month, when stricter COVID-19 restrictions and travel advisories were in place. This is also 39% higher than November 2019, but this is largely due to increased daily average rates, which are also 39% higher than in 2019. The increase in TOT money comes with the recent improvement in the local travel industry. There has been steady improvement in the demand for rooms throughout the fall with the lifting of travel advisories

and the broad availability of vaccinations, according to the city of Santa Barbara. The city has collected $14.8 million through November, the fifth month in the city’s fiscal year. The city’s budgeted funds from TOT is $23.4 million, of which $19.5 million is slated for the General Fund. The city’s TOT tax rate is 12%. Ten percent goes to the city’s general fund, and the remaining 2% goes to the Creeks/Clean Water Fund. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

50 more COVID cases at SB jail By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Volunteers are scheduled to gather Saturday to prune the flowers at the A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden, which is located across from the Santa Barbara Mission.

Rose Pruning Day returns

Fifty additional COVID-19 cases related to the Main Jail outbreak, which began Dec. 8, have been identified. Fifty-four COVID-positive cases have recovered since the last update, and there are now 83 active cases at the Santa Barbara jail, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. There has been a total of 169 cases in this outbreak, which includes 82 recovered cases and four inmates who were released. All COVID-positive inmates are continuously monitored by custody staff and the county’s Wellpath partners. None of the COVID positive inmates in this outbreak have required hospitalization, Thirty inmates have reported being symptomatic, 138 are asymptomatic and one inmate declined to discuss the presence or absence of symptoms. The sheriff’s office said COVID-positive inmates are moved to an area of the facility with negative pressure cells. The rest are placed in small groups and isolated from the other inmates. Inmates who have been exposed but not tested positive

are also isolated. Inmates with severe symptoms or who have underlying health conditions are transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment, although none of the inmates in this outbreak have necessitated hospital transport. At the request of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, the California Department of Public Health has assisted with testing at the Main Jail and has provided a team of medical professionals who will remain in the facility for the duration of this outbreak. Inmates are tested when they arrive in the jail’s custody and are housed separately from the general population during the initial 10 days of their stay, according to the sheriff’s office. They are tested again before they are moved out of the quarantine area into other areas of the facility. Inmates are tested whenever they exhibit symptoms and whenever they might have been exposed to someone who has tested positive. The sheriff’s office continues to offer all three of the COVID vaccines to all inmates in its care. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Special day planned at A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

The iconic garden contains more than 1,500 rose bushes.

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Rose Pruning Day will return Saturday at the iconic rose garden near the Santa Barbara Mission. The Rose Society and the Santa Barbara Department of Parks and Recreation invites the community to attend the annual A. C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden pruning event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “The timeless beauty of the roses is nothing without the care and dedication from all of our volunteers,” Parks Supervisor Ramiro Arroyo said. “Every year, there are comments made about how magnificent the roses look when they bloom after each pruning, and every year we think they look better than the year before.” The iconic garden is located in Mission Historical Park across

from the Santa Barbara Mission and contains more than 1,500 rose bushes. The Parks and Recreation department staff and Rose Society members care for the rose bushes throughout the year. “The mission rose garden is a special place that is enjoyed by so many people from many different places. Without question, visitors and locals take in the magnificence of the garden that has been tended to by our volunteers and city parks staff,” Mr. Arroyo told the News-Press Wednesday in an email. “The garden would be nothing without their hard work and commitment especially during the annual pruning that takes place every January. There isn’t a year that goes by that people aren’t in awe of the beauty of the garden in its Please see ROSES on A2

RAFAEL MALDONADO/NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reports there are now 83 active COVID-19 cases at the Main Jail, the Santa Barbara site where an outbreak started Dec. 8.

INSIDE

L O T T E RY RESULTS

Classified...............B4 Life..................... B1-3 Obituaries...............A4

Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 2-9-17-20-25 Meganumber: 7

Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 8-7-1-2

Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 4-6-16-21-22 Meganumber: 1

Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 1-6-8-18-38

Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 10-06-02 Time: 1:45.23

Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 6-14-25-33-46

Sudoku...................B3 Sports ...................A2 Weather.................A4

Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 6-7-5 / Wednesday’s Midday 8-0-3

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

Annual pruning to bring springtime blooms ROSES

Continued from Page A1 first blooming cycle.” Training and refreshments will be provided. Volunteers are asked to bring a pair of garden gloves and pruning shears. The garden is opposite the Santa Barbara Mission, on Plaza Rubio between Laguna Street and Emerson Avenue. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS

"The timeless beauty of the roses is nothing without the care and dedication from all of our volunteers,” Santa Barbara Parks Supervisor Ramiro Arroyo said.

Santa Barbara County reported 879 new COVID-19 cases and one death Wednesday. The decedent was in the 5069 age group, had underlying medical conditions and resided in the Lompoc area. The death wasn’t associated with a congregate care site, according to the county Public Health Department. Of the 879 new cases, the highest number, 251, was in Santa Barbara and unincorporated Mission Canyon. Elsewhere, 108 cases were reported in Goleta. And 84 cases were found in unincorporated Goleta Valley and Gaviota. Seventy-three cases were reported in Isla Vista. One hundred and three cases were seen in Lompoc and neighboring Mission Hills and Vandenberg Village. Eighty-seven cases were in Santa Maria. Neighboring Orcutt had 36 cases. Nine cases were in the North

email: dmason@newspress.com

Westmont limits fan attendance By RON SMITH WESTMONT SPORTS WRITER

Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 infections in Santa Barbara County and throughout the state, Westmont College has announced changes to its fan attendance policy for indoor events. The goal of the new policy is to limit the transmission of the virus on campus to protect student-athletes, students, faculty and staff as well as fans. Beginning immediately, home men's and women's basketball games will be limited to 100 Westmont fans and 20 visiting fans. All fans will be required to wear masks and to maintain at least six feet of distance from anyone who is not in their household. In addition, all fans will be required to show proof of vaccination for entry into

Uninvited table guest KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS

A man attempting to enjoy his lunch shoos a pigeon away at the Santa Barbara Harbor Wednesday.

the game. This policy will be in force at least through the month of January. The fan policies for away games are determined by the home institution. Menlo College has announced that no fans will be admitted to their home basketball games. Fans who wish to attend Warrior road games should check the attendance policies on the home team's website. Video broadcasts of all home games will be available online at athletics.westmont.edu/video. The home broadcasts can also be accessed on Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku. Ron Smith is the sports information director at Westmont College. email: sports@newspress.com

SANTA MARIA — After the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Marian Regional Medical Center has decided to reinstate limited patient visitation. The following rules took effect Wednesday at the Santa Maria hospital. — One visitor, per day, may accompany a patient (with the exception of the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units at Marian Regional Medical Center). — At the discretion of ER staff, one visitor may be permitted to accompany patients in the Emergency Department.

— For labor and delivery, one care partner and a doula are permitted — The main hospital lobby and outpatient lobbies areas are closed to the public — All visitors must be vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test performed within 72 hours of their visit. — Masks, covering the nose and mouth, must be worn all times during visits to the hospital. — Special consideration is given on a case-by-case basis for compassionate care.

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Boys soccer: San Marcos defeats Dos Pueblos GOLETA — San Marcos High School beat the Dos Pueblos boys soccer team 5-0 Tuesday at the latter’s campus. “San Marcos played a strong game tonight and was able to

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At-risk person rescued SANTA MARIA —Law enforcement and a volunteer team rescued a missing at-risk adult last weekend. At 4:14 a.m. Saturday, the Santa Maria Police Department requested assistance from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office in locating the adult, who had been missing for several hours in the area of South Pine and West Boone streets. The missing person had been enrolled in the Project Lifesaver Program, in which participants are given special wristbands with transmitters that emit silent signals that are only picked up by special receivers and directional antennas. According to the sheriff’s office, the electrical monitoring system locates persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, Down's syndrome or similar cognitive disorders that can

cause the individual to wander due to confusion. Participants in the program wear a wristwatchsized transmitter which sends out a unique radio frequency. The transmitter is part of a nonremovable bracelet at the wrist or ankle. When the sheriff’s office received the request for help, 10 SAR volunteer team members responded to search for the missing person. The team tracked the missing person to Main Street, near Blosser and continued narrowing its search area. After an hour of searching, the team found the individual lying in a muddy field on West Main Street between Blosser and Black Road. The team helped the individual, who had been unable to get up; his clothing was soaked and covered in mud. — Katherine Zehnder

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County areas that include Sisquoc, Casmalia, Garey, Cuyama, New Cuyama and Guadalupe. Santa Ynez Valley reported 42 cases. Thirty-four cases were in the South Coast corridor, which includes Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria. The locations of 52 cases were pending. Sixty-four patients are recovering in county hospitals. Another nine are recovering in intensive care units. Santa Barbara County now has a total of 53,339 cases, of which 4,242 are still infectious. The total number of deaths is now 568. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department reported that 68.9% of the eligible 5-and-older population is fully vaccinated. Of the entire county population (all ages), 64.8% is fully vaccinated. All numbers are provided by the health department.

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Millions of Americans are calling it quits By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE SENIOR REPORTER

(The Center Square) — The U.S. showed strong job gains in December, but a record number of Americans continue to leave the workforce voluntarily. ADP released December’s private sector payroll report Wednesday showing that private sector employment rose by 807,000 jobs from November to December, well above experts’ predictions. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday that there are 10.6 million job openings in the U.S. as the “quits rate” rose to 3%. These quits came amid a rise in federal benefit programs such as the monthly child tax credit, which expired last month. “Total separations include quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations,” BLS said. “Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations include separations due to

retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm.” The Biden administration has touted the job growth as the economy rebounding from the downturn in the wake of nationwide COVID-19 lockdowns, but that recovery has been troubled by other economic indicators such as increased inflation and the elevated quit rates. “The number of quits increased in November to a series high 4.5 million (+370,000)," BLS said. "The quits rate increased to 3.0 percent, matching the series high in September. Quits increased in several industries with the largest increases in accommodation and food services (+159,000); health care and social assistance (+52,000); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+33,000). The number of quits increased in the Northeast, South, and Midwest regions.” According to the ADP report, small businesses with fewer than 50 employees created 204,000 jobs in December while companies with 50-499 workers created 214,000 jobs. Large companies with 500 or more employees added 389,000 jobs.

The report comes ahead of the monthly federal jobs report expected Friday. "December's job market strengthened as the fallout from the Delta variant faded and Omicron's impact had yet to be seen," said Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. "Job gains were broad-based, as goods producers added the strongest reading of the year, while service providers dominated growth. December's job growth brought the fourth quarter average to 625,000, surpassing the 514,000 average for the year. While job gains eclipsed 6 million in 2021, private sector payrolls are still nearly 4 million jobs short of pre-COVID-19 levels." ADP, which has 460,000 U.S. clients with nearly 26 million workers in the U.S, worked with Moody Analytics on the report. “The report, which is derived from ADP's actual data of those who are on a company's payroll, measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month on a seasonallyadjusted basis,” the group said. Casey Harper works at The Center Square’s Washington, D.C., bureau.

Albany County prosecutor drops forcible touching charge against Cuomo By STEVE BITTENBENDER THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will not face prosecution on a forcible touching charge, Albany County District Attorney David Soares announced Tuesday. It’s the fourth time in the last couple of weeks prosecutors have opted against pursuing a criminal case against the former three-term leader of New York. But what made Albany’s case different was the sheriff’s department filed a misdemeanor charge against Gov. Cuomo in October — a move that surprised Mr. Soares. Gov. Cuomo was to go to court Friday for a hearing on the charge. That hearing had been rescheduled from early November after Mr. Soares told the judge he had procedural concerns about the filing. The charge, which carried a prison term of up to 364 days if Gov. Cuomo had been found guilty, stemmed from a complaint filed by a former executive assistant in the Cuomo administration. Brittany Commisso said the then-governor put his hand under her blouse in the Executive Mansion. Ms. Commisso was one of 11 women whose claims were documented in an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations against

Gov. Cuomo. New York Attorney General Letitia James released a report Aug. 3 that said investigators found the women’s claims credible. Gov. Cuomo and his attorneys strongly denied the allegations. However, he would announce his resignation from office a week later after saying he did not want to be a distraction. But even after he left office, he and his attorneys have continued to refute the report, saying Ms. James promoted the allegations for her own political gain. With the Commisso claim, Gov. Cuomo pointed out the independent investigation said the groping incident took place on Nov. 16, 2020, while the ensuing sheriff’s investigation said it occurred on Dec. 7, 2020. In his statement Tuesday, Mr. Soares did not identify Ms. Commisso by name. He added he found her to be “cooperative and credible.” Still, he said his office recommended dropping the charges after determining it would not be able to prove it in a trial. “While many have an opinion regarding the allegations against the former governor, the Albany County DA’s Office is the only one who has a burden to prove the elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt,” Mr. Soares said. Last month, district attorneys in Nassau and Westchester

counties announced they would not pursue criminal cases against Gov. Cuomo after reviewing incidents mentioned in the independent investigation’s report. In a separate matter, a Cuomo attorney announced Monday the Manhattan district attorney’s office would not press charges against Gov. Cuomo for his nursing home policies during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like his colleagues, Mr. Soares said Tuesday that not pursuing charges does not equate to condoning the alleged incidents. He also noted Ms. Commisso and others who have accused the former governor may still file a civil case against him. “I, like most New Yorkers, remain deeply troubled by allegations like the ones at issue here,” he said. “Such conduct has no place in government or in any workplace. Although avenues for criminal prosecution in these cases are sometimes limited, I encourage victims of workplace harassment and abuse to continue to come forward and bring these issues to light so that these important discussions can continue.” Ms. Commisso, though, criticized Mr., Soares’ decision in an interview with the New York Post Tuesday. “I think it’s deterring women from coming forward,” she said.

Biden to visit Colorado to survey fire aftermath By DEREK DRAPLIN THE CENTER SQUARE REGIONAL EDITOR

(The Center Square) — President Joe Biden is set to visit Colorado on Friday to tour the damage caused by fires that ripped through Boulder County last week. The Marshall fire began on Dec. 30 and quickly spread across the southeastern part of the county due to winds of over 100 miles per hour. Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate the towns of Superior, Louisville and parts of Broomfield as approximately 1,000 homes were lost, according to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management. Officials said Monday an investigation aided by federal agencies is ongoing but could take weeks to complete. President Biden, who approved a federal disaster declaration for the state on Saturday, will be accompanied by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., and Gov. Jared Polis when he visits on Friday. “This week, many in the Boulder County community — throughout Superior and Louisville — are beginning the long road to recovery in the

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Most counties empty-handed despite state’s promise of COVID test kits for schools By MADISON HIRNEISEN THE CENTER SQUARE STAFF REPORTER

(The Center Square) — As students departed their classrooms for winter break at the end of December, state officials vowed to allocate 6 million athome COVID-19 tests to ensure every K-12 student would be tested before returning to school after the holidays. But on Monday, when thousands of students flocked back to classrooms across the state, the vast majority of California counties were still awaiting shipments of the promised testing kits. According to the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, which represents county superintendents in all 58 counties, only 22 counties had received full allotment of testing kits as of Tuesday, and three counties had received partial shipments. In Los Angeles County, home of 80 school districts, only 400,000 kits had arrived by Tuesday, with one million more kits still on the way. The California Department of Public Health on Tuesday partly blamed inclement weather across the nation for the test kit delays. As of Tuesday, CDPH said the state had delivered about 3 million tests, with another 1 million expected to be delivered within the next day or so. “While millions of tests have already been delivered to California families, many others have been delayed by the unprecedented storms the country has seen over the last two weeks,” a spokesperson from CDPH said. “About 1.5 million tests are anticipated to arrive at the state’s warehouse (Tuesday), which will immediately be shipped to counties across the state.” At this point, it’s unclear as to when students who have not received a testing kit from the state will get one. According to Kindra Britt, the director of communications and strategy for CCSESA, some areas have been given an expected delivery date,

KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS

Most California counties are awaiting the arrival of COVID-19 test kits for their schools.

while others have been given no update. “It’s really all across the map, but we know that deliveries are occurring every day,” the director told The Center Square. CCSESA was among a handful of organizations who joined Gov. Gavin Newsom in pledging to keep classrooms open in late December, as the threat of rising COVID-19 case rates loomed. During a Dec. 22 news conference, Gov. Newsom said keeping schools open was a key priority for his administration after holiday break, vowing to provide enough tests for each student to be tested at least once before returning to school. “We believe that our most important agenda must be to continue our nation-leading efforts to keep our kids in school,” Gov. Newsom said in December. “Let there be no doubt — that is our commitment. That is our priority.” Thus far, the state has maintained its commitment to keeping schools open, with thousands of students returning to in-person learning on Monday and many more expected to return next week. But, with many students already back in the classroom without a testing kit completed, Ms. Britt said CCSESA has heard concerns from parents about returning to school amid the

latest rise in cases. “We have heard there are some folks who were concerned about returning back to school, so (schools) will be addressing that,” Ms. Britt said. “Schools are open and doing the best they can with multiple layers of mitigation strategies,” including masks and vaccines. “Getting the testing kits out before and to help mitigate the spread of this highly contagious variant is ideal, but at the same time, schools did have to open yesterday,” Ms. Britt said. “So we have to just continue with other mitigation strategies to kind of complement this effort.” Some school districts across the state, including Los Angeles Unified School District, are not scheduled to return to the classroom until early next week, which provides the state more time to get tests dispersed across remaining counties. COVID-19 testing is not a state-mandated requirement for students to return to school after winter break, though some school districts, including LAUSD, announced this week that students and staff would be required to show a negative test result before returning to in-person learning. Madison Hirneisen covers California for The Center Square.

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President Joe Biden is scheduled to tour the damage caused by the recent Marshall fire in Colorado.

wake of the unprecedented and terrible Marshall Fire,” Rep. Neguse said in a statement. “We cannot expect our communities to bear the burden of this disaster on their own. We must bring the full force of the federal government to bear as our communities work to rebuild and recover.” Gov. Polis said on Wednesday that President Biden’s visit is welcomed so he can “see

firsthand the devastation that Boulder County has experienced.” “We look forward to conveying to the president the needs of the community,” he added. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has also approved Disaster Unemployment Assistance for those affected by the fires, which will pay out benefits for up to 26 weeks.

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Advocates call 2021 a ‘historic year’ for choice in education By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — As school districts across the U.S. start 2022 in remote-learning settings or are considering doing so because of a rise in COVID-19 cases, parents now have more options as 22 states expanded or created school choice initiatives in 2021. That’s a silver lining, advocates say, as parents grow more frustrated by ever-changing mandates, failed virtual learning outcomes and conflicting views with school boards over a range of issues. Last year was an “historic year for school choice in America,” the American Federation for Children said in its analysis of “school choice victories.” “A record number of states passed legislation to create, expand or improve school choice programs, and hundreds of thousands of children stand to benefit,” it added. Nearly half of all state legislatures last year increased funding for school choice programs in their state budgets or passed laws to expand or create new Education Savings Accounts or scholarship programs. They also notably expanded eligibility requirements to include homeschooling, charter schools and private schools. Four states created entirely new programs; three created new and expanded programs, and Ohio created the most improved programs of them all, according to the analysis. The majority, 14, either expanded or improved their existing school choice programs. The state legislatures of Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire and West Virginia all created new scholarships or ESA programs in 2021, according to the analysis. Kentucky created its first ESA, a $25 million tax credit program, and became the 28th state to have a private school choice program. Private school choice is now available to students in counties with a population more than

90,000, according to a new law. Missouri created a new $25 million ESA program funded by a 100% tax credit. Eligible students, prioritized by income, include those who attend public, charter, virtual and private schools or those who are home-schooled. New Hampshire’s ESA program is designed to help families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty limit and the state Department of Education projects it will save the state $350 million over the next decade. A new West Virginia law created a new ESA program, the Hope Scholarship, available to 90% of students in the state. It allows those leaving the public school system to use the funds for private school tuition, home-schooling costs, or other educational expenses. State legislatures in Arkansas, Indiana and Florida created new and expanded school choice programs. Arkansas created a new $2 million tax credit program to help eligible low-income students, which includes a 100% tax credit for donors. It also amended eligibility for a state scholarship program to include children of active-duty or reserve members of the U.S. military. Indiana’s biennial budget expanded eligibility criteria and increased the tax credit cap for its voucher and tax credit scholarship program and created a new ESA program. It also allocated additional funding to its special needs ESA and charter and innovation network grants. New Florida laws expanded the state’s scholarship programs and created a new ESA program. They expanded household income eligibility, increased the number of scholarships made available every year and their amounts, and amended programs to better help students with disabilities, among other measures. Ohio’s budget increased funding for its EdChoice and Cleveland Scholarships, expanded eligibility criteria and increased the value of special needs scholarships. It also doubled facility funding to brick and mortar charter

schools and invested $54 million in high-quality charter schools. By eliminating geographic restrictions on the location of charter schools and eliminating deductions from districts’ state aid, Ohio moved to directly fund scholarship programs and charter schools. It also created a new state tax credit for individual contributions, allowing private school students to be recipients, and created a new ESA program to help low-income students. Ten state legislatures (Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Dakota) expanded their existing school choice programs last year, some by record amounts. Georgia expanded access to its special needs voucher program to approximately 50,000 students. Kansas expanded its tax scholarship program and removed some eligibility requirement restrictions. Maryland increased funding by roughly one-third for its “BOOST” scholarship program. Iowa increased the cap for its tax credit scholarship program by the largest amount in the program’s history. It also increased tax credits for donations to 75%, doubled the parental tuition tax credit, and allowed homeschool families to be eligible for the tax credit. Montana expanded its tax credit scholarship and ESA programs, increasing the maximum tax credit donors can receive to $200,000. The program cap was increased to $2 million in 2023, with the ability to increase it every year depending on donation amounts. Nevada expanded its Opportunity Scholarship Program to $22.8 million for the next biennium “and a harmful provision preventing children from entering the program was erased,” AFC notes. North Carolina’s budget expanded eligibility for its scholarship program and raised the income threshold to qualify for it. It also expanded the scholarship amount to 90 percent of the state per pupil expenditure

for traditional public schools, and combined a grant for children with disabilities with its ESA program. The new ESA could provide up to $17,000 in aid to students with disabilities. Oklahoma also expanded its tax credit scholarship program, increasing the amount of annual tax credits available for private school scholarship donations by roughly seven-fold. Pennsylvania increased funding for its K-12 tax credit program by $40 million, which is expected to help an additional 13,000 students. South Dakota expanded and amended its tax credit scholarship program eligibility requirements to allow students of any income or grade to apply, including those enrolled in private schools. While Illinois and Tennessee made improvements to their existing school choice programs, Arizona and Louisiana improved and expanded theirs. Illinois extended its tax credit scholarship program sunset by one year. A new Tennessee law clarifies that funds made to, or on behalf of, students participating in the state’s ESA program are exempt from state and local taxation. Arizona made access to its ESAs easier, including allowing all low-income families with students that attend failing public schools to immediately enroll in the program. It also allocated new funding for charter school transportation, expanded funding for high-performing charter schools, increased transparency in its open enrollment system, and added $1 million to its tuition tax credit program serving children with special needs. Louisiana also expanded options for families whose children are enrolled in failing public schools, allowing them to select a better rated school and appeal to the state if their children were denied enrollment to their public school of choice. The state’s scholarship program was also changed to expand eligibility and improve accountability.

BOESLER, Ewald Wolfgang

Ewald Wolfgang Boesler went to see Jesus on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021 when Germans celebrate Christmas. What a celebration! He wanted to “go out in style” and he surely did, without any pain or suffering. He used to say he was a blessed old man and now we can say he is a blessed NEW man. We rejoice knowing that he is now in the Presence of The Lord. Well done, good and faithful servant. Ewald was born to David and Waldina Boesler in Germany on January 3, 1935 on the family farm where he along with his twin sister Wally and older brother Egon lived. He loved the farm and hoped to inherit it someday. But God had other plans for him. At the onset of WWII, the Boesler family had their farm confiscated and became war refugees when Ewald was 10. Six years later after being in many refugee camps, they were allowed to immigrate to the United States. His family settled in the Detroit area where he worked odd jobs until he finally found his calling in construction. Soon the weather drove him west to Santa Barbara. Right away he found a job in construction and began attending Calvary Baptist Church. Soon after he met and married his beloved Judy in 1964 whom he was married to for 53 years. Ewald became a believer in Jesus Christ as a young boy at a home church gathering when he realized he was a sinner and in desperate need of a Savior. Ewald loved people but he loved The Lord even more. He was always asking people, “Do you love Jesus?” He was deeply concerned about everyone’s spiritual well-being. He was amazingly generous with his time, money and resources. He loved serving The Lord in many different ways and served in a variety of capacities at Calvary Baptist Church of Santa Barbara. Ewald (along with his late wife, Judy) hosted and served countless meals (mostly consisting of a variety of grilled meats, German potato salad, or clam chowder) to his family, extended family, friends, missionaries, youth groups, and college students. Ewald will be missed greatly by many but especially by his daughter Lisa Chesebro (Mark) and son Kevin Boesler (Rebecca); his four grandchildren, Caleb (Cassie) Boesler, Nathan (Sarah) Boesler, Daniel Boesler and Anna Joy Boesler; and two-month-old great-grandson Emmet Lewis (born to Nate and Sarah). A memorial service will be held January 6 at 2:00 pm at Bear Valley Church in Tehachapi. A graveside service will be held at Goleta Cemetery January 7 at 2:00 pm with a party to follow at 3:30 pm at Calvary Baptist Church Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, please support Ewald’s wishes by donating to Calvary Baptist Church’s Revitalization or your favorite missionary.

Obituary notices are published daily in the Santa Barbara News-Press and also appear on our website www.newspress.com To place an obituary, please email the text and photo(s) to obits@newspress.com or fax text only (no photos) to (805) 966-1421. Please include your name, address, contact phone number and the date(s) you would like the obituary to be published. Photos should be in jpeg format with at least 200 dpi. If a digital photo is not available, a picture may be brought into our office for scanning. We will lay out the obituary using our standard format. A formatted proof of the obituary and the cost will be emailed back for review and approval. The minimum obituary cost to print one time is $150.00 for up to 1.5” in length -- includes 1 photo and up to 12 lines of text, approximately 630 characters; up to approximately 930 characters without a photo. Add $60.00 for each additional inch or partial inch after the first 1.5”; up to approximately 700 characters per additional inch. All Obituaries must be reviewed, approved, and prepaid by deadline. We accept all major credit cards by phone; check or cash payments may be brought into our office located at 715 Anacapa Street. The deadline for Tuesday through Friday’s editions is 10 a.m. on the previous day; Saturday, Sunday and Monday’s editions all deadline at 12-noon on Thursday (Pacific Time). Free Death Notices must be directly emailed by the mortuary to our newsroom at news@ newspress.com. The News-Press cannot accept Death Notices from individuals.

LOCAL FIVE-DAY FORECAST TODAY

FRIDAY

Intervals of clouds Sun through high and sun clouds

Mostly sunny INLAND

INLAND

By NYAMEKYE DANIEL THE CENTER SQUARE STAFF REPORTER

(The Center Square) — A mayor in Georgia pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal theft and fraud charges pertaining to COVID-19 relief money. Authorities said Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary, who has led the city in DeKalb County since 2013, pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars from Stonecrest’s share of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. Mr. Lary stepped down as mayor Tuesday. “Every executive has to make a decision on how far he can take an organization, and I’ve given all I can give,” he said. “I ask that

Enjoying the ocean KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS

A couple enjoys the view of the Pacific Ocean on a sand berm Wednesday at the Santa Barbara Harbor.

you all measure me by the whole story. I did the best that I could do with what we had in place.” The federal government awarded DeKalb County $125 million in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DeKalb disbursed $6.2 million to Stonecrest in July 2020. Federal authorities said Mr. Lary created a scheme to route some of the funding to businesses under his name and others connected to him. He used more than $100,000 to pay off the mortgage on his lake house and thousands of dollars more for personal liabilities, authorities said. Under Lary’s direction, the city allocated $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, among

other things. The money was then supposed to be dispersed to Stonecrest churches and nonprofits. Another $5 million was allocated to the city’s COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program to provide support for small businesses. The city contracted Municipal Resource Partners Corp., a company with ties to Mr. Lary, to disburse the funds. Authorities said Mr. Lary handpicked its CEO and bookkeeper and opened its bank accounts. Stonecrest’s application on its website for the business grant required applicants to use 25% of the award for marketing. Authorities also said he told churches they must direct a portion of the money for purposes he chose.

Authorities said the bookkeeper, Lania Boone, signed dozens of checks on behalf of Municipal Resource Partners Corp., directing millions of dollars of relief funds to individuals, businesses, churches and nonprofits of Mr. Lary’s choice. In one instance, Mr. Lary told a church to direct $50,000 out of its $150,000 federal award for home repairs for people who could not afford them because of COVID-19. Mr. Lary allegedly used some of that money to pay off his outstanding federal, state and local tax liabilities. Authorities said Mr. Lary also used $4,500 he collected from another church to cover property expenses and Georgia Campaign Finance Committee dues.

INLAND

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Partly sunny

Mostly cloudy

INLAND

67 41

61 40

62 34

63 36

62 37

62 44

59 44

60 40

61 44

63 43

COASTAL

Pismo Beach 68/44

COASTAL

Shown is today's weather. Temperatures are today's highs and tonight's lows. Maricopa 56/41

Guadalupe 67/45

Georgia mayor pleads guilty to stealing COVID aid

SATURDAY

Santa Maria 65/46

Vandenberg 62/50

New Cuyama 60/35 Ventucopa 64/37

Los Alamos 69/45

Buellton 67/43

Solvang 67/41

Gaviota 62/49

SANTA BARBARA 62/44 Goleta 64/45

Carpinteria 63/47 Ventura 62/48

AIR QUALITY KEY Good Moderate

Source: airnow.gov Unhealthy for SG Very Unhealthy Unhealthy Not Available

ALMANAC

Santa Barbara through 6 p.m. yesterday

TEMPERATURE High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low

72/42 64/41 76 in 2003 27 in 1949

PRECIPITATION 24 hours through 6 p.m. yest. Month to date (normal) Season to date (normal)

0.00” 0.00” (0.65”) 8.83” (5.56”)

City Cuyama Goleta Lompoc Pismo Beach Santa Maria Santa Ynez Vandenberg Ventura

STATE CITIES Bakersfield Barstow Big Bear Bishop Catalina Concord Escondido Eureka Fresno Los Angeles Mammoth Lakes Modesto Monterey Napa Oakland Ojai Oxnard Palm Springs Pasadena Paso Robles Sacramento San Diego San Francisco San Jose San Luis Obispo Santa Monica Tahoe Valley

56/41/pc 65/39/s 57/29/s 59/26/pc 65/50/pc 58/49/pc 71/41/s 55/50/c 56/43/pc 72/49/s 42/28/pc 56/47/c 61/48/pc 55/49/c 56/49/pc 70/43/s 63/47/s 75/49/s 73/48/s 62/41/pc 55/48/c 65/51/s 57/50/pc 60/48/pc 68/45/pc 66/49/s 47/31/pc

Fri. Hi/Lo/W 58/39/pc 60/44/pc 59/43/c 59/46/c 58/42/c 61/40/pc 58/46/c 57/49/pc

54/25/sh 39/29/pc 17/5/c 42/25/pc 27/17/c 67/39/pc 79/65/pc 0/-16/pc 39/30/pc 39/30/c 69/47/s 54/46/r 19/7/sn 47/36/c 47/44/r 41/29/c

POINT ARENA TO POINT PINOS

Wind southwest 3-6 knots today. Waves 1-2 feet; southwest swell 1-3 feet at 13 seconds. Visibility under a mile in areas of morning fog.

POINT CONCEPTION TO MEXICO

Wind southwest 3-6 knots today. Waves 1-2 feet; southwest swell 1-3 feet at 13 seconds. Visibility under a mile in areas of morning fog.

SANTA BARBARA HARBOR TIDES Date Time High Time Jan. 6 Jan. 7 Jan. 8

12:50 a.m. 11:39 a.m. 1:40 a.m. 12:36 p.m. 2:32 a.m. 1:44 p.m.

4.1’ 5.4’ 4.2’ 4.6’ 4.3’ 3.7’

LAKE LEVELS

Low

5:41 a.m. 6:52 p.m. 6:53 a.m. 7:36 p.m. 8:24 a.m. 8:21 p.m.

2.3’ -0.6’ 2.3’ 0.0’ 2.2’ 0.7’

AT BRADBURY DAM, LAKE CACHUMA 55/45/pc 68/42/s 53/25/s 56/24/c 55/47/pc 57/41/r 66/46/pc 51/41/r 56/44/c 61/52/pc 42/16/c 54/42/c 60/45/c 58/43/r 55/43/r 60/43/pc 58/48/pc 74/51/s 64/46/pc 59/41/c 55/42/r 61/52/pc 55/45/r 59/44/r 60/44/c 59/51/pc 40/15/sn

NATIONAL CITIES Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Houston Miami Minneapolis New York City Philadelphia Phoenix Portland, Ore. St. Louis Salt Lake City Seattle Washington, D.C.

Wind west-southwest 4-8 knots today. Waves 1-3 feet with a west-southwest swell 2-4 feet at 12 seconds. Visibility clear.

TIDES

LOCAL TEMPS Today Hi/Lo/W 60/35/pc 64/45/s 63/47/s 68/44/s 65/46/s 67/41/s 62/50/s 62/48/s

MARINE FORECAST

SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL

43/28/s 35/20/sn 14/10/pc 53/45/s 55/29/pc 59/52/s 79/70/pc 3/1/pc 34/22/sn 34/21/pc 70/48/s 48/39/r 26/21/pc 48/32/c 45/35/r 34/22/s

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. Storage 93,420 acre-ft. Elevation 712.27 ft. Evaporation (past 24 hours) 4.1 acre-ft. Inflow 39.4 acre-ft. State inflow 12.9 acre-ft. Storage change from yest. +56 acre-ft. Report from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset

First

Full

Jan 9

Jan 17

Today 7:06 a.m. 5:04 p.m. 10:25 a.m. 9:44 p.m.

WORLD CITIES

Last

Jan 25

Fri. 7:07 a.m. 5:05 p.m. 10:55 a.m. 10:47 p.m.

New

Jan 31

Today Fri. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Beijing 40/15/s 40/15/s Berlin 36/27/s 36/31/sn Cairo 67/51/c 66/51/s Cancun 82/70/s 82/72/c London 44/37/r 42/35/sh Mexico City 75/47/pc 71/44/pc Montreal 28/14/sn 19/1/sn New Delhi 64/55/c 68/56/c Paris 42/36/pc 45/36/sh Rio de Janeiro 83/75/sh 78/74/t Rome 53/41/sh 54/36/s Sydney 80/73/sh 79/72/t Tokyo 40/35/sn 47/36/s W-weather, s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

PAGE

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

Life

T H U R S DAY, J A N UA RY 6 , 2 0 2 2

REVIEW

‘The Matrix: Resurrections’ is a complicated but fun puzzle By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

“The Matrix: Resurrections” is equally entertaining and confusing. If you’ve watched all the movies in the franchise, you’ll make sense of what’s going on. If you’ve missed some of them, as this writer did, bring someone with you who saw all of the first three films. That person can fill in the blanks after you see the movie. Ultimately, this “Matrix” is worth the trip. It’s a good sci-fi movie with compelling characters and plenty of surprises. There are some plot spoilers ahead. The movie picks up after the other films, which left Nero (Keanu Reeves) believing he’s a video game producer. In reality, he’s living a phony life, and he seems to know it. Those with the real scoop on reality are trying to get him out of the phony reality, and once he’s out, he wants to help his longtime love interest from the franchise, Trinity (Carrie AnneMoss), escape from the fake life in which she’s Tiffany and is a married mother. But first Nero, aka Thomas Anderson, has to realize he’s in a phony world. The question is whether he’s getting help with his discussions with his mysterious therapist, played by Neil Patrick Harris in one of the film’s best performances. Is this therapist a good guy or a villain? Once Nero (an anagram for the “One”) returns to the world

of reality, he finds things have changed and actually improved in many ways. But he can’t leave Trinity behind in a phony world where she isn’t happy, whatever the risks he must take. Not surprisingly, Nero faces his nemesis Agent Smith, who, like the therapist, will keep viewers guessing. Whose side is he on? And there are plenty of Easter eggs in this film, which brings viewers back full circle to the original “Matrix” (1999) and picks up plot threads from “The Matrix: Reloaded” and “The Matrix: Revolutions’’ (both 2003). This movie also presents a mix of familiar and new faces, bringing a new generation of heroes into the story. One question: Why a “Matrix” movie after all this time? Well, putting aside box office hopes, it’s justified by the plot. The story wasn’t fully resolved for Nero, and the passage of time is addressed by the plot. Fortunately, director Lana Wachowski ties all the elements together, but admittedly, the film is a puzzle that takes some sorting. If you liked the first “Matrix” movie, see “Resurrections,” but be sure to see “Reloaded” and “Revolutions” first. (As stated previously, try to see this film with a “Matrix” expert.) And be prepared to see “Resurrections” a second or even a third time to pick up more details. Nothing is simple when it comes to “The Matrix.” email: dmason@newspress.com

COURTESY PHOTO

Santa Barbara film company raises money for its adaptation of ‘Calculated’ By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

OneDoor Studios, a Santa Barbara film company, recently raised just over $2 million to finance development costs of “Calculated,” a movie based on a bestselling young adult novel. Investors are being invited to invest $100 each in the movie, which has an estimated budget of $45 million. The budget is largely being covered by bank financing, according to OneDoor Studios. Money is being raised at wefunder.com/ calculatedmovie, and OneDoor Studios’ website is www. onedoorstudios.com. “Calculated” is a thriller written by Nova McBee and published by Wolfpack. The novel focuses on Josephine Rivers, a calculating prodigy with a nearly supernatural ability that enables her to do things such as predict the future. That gets the attention of criminals who kidnap her to make money off her ability, but she must escape before the thugs use her power and ruin the global economy in the process. The story got the attention of OneDoor Studios. COURTESY PHOTO

“From its opening sentence, Nova McBee’s young woman starring character just knocked us out with her impossible circumstances and unconquerable spirit,” said Jay Brents, the company’s CEO, in a news release. “We were fortunate to bid early on this audience-captivating book series that could become one of the highest impact motion picture franchises of all time.” The company’s founders are committing 25% of their profits from “Calculated” to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation to help in the fight against human trafficking. OneTime Studios said its investment process for the movie adaptation of “Calculated” differs from the usual crowdfunding approach. “The typical way films have been funded on crowdfunding sites is for investors to provide production funding, then the film is produced. This most often leads to projects that fail to get distribution,” said Jay Brents, CEO of OneDoor Studios. “In 2019, over 13,000 independent films were made with this model, and less than 1% secured distribution, let alone actually profited.” Mr. Brents explained what makes his company’s

investment process different is that the investor is investing in the development of the film — not the production. According to OneTime Studios, that means people investing in “Calculated” can recoup 110% of their investment before filming begins. “Then after the studio releases the film, investors make 50% of the development company’s ongoing profits,” the studio said in its news release. Mr. Brents said the company turned to revenue-share crowdfunding when private investment slowed following the COVID-19 shutdown. “We had a company on board for the funding of the first project’s development, but when COVID hit, everything changed,” Mr. Brents said. “So I did a great deal of research into the most successful revenue-share crowdfunded companies and we moved our company down that path. We gathered all of our resources and started with a meager $3,000 in ad spend. Then a $15,000 loan to the company for marketing got us to about $150,000 raised within a month, and then it just accelerated.” email: dmason@newspress.com

NEWS

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

FARMERS MARKET Sam Edelman

Sam Edelman is general manager of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association and host of “Farm to Table,” which airs live 9 a.m. Thursdays on KZSB AM 1290.

Parsnips Another root vegetable that thrives during the winter, parsnips, delivers a nice flavor combination, similar to that of a carrot and a celery rolled into one. Resembling that of a carrot, parsnips are best when cooked. Excellent in both sweet and savory dishes, they can be boiled

as you would potatoes and mashed and seasoned to serve as a side, or sautéed and blended into a soup. This week I prepared roasted coconut curry ribbons, the Fix of the Week, which is also on this page. Parsnips are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and folate. They also deliver a good amount

of fiber per serving. They were, at one time, more popular than both potatoes and carrots in Europe. Certified organic is available from Roots Farm and Tutti Frutti Farm at the Saturday Santa Barbara, Tuesday Santa Barbara and Wednesday Solvang farmers markets. Price averages $3 per pound.

Toffee almond butter Once you have a small taste of this delicious toffee infused almond butter from Avila and Sons Farm, you may find yourself uncontrollably finishing the entire 8-ounce jar. They’re excellent for your baking needs or as a great substitute for standard almond butter or peanut butter. It delivers a wonderful combination of sweet and nutty

SAM EDELMAN PHOTOS

flavor. You can serve it on a celery stick, pair it with pink lady apples or enjoy it as a spread on your morning toast. Toffee almond butter is available at the weekly Saturday Santa Barbara, Sunday Camino Real, Tuesday Santa Barbara and Wednesday Solvang farmers markets weekly. Price is $11 per jar.

Fix of the Week

Chestnut mushroom One of the more stunning mushroom varieties I’ve encountered in quite some time, these are recognized by their yellow to light orange caps with brownish scales. They work their way to a rust-brown color toward the base. I like to sear these

in a very hot pan for just a minute or two on each side, infused with a little garlic and salt. They get slimy when wet so refrain from rinsing and instead clean by wiping with a paper towel if you need to remove any sediment. They’re currently available from Golden State Papaya at the Saturday Santa Barbara farmers’ market weekly. Price is $5 per quarter pound.

elated to carrots, parsley and dill, I have always been quite intrigued with parsnips. I had little, if any, experience with this vegetable when I was growing up. It has a physique similar to that of a carrot, and to me, a flavor combination of carrot and celery. The flavor, in fact, is similar to that of cooked celeriac (celery root). A little bit earthy, a little sweet and a little nuttiness throughout, there’s just something about them that keeps me wanting more. Not nearly as appetizing when enjoyed raw, once cooked, the flesh becomes quite smooth and creamy. Ranging in size from about 6 inches to over a foot in length, the larger specimens are quite thick at the top where the green stems are attached, working their way down to a very thin point at the base. Parsnips are sometimes sold with

the tops on, but more commonly they’re harvested and topped before they’re brought to market. Parsnips are an ideal crop for cold-climate regions. Typically they’re only found during the winter and spring locally. The longer in the cool soil, the higher their sugar levels. Parsnips can be added to soups and stews, roasted, cooked and mashed together with Yukon gold potatoes, or whipped into a nice purée. They are also excellent as the base of a parsnip, potato and leek soup, infused with garlic cloves and fresh parsley in my house. This week I prepared roasted parsnip ribbons, tossed in coconut milk, sesame oil, salt, and a little curry powder. Finished with some fresh cilantro, this simple side is excellent with most seafood preparations as well as grilled or roasted meats. Vegetarians can serve with tofu or toss in some almond slivers for a little extra boost of protein. ROASTED COCONUT CURRY PARSNIP RIBBONS 4 large parsnips (the longer the better) 13.5 ounces coconut milk 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon curry powder (add

SANTA BARBARA 324 W. Montecito St (805) 966-2121

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$ 98

lb.

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ea.

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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Peel the outside skin of each parsnip, and discard it for a clean start. Then peel long ribbons with your vegetable, working from top to bottom. I like to give a little extra pressure to the peeler for slightly thinner ribbons. Place peeled ribbons in a mixing bowl. Combine coconut milk, sesame oil, brown sugar, curry powder and salt together. You can taste and add a little more curry powder if desired. Pour over parsnip ribbons, and toss well together to coat. Remove parsnips from any excess liquid and place in a loose mound on a lightly oiled baking sheet (or aluminum foil). You want to make sure there is air throughout the ribbon pile. Cook for about 35 minutes or until the parsnips are crispy on the outside of the pile and cooked through in the center. You can simmer any excess coconut milk mixture in a saucepan to slightly reduce and drizzle over the finished product. Add additional salt as needed to taste. Plate and top with fresh cilantro. Yield: Serves about 4 sides.

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more if desired to taste) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped

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The Ojai Art Center Theater will perform “Steel Magnolias” and other audience favorites during its 2022 season. The season will feature everything from a one-woman show to the musical known for an iconic song, “Seventy-six Trombones.” The company will start its season Jan. 21 with “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” a Tony-winning play by Christopher Durang. Longtime acclaimed director Taylor Kasch is leading the production. The play will run through Feb. 13. Jill Dolan is directing the season’s second show during her directorial debut on the art center stage with “Steel Magnolias.” The drama-comedy takes place in a Louisiana beauty parlor and is a powerful story of friendship and close female relationships. “Steel Magnolias” will run March 8-April 10. The season’s third play is “All in the Timing,” a comedy running April 29-May 15. It’s written by David Ives, known for his satire and wit. This summer the Ojai Art

Center will perform Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” at the same time it is being revived on Broadway with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. Awardwinning actress and director Tracey Williams Sutton is directing the production. Known for hits such as “Seventy-six Trombones,” “The Music Man” will be on the stage June 24-July 24. “Just the TIcket,” a one-woman show starring Ojai resident Lynn Van Emmerik, will be performed Aug. 19-Sept. 4. The comedy follows a loud and lonely woman to Australia on her 60th birthday. In time for Halloween, the theater company will present Noël Coward’s “Blithe Spirit,” the story of a novelist who’s haunted by the ghost of his late first wife. It will be performed Sept. 30-Oct. 23. The season will end with Buddy the Elf in “Elf: The Musical,” set for Nov. 25- Dec. 18. The new musical is based on the movie starring Will Ferrell and is led by veteran director Gai Jones. To purchase tickets, go to www. ojaiact.org. People attending are required to wear masks and show proof of vaccination. email: dmason@newspres.scom.

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

Diversions HOROSCOPE s PUZZLES

SUDOKU

Thought for Today

DAILY BRIDGE By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

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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 THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

Unscramble these Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.

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Get the free JUST JUMBLE DSS )ROORZ XV RQ 7ZLWWHU @PlayJumble

ARIES — There is no question about it, Aries, change is in the air! Perhaps you can't feel it because you have allowed yourself to become bogged down in disappointment. You can't help but wonder if you will ever attain your goals. Well, take heart. The times they are a'changing, as Bob Dylan says. You just need to wait a bit longer. In the end, it doesn't matter how long it took to get there, only that you arrived! TAURUS — All living things benefit from your gifts, Taurus. Nurturing has always been part of your nature, and is especially so today. But sometimes you lavish more attention on others than you do on yourself, and this benefits no one. You will find that you'll have even more of yourself to give when you take the time to fill your own emotional well. Some time off from good works will ultimately be to everyone's benefit, yours especially. GEMINI — At some point, popularity becomes a burden rather than a blessing. Your bulletin board is cluttered with invitations to lectures and parties, Gemini, but your eyes begin to glaze over at the thought of attending all these events. Just how many chicken dinners is one expected to consume in a lifetime? It may be time for you to reassess your priorities. Rather than trying to say yes to everything in order to please everyone, why not start saying no in order to please yourself? CANCER — It's another fortuitous day for finances, Cancer, so be sure to take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. Though, in your usual analytical style, you will be careful first to do a thorough review of the plusses and minuses of the proposal. Much as you benefit from being at your desk today, don't forget to get outside to clear your mind. Be especially aware of any thoughts or ideas that come to you seemingly from out of the blue. LEO — You are seeing a new side of yourself today, Leo, and what a lovely side it is! Normally so conservative, today you find yourself considering purchasing clothes with stylish details and expensive fabrics. And why not? You only live once, after all. And romance is definitely in the air today, so any sexy or sensuous purchases you make are bound to find an audience. VIRGO — We are all gullible to a certain extent. And you are no exception. You can expect to receive some financial offers today. They may come via the mail or an in-person sales pitch. Trust your instincts here.

Some of what is being offered may really be too good to be true. However, on the home front, what is being offered is genuine through and through. There is passion in the air to go along with all this integrity! LIBRA — You have heightened sensitivity right now, Libra, and you know just how to use it. While it can be difficult to be so needed by others, right now it is your place to give help where it's needed. You are uniquely suited to the task at hand, so why not give of yourself wholeheartedly? In the end, you will reap huge rewards for your altruistic efforts. In the meantime, you can feel great about all the good you're doing. SCORPIO — Your warmth and good nature draw people to you like a magnet today, Scorpio. Of course, you're used to this occurring, but today these aspects of your character are especially enhanced. You will find that encounters with other people leave you feeling full and satisfied. After all, it is our loved ones who truly make life worth living. The time is ripe for romantic encounters. SAGITTARIUS — There's no question, this has been a long time coming. But today the change you have been hoping for so long is likely to occur, Sagittarius. The enormity of the change may not be obvious, at least at first. But over time, you will look back on the events of today and see just how pivotal they were. Keep your wits about you today, and seize any intriguing opportunity that comes along. CAPRICORN — This is a time to take care of yourself in the truest sense of the word, Capricorn. This doesn't mean indulging in excesses, but rather just the opposite. Make an extra effort with your clothes and grooming today. Shout down those voices inside that say you don't look as good as you should. You look just fine, and after your care today you will look even better! AQUARIUS — It's another potentially anxious day ahead, Aquarius. But you have the power to soothe your ruffled feathers. Physical activity of any sort will calm you down considerably. Even a quick walk around the block will be of benefit. A calmer disposition in the afternoon makes it easier for you to handle favors and requests with your customary grace. If you need to, you can "disappear" for a few hours early in the afternoon and take in a movie. PISCES — Hobbies and diversions are wonderful; no one will argue this with you, Pisces. But there comes a time when you use your hobbies as a way to avoid other responsibilities. Your intuitive levels are at an all-time high right now. Perhaps you can use them to your own benefit. Try blocking out your worries over the mundane, day-to-day issues so that you can determine why you're avoiding the tasks at hand.

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By Horoscope.com Thursday, January 6, 2022

HOROSCOPE

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“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer

CODEWORD PUZZLE

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: GRAPH SWOON WINERY TRENCH Answer: The tusked African swine suffering from nervousness was a — WORRY WARTHOG

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

NEWS / CLASSIFIED

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

Last Washington state agency puts COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place By TED O’NEIL THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs became the final statewide elected official in the state to put a vaccine mandate in place for employees of his agency, following the lead of actions Gov. Jay Inslee took last summer. Secretary Hobbs made the announcement Monday, saying all employees in the department must provide proof of being fully vaccinated by Feb. 25 as a condition of keeping their jobs.

Those requesting a medical or religious exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis. “This was a decision I made after an assessment and commitment to the health and safety of our employees, especially as COVID-19 continues to occupy all aspects of our lives,” Mr. Hobbs told reporters at a press conference. “I suspect that there will probably be a few employees that will not follow this, and if history bears out in this case, then probably just a low percentage of employees will choose to leave or

not vaccinate.” Mr. Hobbs said 70% of the department’s 300 employees — or about 200 — had already voluntarily submitted paperwork showing they are vaccinated. Washington Gov. Inslee last August issued his mandate that all state employees had to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, but the order did not apply to departments run by other statewide elected officials. The only statewide elected official out of seven not to follow suit was then-Secretary of State Kim Wyman, who was also the

only Republican statewide officeholder. About 2,000 employees, or 3% of the workforce, were dismissed or resigned under Gov. Inslee’s mandate. Secretary Wyman stepped down in November to take a position with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Gov. Inslee appointed Hobbs, then serving in the state Senate, as the interim secretary. A special election will be held in November, with the winner serving out the final two years of Secretary Wyman’s four-year term.

Washington state House will start legislative session remotely, due to omicron variant By BRETT DAVIS THE CENTER SQUARE STAFF REPORTER

(The Center Square) — Omicron is wreaking havoc with the upcoming session of the Washington state legislature. The highly contagious but apparently less-virulent iteration of COVID-19 is the reason there will be little in-person business taking place in the House of Representatives, at least to kick off the 60-day legislative session that begins Monday. Two lawmakers from each caucus and the presiding officer will be allowed on the floor. That’s two more members than were allowed last year, but fewer than the original November plan called for. “The House will reassess its operations every two weeks, and may make future adjustments as conditions warrant,” Bernard Dean, chief clerk of the House, wrote in an email, as reported by the Northwest News Network on Monday. The House’s Executive Rules Committee approved the measure

4-3 along party lines, Mr. Dean said. Democrats make up the majority of both chambers of the legislature. House leaders approved of the change. “The House continues to prioritize safety, transparency, and doing the people’s work,” Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said in a statement. “The omicron variant presents yet another way COVID is challenging us, but we rise to the occasion by adapting swiftly and keeping those priorities at the forefront.” Minority Republicans had a different view. “I understand the Speaker feels responsible for the safety of everyone around the House, but as leaders we have to remember that people all over Washington have been coming into work every day,” House minority leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, said in an email to The Center Square. “Many of these people are lower paid workers but they have made it possible for many other to be safe. Farm workers, grocery workers,

people involved in distribution, teachers, police ... We’ve had nearly two years to prepare for a safe legislative session that provides for the maximum process that helps prevent bad legislation, and we are still not fully doing our jobs.” Andrew Villeneuve, founder and executive director of the Northwest Progressive Institute, indicated his support for the move. “Senator Doug Ericksen’s recent death, although not confirmed to be due to COVID-19, came after he said he had tested positive abroad, and is a sobering reminder that SARS-CoV-2 is a virus we don’t want spreading,” Mr. Villeneuve said in an email. “Committee meetings and testimony were already going to be remote again, so all that’s mostly changing now are the plans for floor sessions. House leadership is saying they’ll re-evaluate as appropriate, and that is a defensible posture to have.” He went on to say, “Freedom from disease is a form of freedom, and it’s a freedom that we should

want and value.” Pandemic-inspired use of remote technologies is a long-term benefit that should extend beyond the pandemic, according to Mr. Villeneuve “Even after the current threat passes, the Legislature must continue to allow remote testimony,” he said. “Allowing people to join committees from where they are means they don’t have to give up a whole day to go to Olympia just to speak for one or two minutes on a bill or other legislative item. That makes the Legislature’s work more accessible to the people. Washington is a representative democracy and a geographically expansive state. We should be taking advantage of technologies that can bring people together across distances.” Jason Mercier, director of the Center of Government Reform at the Washington Policy Center, brought some levity to the situation in a blog post saying the upcoming legislative session “is set to be conducted remotely via Brady Bunch Zoom.”

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05",)# ./4)#%3 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT, FBN No: 20210003218. First Filing. The following person (s) are doing business as: THE JEWELRY MART, 5850 HOLLISTER AVE., GOLETA, CA 93117, County of Santa Barbara. Full Name(s) of registrants: LOS MINITAS: 5850 HOLLISTER AVE., GOLETA, CA 93117. This business is conducted by: A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, STATE OF INC.: CALIFORNIA. This statement was filed in the office of JOSEPH E. HOLLAND, County Clerk-Recorder of SANTA BARBARA COUNTY on 11/22/2021 by E35, Deputy. The registrant commenced to transact business on: Nov 15, 1993. Statement Expires on: Not Applicable. NOTICE: This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (See Section 14400, ET SEQ., Business and Profession Code). (SEAL) DEC 16, 23, 30/2021; JAN 6/2022 --57830

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Reason Foundation report recommends Iowa reduce telehealth rules By MARY STROKA THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — Iowa should make a few public policy changes to improve telehealth services, which have become more common during the COVID-19 pandemic, policy analysts said in a report Reason Foundation released Wednesday. Cicero Institute and Pioneer Institute Senior Fellow Josh Archambault and Reason Foundation Policy Analyst Vittorio Nastasi co-authored the state-by-state report, “Rating the States on Telehealth Best Practices: A Toolkit for a Pro-Patient and Provider Landscape.” Flexibilities in telehealth were often withdrawn when governors lifted emergency declarations, the report said. Any new laws were typically limited to incremental changes, it said. “This toolkit aims to help policymakers take the next step toward a more quality-oriented, affordable and innovative health system by ensuring that their state laws on telehealth remove deleterious barriers that have historically discriminated against those in certain geographies, such as those living in rural communities or in underserved urban areas,” the report said. Telehealth policies should maximize choice for patients and providers and avoid imposing outdated regulatory frameworks, Mr. Nastasi said. After surveying and cross checking state regulatory codes, he and Mr. Archambault found that Iowa is among 20 states that allow nurse practitioners to independently provide virtual care. “Nurse practitioners are

highly qualified health professionals,” Mr. Nastasi told The Center Square in an emailed statement. “Allowing them to independently provide care is essential to expanding access and alleviating the growing national shortage of physicians.” The report praised Iowa’s definition of health care professionals under Iowa Code 686D.2 as those who are “licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by the laws of this state” to provide health care as encouraging innovation in delivery of telehealth services. However, the state should expand its “relatively narrow” definition of telehealth, “the delivery of health care services through the use of interactive audio and video” (Iowa Code 514C.34), to include remote patient monitoring or storeand-forward technologies, Mr. Nastasi said. He added that the Iowa Board of Medicine’s and Board of Physician Assistants’ definitions include those technologies and thereby increase flexibility for patients and providers. Also, Iowa shouldn’t require insurance providers to cover and reimburse telehealth services the same way as inperson services, which it does under Iowa Code 514C.34 and SF 619 (2021), the report said. “These mandates undermine the cost-savings potential of telehealth and may lead to over utilization,” Mr. Nastasi said. “Telehealth is an evolving technological innovation in the healthcare industry, and regulatory flexibility is essential to unlocking its full potential. Iowa should repeal these mandates and avoid shoehorning telehealth into outdated models of care delivery and payment.”

05",)# ./4)#%3 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JUNZENG DONG Case Number: 21PR00572 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Junzeng Dong A Petition for Probate has been filed by Guobao Dong in the SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA. The Petition for Probate requests that Guobao Dong be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The Petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 01/27/2022 at Time: 9:00 AM, in Dept.: 5, located at SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; PO Box 21107, Santa Barbara, CA 93121-1107, Anacapa Division. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Vincent Y. Lin, Esq. Address: 17700 Castleton Street, Suite 263 City of Industry, CA 91748 Phone: 626-935-0929 DEC 23, 30/2021; JAN 6/2022 --57843

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COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Tuesday, January 11, 2022 In Santa Barbara The meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday January 11, 2022, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance 5041 “Licensing of Commercial Cannabis” to revise fees for the cannabis business licensing process. For additional information, please contact Brittany Heaton, Principal Analyst at: Email: brheaton@ countyofsb.org | Tel: 805-568-3400. Please see the posted agenda and staff report available on the Thursday prior to the meetings at http://santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx under the hearing date. On June 11, 2021 and effective immediately, Governor Newsom issued Executive Orders N-07-21 and N-08-21, which rescinded some prior Executive Orders related to COVID-19, but Executive Order N08-21 additionally states some prior Executive Orders related to COVID-19 still remain necessary to help California respond to, recover from, and mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For current and alternative methods of public participation for the meeting of January 11, 2022, please see page two (2) of the posted Agenda. Please see the posted agenda, available on Thursday prior to the above referenced meeting for a more speciﬁc time for this item. However, the order of the agenda may be rearranged or the item may be continued. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by 4:00 PM on Friday before the Board meeting. For information about these services, please contact the Clerk of the Board at (805) 568-2240. If you challenge the project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence to the Board of Supervisors prior to the public hearing. G.C. Section 65009, 6066, and 6062a. Witness my hand and seal this 14th day of December, 2021. Mona Miyasato CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Sheila de la Guerra, Deputy Clerk JAN 1, 6 / 2022 -- 57809

CITY OF SANTA BARBARA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CHANGES TO THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT ORDINANCE IN THE COASTAL ZONE Planning Commission Thursday, January 20, 2022 Via the Zoom Webinar Platform THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD BY TELECONFERENCE AS AUTHORIZED BY GOVERNMENT CODE § 54953(e)(1)(A) TO PROMOTE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND PRIORITIZE THE PUBLIC’S HEALTH AND WELLBEING UNDER SANTA BARBARA COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER ORDERS. AS A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTION, COUNCIL CHAMBER WILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS MAY PARTICIPATE ELECTRONICALLY.

The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to City Council on changes to the City-adopted Title 28 Zoning Ordinance amendments for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) in the Coastal Zone (ADU Ordinance) based on California Coastal Commission (CCC) “suggested modifications” to the ADU ordinance. After City Council adoption of the ADU Ordinance, it requires certification by the CCC before it can become effective in the Coastal Zone. On December 17, 2021, the CCC certified the ADU Ordinance with two suggested modifications pertaining to Coastal Development Permit requirements for ADUs. The ADU ordinance with changes will not be effective until: 1) The City Council agrees to the CCC’s suggested modifications; and 2) The CCC determines at its next public meeting that the City’s action to accept the suggested modifications is legally adequate to satisfy the CCC’s certification order. This notice begins the required six week availability of the ADU Ordinance with suggested modifications prior to final action by the City Council at a public hearing, pursuant to the California Code of Regulations Title 14, Article 5, §13515. The ADU Ordinance with suggested modifications is available for review in the City of Santa Barbara at the Community Development Department (630 Garden Street); City Clerk’s Office (735 Anacapa Street); Santa Barbara Central Library (40 E. Anapamu Street); and online at https://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/ADU. This meeting will be conducted electronically via the Zoom Webinar platform as described in more detail on the agenda that will be available on Thursday, January 13, 2022. The agenda and copies of all documents relating to the item will be posted on the Planning Commission web page at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/PC. Written comments are welcome up to the time of the hearing, by email at PCsecretary@SantaBarbaraCA.Gov. This meeting will be broadcast live on City TV-Channel 18 and online at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/citytv. If you need staff assistance to participate in this meeting, contact the City Administrator’s Office at (805) 564 5305. If possible, please provide notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. INTERPRETACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Si necesita una interpretación del español al inglés, para sus comunicaciones al Consejo, comuníquese con la Oficina del Secretario Municipal al 564-5309, o por correo electrónico a Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. Si es posible, la notificación de al menos 48 horas generalmente permitirá a la Ciudad hacer los arreglos. If you have any questions, please contact Rosie Dyste, Project Planner, at RDyste@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. JAN 6 / 2022 -- 57817