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Our 165th Year
T H U R S DAY, M AY 13 , 2 0 21
Mask mandate to end
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Gov. Newsom: Restrictions to be lifted ‘sooner than later’
By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that the state plans to lift the existing mask mandate June 15, which he explained would allow residents to roam maskless in almost all circumstances. In an interview with Fox 11 (KTTV-TV in Los Angeles), Gov. Newsom said California is tracking a 1% COVID-19 positivity rate, putting the state
on pace to reach the governor’s goal of dissolving the tier system by June 15. Without the restrictions, the governor said reality will look “a lot more like the world we entered into before the pandemic.” “We’re not wearing face coverings,” Gov. Newsom said while describing the state without mask mandates. “We’re not restricted in any way, shape or form from doing the old things that we used to do, save for huge, large-scale indoor convention
events like that, where we use our common sense.” Gov. Newsom added that masks would only be required in “massive, large-scale settings” where many people from not just around the country, but around the world, are gathering. “We’ll make guidance recommendations, but no mandates and no mandates and restrictions for businesses large and small,” Gov. Newsom said. However, during a press conference later on Wednesday,
the governor clarified his previous statements about masking. He slightly backtracked on his original remarks, saying that mask mandates for all outdoor activities would be eliminated by June 15, but that existing mask guidance would likely remain in place for indoor activities. “For indoor activities, we will still likely have some mask guidelines and mandates, but we hope sooner than later that those will be lifted as well,” Gov.
Newsom said. “But the bottom line is, we’ll go back to the most broad strokes, semblances of normalcy if we continue down this path in the next five weeks. I’m confident with all the good work that’s been done all throughout this state that we’ll reach those goals.” In response to the governor’s announcement, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department said health officials will continue to follow state guidance pertaining to face
coverings and develop guidelines based upon the spread of the disease in the region. “Counties are required to follow the state guidance on safety measures related to COVID-19,” the Public Health Department told the News-Press
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For the Wednesday’s local COVID numbers, please see A2. Please see MASKS on A2
A hybrid Fiesta Old Spanish Days to adhere to COVID protocols; no parade or mercados planned By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
There will be no Fiesta Parade or mercados at De la Guerra Plaza or MacKenzie Park this year at Fiesta 2021. However, the rest of the traditions, while small, can take place in person this year. La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow shared the news — along with a tentative calendar of all other events for this year’s celebration — at a press conference Wednesday morning at the Carriage and Western Art Museum in Santa Barbara. Fiesta Week will take place Aug. 4-8. Besides the parade and mercados, most other events intend to be held with a limited capacity. “At the smaller events that we will hold, the public will be able to participate — whether it’s watching something on television or holding a smaller event, like maybe a family party or things like that,” Ms. Petlow told the News-Press. “We’re still working on Fiesta, and we’d still like them to enjoy Fiesta in their hearts and in their homes, and have their own family gatherings to continue to celebrate the Fiesta spirit.” Maria Cabrera, La Primera Vice Presidenta, outlined the tentative schedule on Wednesday, saying, “The health and safety of our community and our visitors is of the utmost importance for Old Spanish Days, so this year, all the things are being planned following the protocols and guidelines from the CDC, state, county and the city.” Saturday marks the first event, La Primavera, which will be held at the Carriage and Western Art Museum. Fiesta Ranchera will take place in Goleta in June, followed by the costume sale in July. La Recepión del Presidenta will also take place at the Carriage
NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO
Vandenberg Air Force Base will be renamed Vandenberg Space Force Base in a ceremony on Friday, and the 30th Space Wing will be redesignated as Space Launch Delta 30.
New name for Vandenberg Base to be renamed Vandenberg Space Force Base By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
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Please see FIESTA on A4
RAFAEL MALDONADO/NEWS-PRESS
Isabella Yturralde, the 2021 Spirit of Fiesta, attended the press conference Wednesday, where plans were announced for Fiesta 2021.
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L O T T E RY RESULTS
I N S ID E Classified.............. B4 Life.................... B 1-2 Obituaries............. A4
Vandenberg has a busy year ahead, starting with a new name. At 2 p.m. Friday, a ceremony will be held on the Parade Field to commemorate Vandenberg Air Force Base renaming the base and redesignating the 30th Space Wing. The ceremony will rename Vandenberg Air Force Base to Vandenberg Space Force Base, and the 30th Space Wing will be redesignated as Space Launch Delta 30, under Space Operations Command, United States Space Force. During the ceremony, the 30th Operations Group and 30th Mission Support Group will inactivate and transition from the operations and mission support group commanders to vice commander positions, allowing squadron commanders to report directly to the SLD 30 commander and creating efficiency on all echelons.
Col. Anthony Mastalir and Chief Master Sgt. Jason DeLucy will remain in their command roles as the commander and command chief of Space Launch Delta 30. All Air Force personnel at Vandenberg will eventually transition to the Space Force, according to local media reports. At least 12 additional launches are planned for this year as well, including Falcon-9 rockets, MM-III missiles and a Missile Defense Agency test. Last year was one of the slowest years for launching, according to officers, and two of the 12 planned for this year were delayed from 2020. The Space Force is a part of the Department of the Air Force and was founded on Dec. 20, 2019 as the newest military branch in the U.S. Vandenberg has served as part of the Air Force since the 1950s.
Sudoku................. B1 Sports ................... A3 Weather................ A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 1-17-21-30-43 Meganumber: 9
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 6-1-9-1
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 7-8-20-36-39 Meganumber: 22
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 4-5-6-21-33
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 07-11-05 Time: 1:42.91
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 1-19-20-38-54 Meganumber: 17
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 0-7-9 / Wednesday’s Midday: 0-7-3