‘Lotusland Celebrates: Birdsong’
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Our 167th Year
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75¢
T H U R S DAY, J U LY 21, 2 0 2 2
Back below $6 a gallon
New interim chief leads SB police
Gas prices continue to fall after peaking in June
Saying ‘it’s not about me,’ Marylinda Arroyo succeeds Bernard Melekian By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Her predecessor describes Interim Santa Barbara Police Chief Marylinda Arroyo as “one of the most strategic thinkers I have met in this business.” City Administrator Rebecca Bjork calls her “extremely competent and capable.” And her law enforcement background speaks volumes: The first woman to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant, captain and commander in the 122-year history of the Santa Barbara Police Department. Commander of the field operations division, which includes patrol, traffic, special enforcement, street crimes, co-response, dispatch, SWAT and CNRT. Winner of the prestigious Thomas H. Guerry Award, Chief Meritorious Award and California Peace Officers Association Foundation Award. Yet despite the accolades and her impressive resume, there’s one quality left unmentioned: Modesty. During an interview with the News-Press on Wednesday, Chief Arroyo was nothing but selfeffacing, saying repeatedly that “it’s not about me.” “We have such exceptional people working here at the police station, really good, dedicated individuals who love this community and do the best they can every day,” she said. “I am part of the team and doing what’s
KENNETH SONG/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Gas prices are shown at Educated Car Wash, which, along with providing car washes, sells gas at 3735 State St. in Santa Barbara.
By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Motorists are seeing long-awaited relief at the pumps with gas prices falling just below $6 a gallon. The average for regular gas was $5.90 a gallon Wednesday in Santa Barbara County, according to the American Automobile Association. On Tuesday, the county’s average was $5.91 a gallon, and on July 13, the average was $6.03 a gallon, according to AAA. One month ago, Santa Barbara
County was seeing an average of $6.33 a gallon. One year ago, that average was $4.31 a gallon. This month’s trend of declining prices is also being seen in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, which, respectively, saw averages on Wednesday of $5.91 and $5.90 a gallon. San Luis Obispo County, which has consistently seen the highest average price of gas on the Central Coast, was at $6.14 a gallon. California has consistently been
above the national average, but saw its average price fall Wednesday to $5.84 a gallon. On Tuesday, the state’s average was $5.87 a gallon, and on July 13, the average was $6.03 a gallon. One month ago, the average price in California was $6.40 a gallon, according to AAA. Nationally, the average price has fallen below $5 a gallon. According to AAA, the average price Wednesday across the U.S. was $4.47 a gallon. On Tuesday, that average was $4.46 a gallon. On July
13, the national average was $4.63 a gallon. A month ago, the average was $4.98 a gallon. One year ago, gas was selling nationally at an average of $3.17 a gallon. Economists attribute this month’s decline in prices, after they peaked in June, to recession worries, which cooled demand as well as refineries becoming more accustomed to the recent imbalance in the market. email: dmason@newspress.com
At left, gas prices are shown at the Hollister Fuel Depot at 5755 Hollister Road in Old Town Goleta. At right, prices are displayed at the 76 gas station at 1800 State St.
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COURTESY PHOTO
“It’s not about me,” new Interim Santa Barbara Police Chief Marylinda Arroyo said. “It’s what’s best for the city. I’m 100% here to do my job and whatever I’m asked to do. That’s my commitment to the city.”
best for the community and city.” When she says team, she’s not just referring to her police department colleagues, either, but everyone who works for the city from Administrator Bjork to department heads to staff. “I signed up to be a peace officer for the city of Santa Barbara,” she said. “I am a public servant and am going to do what is asked of me anytime, 100 percent.” Chief Arroyo deflected Please see CHIEF on A6
Football legend Booker T. Brown leaves legacy of giving By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Booker T. Brown — a philanthropist, football legend, pastor and former Santa Barbara resident — passed away Monday in Mojave. He was 69. “The world lost a saint when he died,” Tim Tremblay, a close friend and former teammate of Mr. Brown, told the News-Press Wednesday. “What an example he was to kids and all of us to be always giving of himself,” said Mr. Tremblay, a Santa Barbara businessman. “He wanted to spread the word and help people. He was a great teammate helping kids and other people improve their game.” Mr. Brown, who played football at Santa Barbara City College and USC before his NFL career, was born Sept. 25, 1952. “He has a very impressive resume for his football career,” said Mr. Tremblay. Not only was Mr. Brown a player in the NFL, but he was drafted into Major League Baseball as well. He is also known for hitting the longest home run in the history of Santa Barbara High School. Mr. Brown was recruited to
COURTESY PHOTO
Sam Cunningham, left, stands next to Booker T. Brown. Mr. Brown, who played football at Santa Barbara City College before a career with the NFL, died Monday.
almost every university in the country, but chose to attend USC, Mr. Tremblay said. Mr. Brown, an offensive guard, went on to play for the San Diego Chargers for two seasons before he signed with the Houston Oilers in 1975. Please see BROWN on A6
INSIDE
L O T T E RY RESULTS
Classified................. B4 Life...................... B1-2 Obituaries............... A6
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Wednesday’s DAILY 4: 7-6-1-2
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 2-31-32-37-70 Meganumber: 25
Wednesday’s FANTASY 5: 2-17-19-24-36
Wednesday’s DAILY DERBY: 03-08-12 Time: 1:43.32
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: N/A Meganumber: N/A
Sudoku................... B3 Weather................. A6
Wednesday’s DAILY 3: 3-8-5 / Wednesday’s Midday 4-5-9