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No-hit magic Former Dos Pueblos standout James McCann assists in no-hitter - A8
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Construction begins on energy project By JORGE MERCADO NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Renewable energy is an important key to the future and its foundation in Santa Barbara County has taken a big step forward. Construction on a new renewable energy resource project, also known as the Vallecito Energy Storage Resilience Project, began on Tuesday in Carpinteria near Foothill Road and Linden Avenue. “VESR will provide foundational energy resilience to this highly transmissionvulnerable and disaster-prone area and will serve as a model that supports Santa Barbara County’s emissions reduction goals, drives regional economic development, and optimizes the performance and costeffectiveness of the electricity grid,” Craig Lewis, executive director of Clean Coalition, told the News-Press. The project provides
resilience to the portion of Santa Barbara County known as the Goleta Load Pocket. It represents a good chunk of the 400 megawatts of energy storage that’s needed within the GLP, in conjunction with 200 megawatts of solar, to protect the region from a complete transmission outage. It will set the stage for the four additional utility scale battery projects expected to come online by March 2021. The Goleta Load Pocket spans 70 miles of Southern California coastline, from Point Conception to Lake Casitas, encompassing the cities of Goleta, Santa Barbara (including Montecito), and Carpinteria. This is important because the entire GLP area is currently served by one electrical substation, the Goleta Substation. This means there is only one transmission path through a mountainous region, which in the last few years has Please see energy on A8
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Classic cars cruised down the street in a parade to the Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria to support cancer patients and raise awareness.
Parading for patients Marian Regional Medical Center holds Day of Hope car parade
By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Nearly 150 cars cruised down the street from the Santa Maria Fairpark to Mission Hope Care Center in support of the center’s cancer patients. The celebration on Wednesday was part of the seventh annual Day of Hope to raise money for programs, services and new technologies to help the patients’ fight against cancer. As of Wednesday afternoon, Mission Hope had already raised nearly $200,000, only $30,000 short of its goal. Organizers hope to surpass it. Ms. San Juan said the parade The vibrant parade of classic cars, convertibles and family cars benefited patients in multiple ways. decorated with pom-poms and “They’re able to see the encouraging messages drew a outpouring of support and the crowd of upwards of 100 patients, community care surrounding employees, staff members, their cancer journey,” she physicians and volunteers said. “It also raises awareness outside Mission Hope. to the public Participants because they were honking can still donate their horns, electronically.” Community members can still playing music She added support the 2020 Day of Hope by and cheering that even though visiting: www.supportmarianmedical. from their car the Day of Hope org/dayofhope or calling the Marian windows. looked different Foundation at 805-739-3595. “Everyone this year due to was incredibly COVID-19, the optimistic event was “still an overwhelming and excited to see such a great show of support.” show of support,” Sara San Dignity Health describes Juan, the director of marketing Mission Hope Cancer Center, and communications at Dignity located on the Marian Regional Health, told the News-Press. Medical Center campus, as “Especially during these the region’s only advanced uncertain times, it was great for comprehensive cancer care everyone to get a morale boost.” Many classic cars were donated center, with highly specialized by “Cruzin’ for Life,” which raises physicians, oncology nurses and therapists to provide care to the funds for Marian Cancer Care Central Coast. Services and Make-A-Wish TriCounties. Cruzin’ for Life helped email: gmccormick@newspress. facilitate the cruise. com
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PATH’s 100-bed homeless shelter located on Cacique Street in Santa Barbara is currently at full capacity.
Groups continue to help homeless Homeless assistance prolonged due to COVID-19 By JOSH GREGA NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
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At top, “Cruzin’ for Life,” an organization fundraising for Marian Cancer Care Services and Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties, donated the classic cars for the parade. Center, Upwards of 100 patients, employees, staff members, physicians and volunteers from Mission Hope came outside to watch the parade as participants honked their horns and cheered. Above, The car parade was part of the Day of Hope to raise money for programs, services and new technologies to help the patients’ fight against cancer and support the employees.
The coronavirus pandemic has not stopped local organizations from assisting the homeless. The process of getting homeless individuals into permanent housing has taken longer due to the pandemic, though groups like People Assisting the Homeless and the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara have remained steadfast in their efforts. PATH’s 100-bed transitional facility is currently at full capacity. Over the course of the pandemic, it has seen as many, but not more, homeless individuals come in seeking shelter as prior to the pandemic. Under ordinary circumstances, those staying at PATH’s shelter would stay there for around three to six months. According to PATH regional director Tessa Madden Storms, average stays have gotten a bit longer since the start of COVID-19.
“It’s been a little bit more difficult, understandably, during this pandemic,” she said. When the pandemic and widespread lockdowns began in the spring, Santa Barbara County implemented the California Department of Social Services’ Project Roomkey. Through this program, homeless individuals are put up in an undisclosed hotel on an interim basis. Santa Barbara’s Project Roomkey site is staffed, in part, with PATH personnel and has a capacity of 75 units. Those who are admitted are most at risk of COVID-19 due to their age or underlying medical conditions. After staying at a Project Roomkey location, homeless individuals are eventually transitioned into permanent housing. Ms. Madden Storms said PATH is managing around 18 people expected to be transitioned within the next couple of months. While those staffing Project Please see homeless on A7
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