Santa Barbara News-Press: February 21, 2023

Columnist Robert Eringer takes a look at the headlines about Russia, Putin and spies - A2

suspects in s tearns Wharf shooting to be arraigned today

By NEIL HARTSTEIN

NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Three alleged juvenile gang associates from Ventura County will be arraigned today on charges connected to the Dec. 9 fatal shooting of an innocent bystander on Stearns Wharf who was allegedly caught in the middle of a crossfire between them and rival Santa Barbara gang associates.

Over the weekend, Mayor Randy Rowse issued a statement denouncing the shooting and those involved, and praising police for their hard work apprehending the accused participants.

“The crime committed on Stearns

Wharf in December was horrific, random and senseless,” Mayor Rowse said. “This tragic act cost the life of an innocent bystander who, as we understand it now, was enjoying our city as a visitor. This is absolutely unacceptable. The level of crime of any kind that can be tolerated is zero, but this event was particularly heinous.

“The police work involved to investigate this crime was performed in a deliberate, precise way and resulted in the identification and arrests of seven suspects,” he added. “These actors are now off of our streets and facing the full measure of the law. The thorough and patient procedures followed by our law

enforcement personnel, while criticized by some, will help to ensure that the victim’s loved ones can begin to receive some closure.”

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch announced Friday that three juveniles had been charged in connection with the killing of Robert Dion Gutierrez, 52, of Camarillo, that occurred at Stearns Wharf on Dec. 9.

Two of the three juveniles, both 15, have been charged with murder in connection with the slaying, with the special allegation that they “discharged a firearm proximately causing death.”

The third juvenile, 16, has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to

murder, and with illegal possession of an unregistered firearm.

The three juveniles remain in custody and are scheduled to be arraigned today at the Santa Maria Juvenile Court.

The three juveniles were arrested by Santa Barbara Police Department officers on Thursday. Their arrests were the result of an intense police investigation to identify and bring to justice additional suspects following the Jan. 19 arrest of four adult suspects in Santa Barbara who allegedly were involved in the slaying, Lt. Kasi Corbett said. Santa Barbara Police, assisted by several outside agencies, served search

Man arrested in connection to sM courtroom fire

Suspect allegedly broke into Santa Maria Court Complex, started fire that caused almost $750,000 in damage

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Santa Maria police arrested a Nipomo man for allegedly breaking into the Santa Maria Court Complex, forcing his way into a courtroom and starting a fire which set off water sprinklers, causing close to $750,000 damage to furniture, wall paneling, carpeting and court files, officials said.

“The courtroom will be offline for about a year,” Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker told the News-Press on Monday.

All the carpet, non-fixed furniture and cabinetry have to be removed, including wood paneling on the walls and public seating in the audience. The water damage also went underneath the judge’s bench.

He said they were waiting for storage units to be brought on site Monday afternoon to receive everything that was damaged.

“The extent of damage is more than we originally knew,” he said. The original estimate was $500,000, but it could cost another $200,000 worth of work to restore damaged court records.

“Files in the basement were compromised,” he said.

“They’re wet but there’s no mold on them yet. A preservation company is coming in to freeze dry the documents and make digital images of them before they deteriorate. It’s happening now. The crew is coming in today.”

“We’re probably at three quarters of a million dollars,” he said.

The water abatement/ restoration company was on site Monday to continue the clean-up process, Mr. Parker said, adding that the court’s maintenance guy has already fixed the damaged courtroom doors.

“They have to dry everything out, and figure out how much more they have to demolish before they can restore it,” he said. “It’s going to be a long process, and I’m sure there will be some hiccups along the way.”

Because of a judicial vacancy,

and arrest warrants at multiple locations in Los Angeles County and Ventura County, she said.

A firearm was recovered in the course of executing the search and arrest warrants, but it is not known at this time if the gun was used in the commission of the crime. Police described Mr. Gutierrez as an innocent bystander who was in Santa Barbara with his wife walking on Stearns Wharf “when he was struck and killed by one of the rounds fired during an altercation between two groups of individuals at the base of the wharf.

“One group involved in the altercation has been identified as local Santa

Please see SHOOTING on A3

Carp Council, Planning Commission to discuss state housing laws

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Carpinteria City Council and Planning Commission will hold a special joint meeting today to hear an update on new state housing laws taking effect in 2023.

The two boards will meet in council chambers, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., starting at 5:30 p.m.

Continuing its efforts to address the statewide housing crisis, the state Legislature enacted a large volume of housing production laws in the 2022 session in a multipronged attempt to promote the development of new housing in general and increase the availability of affordable housing specifically, staff said in its report.

The entire housing legislation package creates new, complex requirements for local agencies responsible for permitting housing. Implementing these new housing laws is made even more complex for coastal cities like Carpinteria due to the need to implement them in a manner consistent with the California Coastal Act.

The new housing legislation focuses on the following issue areas:

• Streamlining approvals and incentivizing high-density development;

• Parking reform and other cost reductions;

• Accessory dwelling units and increased bedroom counts;

• Affordable housing development and housing equality.

Several bills were passed to promote high-density development.

One allows for ministerial, California Environmental Quality Act-exempt approval process for deed-restricted 100% lower income affordable housing on commercially-zoned lands, and also allows for such approvals for mixed-income housing along commercial corridors, as long as the projects meet specified affordability, labor, and environmental criteria.

The bill also requires that all projects seeking approval under its provisions ensure all construction workers earn prevailing wages and receive health benefits.

A second bill allows certain residential uses on commercially-zoned property (retail and office space) without requiring a rezoning, and allows project applicants to invoke the Housing Accountability Act to limit local discretion to deny or condition project approval. However, it does not provide a ministerial approval pathway, and it requires applicants to commit to both prevailing wage and more costly “skilled and trained workforce” requirements for project labor.

The State Density Bonus Law allows developers to increase density, access concessions to reduce development costs, waive development standards and reduce parking in exchange for providing affordable housing. lt is amended nearly every year in an effort to unlock more housing production potential.

A new bill updates the definition of maximum allowable residential density for the purpose of determining the “base density” to which bonus density may be added. Specifically, it provides that if the density under the zoning ordinance is inconsistent with the density allowed under the land use element of the general plan or specific plan, the greater shall prevail. The law also dictates a method for determining the “base density” in terms of units in the many local jurisdictions where the general plan, specific plan or zoning does not provide dwelling unit per acre standards for density.

The bill also makes 100% lower income affordable housing projects that are located in a very low vehicle travel area in a designated county eligible for four incentives or concessions, unlimited density bonuses as well as an automatic height increase of up to three stories or 33 feet.

Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (granny flats) and lncreased Bedroom Counts, one law contains clean-up language and clarifications to reduce permitting hurdles for ADU applicants, including requiring local agencies to approve or deny an ADU application within 60 days of its completeness determination.

Agencies that deny an ADU

Please see CARP on A4

Barbecue boot camp to feature favorite vintages at Alisal Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley - B1

COURTESY PHOTO

A fire started in the Santa Maria Court Complex’s Department 8 courtroom resulted in an estimated $750,000 worth of damage. A Nipomo man, Eric Spies, was arrested for allegedly starting the fire.

The headlines about Russia, Putin and spies

• “KGB SPY Trained in the Art of Seduction.”

Valentine’s Day last week is responsible for this fluffy piece about a Russian woman purporting to have been a Russian honey-trapper— i.e. a seducer of intelligence targets for the purpose of blackmail.

In fact, the business of espionage is all about seduction. A professional intelligence officer seduces his/her targets in a nonsexual way to convince them to betray their country and provide secrets even though it might lead to their execution. Only occasionally does that extend to sexual seduction, a practice favored by Russian intelligence when offers of cash don’t do nicely.

A few decades ago, former CIA officer Miles Copeland, who I interviewed for Rolling Stone magazine in 1986, entrusted me with an unpublished manuscript he penned entitled “The Cupid Game,” a manual in the art of seducing those targeted for recruitment. Although unclassified, it is red hot.

Another master of seduction was my friend Walt Perry (many years gone, along with Miles), who originated, conceived and executed sting operations for the IRS in addition to creating a training course the Revenuers called Sting U. I have his manual too. Never published, never will be.

Both were instructive for seducing my own targets, including CIA traitor Edward Lee Howard and murderer Ira Einhorn, into believing they could get a book published and maybe become a bestselling author while my true aim was luring these international fugitives home to face the music.

And then there’s Ed Howard’s “Spy’s Guide to Central Europe” with chapters on tradecraft.

Leaves me wondering what other sub rosa manuscripts written through the ages will never see the light of day.

• “Former FBI Agent’s Side

Work Puts Bureau Under New Scrutiny.”

It is alleged that former counterintelligence chieftain

Charles McGonigal intervened to ensure Alexandra Fokin was provided an internship with the New York City Police Department at a time when she was rumored to be a Russian intelligence officer.

Alexandra’s father, Evgeny Fokin, was a Russian diplomat and most certainly a KGB officer operating under diplomatic cover when first assigned to the Soviet consulate in San Francisco during the late 1980s.

It was through Evgeny that Mr. McGonigal met sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Derispaska and, after retiring from the FBI in 2018, became a $41,990-permonth security consultant for Deripaska. Simply taking money from a sanctioned Russian was a crime. Which means at that point the Russians had Mr. McGonigal by the short-and-curlies.

Question: Does Mr. McGonigal also link to the mysterious death of a Russian consular officer?

The facts in this death:

Who: Sergei Krivov, the consular officer.

Where: The Russian Consulate in New York City.

When: Nov. 8, 2016.

How: “Blunt force trauma” to the head.

Why: Mr. Krivov was said to be a “duty commander” at the consulate with access to Signals Intelligence through a crypto key used for transmitting secret messages to Moscow.

Buzz Feed News tried at the time to investigate and met brick walls everywhere from NYPD to the Russian Foreign Ministry to the U.S. State Department.

Questions: 1) Did the FBI recruit Mr. Krivov and through him gain access to Russian SIGINT?

2) If so, was Mr. Krivov murdered because the Russians discovered he was passing secrets to the FBI?

3) Was it Mr. McGonigal who outed Mr. Krivov to Russia’s FSB?

• “The Albanian Shakedown: A New Twist in the FBI’S McGonigal Scandal.”

This piece asserts that Charles McGonigal engaged in a major shakedown, for personal profit, telling wealthy Albanians that

Juvenile stabbed on Shoreline Drive

BARBARA

they would be put into jeopardy by the U.S. government if they did not pay him millions of dollars.

“The message was clear: Pay me or I’ll destroy your life.”

They apparently paid him well. Then McGonigal endeavored to extend his shakedowns into Macedonia and Montenegro.

The $65,000 (make that $65 million) question: Where is the brazhort?

• “British Intel Caught FBI Spy Chief Secretly Meeting a Russian in London.”

This would have been Britain’s domestic security service, MI5, conducting routine surveillance of a Russian national suspected of being up to no good — i.e., spying. And, lo and behold, who comes along to meet the suspect but Charlie McGonigal!

According to Business Insider, the Brits then alerted the FBI’s legal attaché at the US Embassy in London (standard procedure — and thus a can of worms was opened.

Meetings between a senior American counterintelligence official (not authorized by his bosses) and a suspect Russian are not happenstance. “There’s a long lead time,” an intel source told Business Insider. Mr. McGonigal would have known that being observed by MI5 was a risk. He was probably deploying a strategy of hiding in plain sight, arrogantly believing his seniority would overcome suspicion.

A former senior British intelligence officer provided me with his perspective: “It is very unlikely this was a meeting caught by physical surveillance. It is much more likely MI5 had a source close to (Russian oligarch Oleg) Derispaska or they picked this meeting up on a tele-tap.”

• “Fired Russian General Vladimir Makarov Dies in Apparent Suicide.”

Just another “suicide” committed by serial killer Vladimir Putin.

And another as …

• “Top Putin Official Plunges 160 Feet to Her Death From High Rise Building.”

Who: Marina Yankina, recently removed chief of the financial support department of the Defense Ministry.

Where: St. Petersburg, Russia.

When: Feb. 16.

Why: “Suicide” supposedly due to “depression” (from being fired by Putin last month).

“Death by falling from a building is the surest way of getting away with murder,” said Clair George, former CIA spymaster.

And the next to fall may be …

• “Top Russian Retired General Says Putin is Leading His Country to Defeat and Humiliation in Ukraine.”

Reports the (U.K.) Daily Mail: “Retired army colonel-general Leonid Ivashov called for the president’s resignation a year ago over a ‘criminal’ policy in ‘provoking’ an ‘artificial’ conflict, foreseeing it would trigger disaster.”

Said General Ivashov last week, “Russia is paying the price for the Putin era’s demoting of military professions, instead bringing in secret services cronies and even alcohol and furniture experts to key military positions.”

Brave soul he, obviously speaking the truth because …

• “ ‘This Isn’t Russian Roulette, it’s Like Suicide of the Lemmings’: Putin’s Marine Brigade of 5,000 Men is all but Destroyed in Brutal Battle.”

The non-lemming Russians are those who evaded conscription and fled the other direction as …

• “Russians Abandon Wartime Russia in Historic Exodus.”

Up to a million young Russians (the well-educated smart ones) have put on their running shoes and turned their backs on Russia in favor of resettling, mostly in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey and Armenia.

Whether from death or desertion, Russia faces a “Lost Generation” not unlike post-World War One.

• “Chairman of Joint Chiefs Claims Putin Has Been Defeated ‘Strategically, Operationally and Tactically’ and is Now a ‘Global Pariah.’ ”

Little wonder Mad Vlad now desires to strike out at foreign

leaders who banded against him, because …

WASHINGTON WHISPER

According to one of our Intel sources in D.C., President Putin desires to extend his assassination reach to “unfriendly” foreign leaders.

It is well known that his No. 1 target is Volodymyr Zelensky. But several assassination attempts over the past year have failed to eliminate the Ukrainian president.

Far less known is that Mr. Putin has also ordered the assassinations of Polish President Andrzej Duda, U.N. SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. (The first two are currently being planned and prepared; an assassination of Boris was eventually ruled out.) The demented despot apparently wants to demonstrate his reach.

Mr. Putin also wants to destabilize Moldova (in between Ukraine and Romania) and, as such, has ordered the assassination of Moldovan President Maia Sandi and replaced him with a Kremlin puppet. This comes after President Sandu revealed “The Russian plan (to annex Moldova) includes sabotage and military trained people disguised as civilians to carry out violent actions, attacks on government buildings and taking hostages.”

Indeed, the U.S. intelligence community assesses that Moldova is Mr. Putin’s next target after Ukraine.

And we are also told Mr. Putin has no Plan C if his new offensive against Ukraine fails.

Unless THIS is Plan C…

• “Russia Deploys Ships Armed With Tactical Nuclear Weapons For First Time in 30 Years.”

A Norwegian Intelligence Service report: “The key part of the nuclear potential is on the submarines and surface ships of the Northern Fleet. Tactical nuclear weapons are a particularly serious threat in several operational scenarios in which NATO countries may be involved.

“It cannot be ruled out,” the report continues, “that a localized war could escalate into a wider conflict with direct military involvement of Russia, the United States, NATO and Norway.”

Other side of the coin from an intelligence source in Washington: “This is a released leak from Russia to ramp up pressure as part of their influence operation.”

But at the Munich Security Conference this past weekend…

• “It’s the End of the World as We Know it.”

Echoes of Munich 1938 (prelude to World War II) as Vice President Kamala Harris invokes Nuremberg 2.0 and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg declares, “What is happening in Europe today could happen in Asia tomorrow” while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirms his warning with, “Let me assure the audience that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.”

• “The Potential Horrors of What a Nuclear Winter Would Really Be Like—as Scientists Call For ‘Urgent’ Public Education.”

OK, let’s say there is a nuclear attack on the United States, and you make it to Northern California, Oregon, Idaho or Maine.

Congratulations!

But having escaped radioactive fallout you are now on the cusp of a whole new world — a very dangerous one.

Assuming that 4,000 nukes are detonated, the amount of ash and soot in the atmosphere from blast and fires will cause darkness (no sunlight) and

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

A Sunday afternoon fight in Santa Barbara led to one man being stabbed and ending up in the hospital, police announced.

incident was reported to police at

p.m. Sunday, when multiple witnesses called the Santa Barbara Police Combined

Communications Center to report a fight in progress occurring in the 800 block of Shoreline Drive, police said.

Multiple officers responded to the scene.

While the initial investigation was occurring, officers learned a male juvenile victim arrived at the hospital. The juvenile sustained what appears to be a stab wound to his abdomen that was reported to be non-life threatening and was being treated at Cottage Hospital.

freezing temperatures (a 10-year “nuclear winter”) that results in crop failure and lack of foodstuff leading to famines around the globe.

The only countries where humanity can survive an abrupt sunlight-reducing catastrophe — such as a nuclear exchange or eruption of a super volcano or our planet being struck by an asteroid — are Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Only in these countries, concludes the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at Cambridge University (UK), will human civilization have the resources to reboot.

Which leads us to…

• “The Worst Places to be if Nuclear War Breaks Out Between Russia and the U.S.A.”

According to FEMA and the National Resource Defense Council, the worst places are everywhere in the United States, closely followed by everywhere in the United Kingdom.

• “Chinese Spies Co-Opted Private Investigator For Info on Dissidents.”

A Brooklyn, N.Y., court has indicted a California-based private investigator, alleging he investigated Chinese dissidents in the U.S. on behalf of the Chinese government.

Derrick Taylor, a 25-year veteran of Homeland Security, accessed sensitive data including passport and flight records from former colleagues still in government and allegedly passed this information to his client, the Chinese government.

These days, countries like China and Russia do not need to recruit spies. They simply hire local PIs to hunt down the data they desire. Works like a charm.

Mr. Taylor to U.S. government security employee: “Is there a quick way that I can check if some guy’s departed to China?”

Security employee: “He was admitted into the U.S. until 11/26/2021 with a B2 Visa.”

Mr. Taylor: “Thank you brother! Do you smoke cigars or what’s your favorite tequila?”

Talk about cost-effective. Good intel for pennies on the dollar.

KUDOS TO SANTA BARBARA POLICE

Police answered a call from a downtown bar about an inebriated patron intent on driving home but who got talked out of it by attentive staff before a police officer reached the scene.

Officer Kyle Crooks was professional, polite and even demonstrated kindness by summoning a taxi and assisting the patron into it — in addition to offering bandages after he noticed the patron had fallen and cut himself.

This is a side of law enforcement you never read about. But for a few bullies who sneak through hiring procedures and give police a bad name, this is the norm among our nation’s police force, though it should be stated that the goodwill shown by Officer Crooks, given the circumstances, was beyond the call of duty and deserves our admiration.

Kudos also to Jill’s Place, whose staff took appropriate action, thus ensuring the safety of Santa Barbara’s streets.

CHUCKLE OF THE WEEK

Is Montecito the new Mecca for royal rejects?

• “Prince Andrew is ‘Keeping an Eye on’ Harry, Meghan’s Life Abroad.”

Disgraced, stripped of his royal and military honors and recently bounced from palace pad, Randy Andy is said to be considering a new life and business for himself in the USA.

Ready up a room, Harry and Megs, Uncle Drew may come acalling.

Perhaps he will open a teddy bear shop on Coast Village road to share his suspected case of ursusagalmatophilia (a fetish for teddy bears). Someone should phone the writers of “South Park”!

Robert Eringer is a longtime Montecito author with vast experience in investigative journalism. He welcomes questions or comments at reringer@gmail. com.

Currently, no arrests have been made in connection with the disturbance and this is believed to be an isolated incident, police said. This case is currently under active investigation. If anyone has information pertaining to this investigation, police ask you to contact the Santa Barbara Police Department at 805-8972371.

— Neil Hartstein

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ROBERT ERINGER NEWS REVUE

Beard-A-Reno Contest to officially open Elks Rodeo

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER

NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The festivities for the 80th Annual Elks Rodeo will kick off with the time-honored tradition of the Beard-A-Reno Contest. According to this year’s Chairman, Chuck Biely, entrants may enter the contest at the Elks Rodeo Office, at 2325 Skyway Drive, Suite H in Santa Maria starting Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. through April 7 at 5 p.m. All category winners will be awarded at the official dinner on May 20 starting at 4:30 p.m.

A custom-made silver belt buckle will be awarded to the winners of the 7 ‘whisker’ growing categories, including longest beard, blackest beard, whitest beard, reddest beard, best mustache, best attempt and best all-around.

• All beard-growing entrants must be 21 years of age or older.

• All beard-growing entrants must be clean-shaven at the time of registration. Mustaches are exempt and do not need to be shaved.

• Registration fee for all entrants is $30 and includes a BBQ beef rib dinner, beans, salad, and entertainment.

• All persons will be required to show a valid ID at the entrance. General public tickets for the Beard-A-Reno dinner will also go on sale on Feb. 20. To purchase tickets, go to https://www.elksrec. com. It is recommended to get tickets early as the event usually sells out quickly. For more information call the Elks Recreation Office at 805-9254125 or visit https://www.elksrec. com/.

Openings on third district advisory boards, commissions announced

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Elks Recreation Foundation was established in 1943 when it held its first fundraising event, a dance at the Veterans Memorial Building. The funds raised from that event were used to stage the first Elks Rodeo in 1944. The initial twoday event was preceded each day by a mounted parade from the Vet’s Memorial Building to the Santa Maria Fairgrounds. The first rodeo netted Elks Recreation nearly $3,000 that first year, and a long history of fundraising to support local youth sports and recreation was born. Since that time, over $15 Million has been distributed to local youth recreation programs through the Annual Elks Rodeo Queen Contest.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

California AG Bonta announces the formation of a post-conviction review unit

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - California

Attorney General Rob Bonta announced today in Oakland the formation of a Post-Conviction Justice Unit in a new effort to support the integrity of the criminal justice system statewide.

He was joined by Pricilla Ocean, Special Assistant Attorney General Michael Redding; Special Assistant Attorney General Lance Winters; Chief Assistant Attorney General from the Criminal Law Division and staff from all across the Department of Justice (DOJ) who were dedicated to developing the unit and who helped spearhead the announcement.

Mr. Bonta began preparing the unit as soon as he was appointed as attorney general and is the “first ever” in the 175-year history of the DOJ.

Over the course of this last year, a team dedicated solely to the integrity of criminal convictions statewide and working to correct potential miscarriages of justice began to study and analyze conviction integrity work being done across the country and within California. The best practices, approaches and models were reviewed and the team then provided the attorney general with recommendations for the best way for the new unit to have an impact.

The new Post-Conviction Unit seeks to strengthen trust in the criminal justice system and ultimately support public safety.

The new unit is starting off staffed by two attorneys working with the DOJ. Once fully staffed it will be empowered to conduct investigations and reviews aimed at resolving wrongful or improper criminal convictions, including cases where there may be

evidence of significant integrity issues. It will also identify cases that may be suitable for resentencing if the sentence has been determined to be excessive based on the facts or new developments.

The attorney general emphasized two things:

• California prosecutors’ duty to integrity of conviction. They must have a deeper understanding of issues that affect conviction, from DNA to racism, and the importance that every prosecutor’s office to consider how issues of DNA affect their convictions both present and past.

• A commitment to ensuring that California DOJ is leading the way,

“That we are walking the walk. We are already doing this work taking a hard look at cases we’re handling on appeal and considering Racial Justice

Act claims with an eye toward systemic racism,” Mr. Bonta said.

Bonta, stated in launching this new unit, a commitment “To seek justice, not to blindly seek convictions.”

“We will be looking at cases where there is credible evidence of innocence or integrity issues … Nobody should serve time for a crime they didn’t commit,” the AG stated.

The National Registry of Exonerations have shown more than 3,000 exonerations of wrongful convicted since 1989. Additionally, Bonta noted that tens of thousands of individuals have been wrongfully convicted with the majority of convicted persons coming from “communities that are racially and economically disadvantaged and marginalized that do not have the resources to mount a reasonable defense.”

Past mistakes can be discovered with new evidence or scientific advances, and with the unit able to conduct reviews, it is hoped that public trust in the system can be built.

The Post-Conviction Unit will provide independent reviews where there are claims of innocence or of wrongful conviction or integrity issues, provide oversight and consideration of any potential errors or miscarriages of justice, and offer support to other integrity units already in place in some cities..

The Post-Conviction Unit is part of “a growing effort nationwide to find new pathways to seek justice, reduce harm, eliminate racial bias and increase trust in the criminal legal system. Through the postconviction investigations and reviews of individual criminal cases, we will be working to do that here at the California DOJ,” united in pursuit of truth and justice.

Fight was allegedly between SB and Ventura gangs

SHOOTING

Continued from Page A1

Barbara area residents with ties to a local Santa Barbara street gang,” police said. “The opposing group in the altercation has been identified as Ventura County residents with ties to Ventura County street gangs.”

Anyone with information regarding this homicide investigation is asked to call the Santa Barbara Police Department Detective Bureau at 805-897-2347.

“The Santa Barbara Police Department remains committed to ensuring every suspect that the evidence shows participated in the heinous murder of Mr. Gutierrez is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Lt. Corbett said.

The four adult defendants charged in the murder case appeared in Superior Court on Friday to enter pleas, but their arraignments were continued to Feb. 27, Senior Deputy District Attorney Tate McCallister said.

Jiram Jhunue Tenorio Ramon, 22, is charged with murder with the special circumstance of committing the murder to benefit a criminal street gang and the special allegation of personal use of a firearm causing death. He is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder and criminal street gang conspiracy.

Ricardo Tomas Jauregui-Moreno Jr., 20, and Christopher Dave Miranda, 21, are each charged with murder, with special allegations of committing the murder for the benefit of a criminal street gang (Westside-Santa Barbara) and principal use of a handgun, conspiracy to commit murder and criminal street gang conspiracy.

Mr. Jauregui-Moreno is also charged with having been previously convicted of a violent felony or “strike” offense.

James Lee Rosborough, 21, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, criminal street gang conspiracy and being an accessory after the fact, with the special allegation of committing the crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

Prosecutors allege the four adult defendants from

Santa Barbara, driving on Stearns Wharf, verbally challenged their Ventura County rivals, and that they stopped their vehicle for the purpose of deploying two of their party to attack them with a firearm.

Prosecutors said the four Santa Barbara defendants fled the scene of the shooting afterward, two on foot and two by vehicle, and that those in the vehicle then circled back to the location of the shooting to extract those who fled on foot to avoid apprehension.

Santa Barbara police officers and Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol responded around 8:40 p.m. Dec. 9 to the area of Stearns Wharf and Cabrillo Boulevard for a report of a shooting that had just occurred.

Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from a single gunshot wound. The man, later identified as Mr. Gutierrez, was provided medical attention on scene and transported by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment. He died on Dec. 20.

“Mr. Gutierrez’s death was a direct result of the gunshot wound he sustained on Dec. 9, deeming this case a homicide investigation,” police said at the time.

Santa Barbara Police detectives continually investigated the homicide, and “their extensive and diligent investigation led to the identification of multiple suspects connected to a local criminal street gang,” police said.

The Santa Barbara Police Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office executed searchand-arrest warrants at several locations throughout the city and county, and the four adult defendants were arrested.

A 16-year-old male was also arrested on suspicion of being a juvenile in possession of a firearm.

“I am proud of the work done by our police department and their collaboration with other agencies to bring this tragic episode to a final resolution,” Mayor Rowse said in his statement. “The information collected in the process should also help serve to protect and defend this community from a recurrence of these events going forward.”

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is looking to fill vacancies on citizen advisory boards and commissions in the county’s third district.

With the implementation of redistricting in January 2022, the third district now includes the Santa Ynez Valley, and the city of Lompoc along with the Gaviota Coast and the western twothirds of the city of Goleta. The district encompasses a large swath of the Los Padres National Forest, and the entire Santa Ynez River Watershed, one of the most spectacular coastal stretches in California.

“Volunteer service on a Commission or board is a great opportunity to learn about County government while also providing public service by advising the Board of Supervisors on important policy issues affecting our communities,” Supervisor Joan Hartmann said in a press release.

Applicants that live within the third district are preferred, and applicants may need to meet specific eligibility requirements to serve.

The following is a brief description of boards and commissions with current vacancies:

- Air Pollution Control District Community Advisory Council: The purpose of the APCD Community Advisory Council is to provide advice to the Air Pollution Control Officer and the Air Pollution Control Board of Directors in matters related to attainment and maintenance planning, development and promulgation of air pollution control rules and other related policy issues.

- Behavioral Wellness: The Behavioral Wellness Commission is an advisory board to the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness and the Santa Barbara

County Board of Supervisors regarding the County’s provision of mental health and alcohol and other drug programs and services – three positions are currently available for the Third District.

- Board of Architecture Review Central County: The CBAR reviews and provides feedback to applicants ensuring good quality architecture, development, and building design are compatible with community standards in the unincorporated areas of the County between Lompoc and Goleta.

- Fish & Wildlife Commission: The purpose of the Fish & Wildlife Commission is to advise the Board of Supervisors on fish and game matters and make recommendations on all applications or proposals of individuals or organizations for expenditures of fish and game fine revenues, apprise the Board on the current condition of fish and game within the County, recommend projects for the conservation and propagation of fish and game resources within the County, and inspect and report on the progress of fish and game projects undertaken by the County.

- Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission (HLAC): HLAC considers proposals to designate any place, site, building, structure, or object as a place of historic merit or landmark in a county unincorporated territory.

To apply online or learn more about boards and commissions, go to https://www.countyofsb. org/1240/Join-a-Board-Commission-orCommittee.

Application forms are also available at the Office of the Clerk of the Board at 105 E. Anapamu St., Room 407 in Santa Barbara. For questions or assistance with submitting an application, please contact Gina Fischer at 805-568-2192 or gfischer@countyofsb.org. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

The World Famous GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

Marjorie Luke Theatre

WARNING:

Crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products can expose you to chemicals including toluene and benzene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. These exposures can occur in and around oil fields, refineries, chemical plants, transport and storage operations, such as pipelines, marine terminals, tank trucks, and other facilities and equipment. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/petroleum.

The foregoing warning is provided pursuant to Proposition 65. This law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.” This list is compiled in accordance with a procedure established by the Proposition, and can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Proposition 65 requires that clear and reasonable warnings be given to persons exposed to the listed chemicals in certain situations.

including its divisions and subsidiaries (and under the trademarks 76)

Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company LLC (a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation) and its affiliates (and under the trademarks ARCO, USA Gasoline, Shell, Thrifty, and ExxonMobil)

COURTESY PHOTO Attorney General Rob Bonta

Water from the sprinklers caused damage to records in the building’s basement, adding significantly to the cost of repairing the damage.

Man charged with vandalism, held with bail set at $75,000

FIRE

Continued from Page A1

Department 1 will be available for cases normally heard by Judge Patricia Kelly in Department 8, the courtroom Mr. Parker now describes as a “total loss.”

The incident began when the suspect, Eric Spies, 31, allegedly went to the court complex Saturday night, ignored a security guard’s order to leave and broke two glass doors to gain entry into the criminal court building, Mr. Parker said.

Once inside, he allegedly forced his way into the Department 8 courtroom, pulling the doors

so hard that he actually broke the wood frames on the top of the doors, Mr. Parker said.

Mr. Spies then allegedly started a fire on the defense counsel’s chair, which spread to the table and carpet. Mr. Parker said the fire was so hot that it melted the lights in the ceiling and caused the sprinklers to come on.

He said the sprinklers extinguished the fire, but it took so much water that it pretty much destroyed the courtroom. He said the water was 2 inches deep at some points.

Water also infiltrated the courtroom’s adjacent holding cells, but spared the judge’s chambers and court clerk offices, Mr. Parker said.

Santa Maria police and firefighters were

dispatched to the scene shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday.

Police arrested Mr. Spies and booked him into the Northern Branch Jail, with bail set at $75,000.

According to Mr. Parker, the incident began after Mr. Spies received a notice about an upcoming hearing and went to the court complex to see where he had to show up next month on another criminal matter.

“I don’t know his motivation but he told the security guard he wanted to see where to report to court in March,” Mr. Parker said.

The charge? “Vandalism.”

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

New laws impact numerous aspects of housing

CARP

Continued from Page A1

application must now provide a full set of comments to the applicant with a list of items that are deficient and a description of how the application can be remedied.

The law also clarifies that the construction of an ADU does not trigger a change in “Group R” occupancy of the residential building (thereby requiring stricter building code standards) unless an agency makes specific findings that the ADU would create an adverse impact on health and safety.

It also adds front setbacks to the list of objective development standards that local agencies are precluded from imposing if they would prevent construction of an

ADU that is 800 square feet or smaller and adheres to 4 feet of rear and side yard setbacks and revised height limits.

Another bill increases the minimum height limits that local governments may impose on ADUs. It provides minimum height limits of 16 feet for detached ADUs on the same lot with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily dwelling); 18 feet for detached ADUs located on a lot that is within a half-mile of a major transit stop, or detached ADUs on a lot with an existing or proposed multi-story, multifamily dwelling; or 25 feet or base zone height, whatever is lower, for attached ADUs.

The law introduces the potential for two-story ADUs if certain conditions are met, but ensures local agencies are not required to permit three-

story ADUs. Lastly, it clarifies that two detached ADUs may be constructed and qualify for building permit ministerial review on lots with proposed multifamily dwellings. This change will allow developers to include two detached ADUs in their design and planning processes for new multifamily residential projects.

A third law restricts public hearings for projects that reconfigure existing space to add two or fewer bedrooms to improve utilization of existing space in dwelling units. This bill does not impact parking requirements and allows an increase in density within existing properties with the goal to increase the housing stock and bring down the cost of housing.

As for Affordable Housing Development and Housing

Curtain comes down on SBIFF

SHAW, Edwin “Koury”

Edwin “Koury” Shaw was born on July 5, 1932, to William and Malvina Shaw in Santa Barbara, California; the youngest of 6 sons. Koury passed on February 10, 2023, at the age of 90, with laughter and peace in the company of his nephew, Rudy. He attended school until the time of his enlistment in the Army where he went on to serve in Barbara. He is a descendent inducted into the Santa Barbara Trust of Historic Preservation with precious Barbareno Chumash ancestry. Koury was a successful plastering contractor by trade and had many interests in cars and service organizations. Later in life he owned the historical Laguna Store & Deli, till his retirement. If you didn‚Äôt catch, Koury cruising down the road to his favorite breakfast spots to meet up with his best friend George Mattis , then you could catch him at the casino winning big. He was truly a lucky charm, with a smile so vibrant and a heart so generous. He was the king of silly sayings and could always make you laugh. If you told him to meet you at a time, he would always certainly be early! He loved to watch all the westerns in his downtime and call all his family on FaceTime. He will live in our hearts forever.

Ed is survived by his children: Edwin Shaw (Son) and Julie Shaw (Daughter), along with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren a well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Family was the world to Papa Koury and his best days, and our best memories are the times we gathered, whether one on one or with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: William and Malvina; his son, Craig, and brothers: Harvey, Harold, Russell, Rudolph and George. He left as sharp as he arrived and we will all miss him until we meet again.

Graveside service at Calvary Cemetery Santa Barbara is set for 12 pm, Friday February 24, 2023 in the outdoor chapel. A gathering is being planned immediately following the service. For additional information please email ERS0705@icloud.com

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 Weekend and Monday’s editions is at 10a.m. on Thursdays; Tuesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Fridays; Wednesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Mondays; Thursday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Tuesdays; Friday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Wednesdays (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.

Equality, one bill requires local jurisdictions to report their progress towards building Extremely Low lncome units. With the ability to accurately track how many such units are being developed, “California can better allocate funds and develop effective policy for homeless and housing-insecure residents,” staff said.

Another bill strengthens the Housing Element Law to ensure that zones identified for shelters and other interim housing are suitable and available. The bill also requires jurisdictions to demonstrate sufficient capacity on the sites to meet the identified need for interim housing for those experiencing homelessness.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

Life theArts

CALENDAR

“The River Bride” continues Wednesday through Sunday at Allan Hancock College’s Severson Theatre in Santa Maria. The play is about two sisters who are in love with the same man and involves a magical dolphin. For more information, see www.pcpa.org.

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@ newspress.com.

TODAY

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Entangled:

Responding to Environmental Crisis,” runs through March 25 at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. The museum is open from 10 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. It’s closed on Sundays and college holidays. For more information, call 805-565-6162 or visit westmont.edu/museum.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Interlopings:

Colors in the Warp and Weft of Ecological Entanglements” is an exhibit that runs through March 12 at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The exhibit features weavings dyed with pigments from non-native plants on Santa Cruz Island. The weavings were created by artists Helen Svensson and Lisa Jevbratt. For more information, see sbbotanicgarden.org.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Coast artist and London native Annie Hoffman’s exhibit “Seeing Ourselves in Colour” will be displayed through Feb. 28 at Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. For more information, visit anniehoffmann.com.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical. org.

‘From the Vine’

Barbecue boot camp to feature favorite vintages at Alisal Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Back by popular demand, the BBQ Bootcamp at Alisal Ranch will now be held three times a year, with the first one scheduled for March 5-8 at the 10,500-acre spread in Solvang.

The camp’s theme is “From the Vine.”

Featured will be California wineries pouring their favorite vintages and teaching guests

how to pair and incorporate them into grilling recipes in addition to a private tasting excursion.

The BBQ Bootcamp brings some of the nation’s top chefs and grill masters to the ranch, where they will prepare indulgent barbecue feasts, demonstrate their unique approach to grilling (even desserts!) and share their barbecue secrets, tips, and tricks. Chef Valerie Gordon will be in charge.

The celebrated Los Angeles chocolatier and James Beard finalist cookbook author for 2013’s “Sweet,” founded Valerie Confections in 2004 and eventually guided the confectionery to become one of the nation’s most highly acclaimed boutique chocolatiers. In addition to emceeing the bootcamp, Ms. Gordon will conduct two of her own cooking demonstrations, sharing recipes and tips for grilling desserts.

Craig Riker, Alisal Ranch’s executive chef, will be offering

a hands-on, interactive steak grilling demonstration. In addition, Frank Ostini of Hitching Post ll returns to the BBQ Bootcamp lineup with a wine tasting and burger lunch. The legendary restaurant owner, chef and winemaker is most recognized for his Buellton restaurant, which appeared in the 2004 movie “Sideways.”

Govind Armstrong, who is returning to the ranch after participating in a California Ranch Cookout last year, will demonstrate and pair grilled

seafood with wine, a first for BBQ Bootcamp.

Chef Armstrong, who was raised on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, uses a seasonal approach to cooking and sustainability that has resulted in a slate of celebrated restaurants in Los Angeles, Miami and New York. They include Chadwick, Table 8, 8oz Burger Bar, Willie Jane and Post & Beam. He is often recognized for

Please see BOOT CAMP on B2

7 p.m. Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson will perform at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. For more information, go to lobero.org/events/jack-johnson.

FEB. 22

1:30 p.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

FEB. 23 10 a.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

FEB. 24 7 p.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

FEB. 25

1:30 and 7 p.m. The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

FEB. 26

1:30 p.m. The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria.

The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

MARCH 2

7:30 p.m. The Miro Quartet will perform at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Admission is $20 for museum members and $25 for nonmembers.

Managing

COURTESY PHOTOS

The BBQ Bootcamp will return March 5-8 at Alisal Ranch in Solvang.

At left, Chef Valerie Gordon emcees the boot camp. Center, Barbecuing demonstrations are part of the experience. At right, California wineries will pour their favorite vintages at the boot camp.

Former Santa Barbara poet laureate honored for her children’s book

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara Poet Laureate

Emerita Sojourner Kincaid Rolle has received national recognition for her illustrated children’s book, “Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem,” according to the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture.

In commemoration of Black History Month, the School Library Journal has published a list of “15 Nonfiction and Fiction Titles for Young Readers About Slavery in the United States,” which highlights the significance of Ms. Rolle’s book.

Additional authors on the list include Pulitzer Prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones, Newbery Award winner Renée Watson and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens.

The SLJ noted that its recommended titles “cover some of the experiences lived by the enslaved in this country from

1619 (the first slave ship) to 1865 (Juneteenth)” and can offer a “nuanced presentation of major historical events of Black history.”

Ms. Rolle’s writing is praised for its “lyrical feel that evokes a range of emotions, from sadness for the realities of the many

hardships still faced right after emancipation, to the hope and resilience of newfound freedom.”

“Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem’’ was illustrated by Alex Bostic, the renowned artist who created the 2022 Edmonia Lewis Commemorative Forever stamp for the USPS Black Heritage Series.

The book has received national acclaim from Kirkus Reviews, PBS, Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist, where it received a starred review and Editor’s Choice designation. It is available at Barnes and Noble and through Rolle’s website, sojournerkincaidrolle.com.

Sojourner Kincaid Rolle served as Santa Barbara Poet Laureate from 2015 to 17 and was succeeded by Enid Osborn, Laure-Anne Bosselaar and Emma Trelles. The search for the city’s next poet laureate is currently under way. email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

UCSB alum among first Peace Corp volunteers to return to service overseas

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

UCSB graduate Maximiliano Torres is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020.

The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was motivated to join the Peace Corps in order to help other

communities while seeing the world,” Mr. Torres said. “I hope to gain more experience in teaching and a better perspective in global affairs. I’m excited to adapt to a different environment and create new bonds.”

Mr. Torres graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics. He will serve as a volunteer in Costa Rica in the education sector. The volunteer cohorts are made up of both first-time volunteers and volunteers who were evacuated in early 2020. Upon

finishing a three-month training, volunteers will collaborate with their host communities on locally prioritized projects in one of Peace Corps’ six sectors — agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health or youth in development — and all will engage in COVID-19 response and recovery work.

Currently, the agency is recruiting volunteers to serve in 56 countries around the world at the request of host country governments, to connect through

the Peace Corps’ grassroots approach across communities and cultures. Volunteers have already returned to a total of 48 countries around the world.

The Peace Corps continues to monitor COVID-19 trends in all of its host countries and will send volunteers to serve as conditions permit. Americans interested in transformative service and lifelong connections should apply to Peace Corps service at www. peacecorps.gov/apply.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

Tree planting under way in Santa Maria

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department continues planting trees throughout the community.

This winter, staff planted 250 trees in city parks and 50 trees along sidewalks and street medians.

The department will plant 235 15-gallon street trees as part of the Cal Fire Urban and Community

Forestry Grant. Additionally, 125 large street trees will be planted using the annual street tree budget.

The department is also planting trees in front of residences. Residents interested in having a tree planted in the easement at their home can contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 805-925-0951, ext. 2260. The department staff will also provide regular pruning. The value of trees is

experienced every day in many ways. Trees help cool temperatures, slow traffic and provide homes for wildlife. Trees also absorb air pollutants and greenhouse gasses, provide oxygen and increase property values.

To give input on how the city should manage the Urban Forest, consider taking the Urban Forest Management Plan survey. Responses to this survey will be kept anonymous, and findings from the survey will only be reported in

group form. All survey responses will be stored securely and confidentially. For more information, go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/ santamariatrees. For information in Spanish (Español), see www.surveymonkey. com/r/arbolessantamaria. Questions can be directed to the Recreation and Parks Department at 805- 925-0951, ext. 2260.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

BOOT CAMP

Continued from Page A1

his appearances on “Top Chef” and “Iron Chef America” and is the author of “Small Bites, Big Nights: Seductive Little Plates for Intimate Occasions and Lavish Parties.”

Helen Johannesen of Helen’s Wines will pair up with Chef Gordon for a wine, cheese and chocolate tasting experience.

With four locations in Los Angeles, sommelier Johannesen’s wine shops focus on naturally driven and organically farmed labels, small production vineyards,

wine makers with integrity, lower intervention élevage and dynamic thoughtful wines. She is also celebrated for her “WineFace” podcast.

In addition to the guest chef experiences, participants will be taken to the nearby Folded Hills winery for a private, expert-led tasting.

Starting at $945/a night for double occupancy, the adultsonly, multi-day package at Alisal Ranch includes:

• Western-themed accommodations for three nights.

• All meals and specialty dinners.

• A selection of alcoholic and

nonalcoholic beverages.

• Demonstrations on grilling methods, equipment, barbecuing, spice blending and more.

• Special event keepsakes.

• Hay wagon ride to the historic adobe for breakfast.

Future iterations of the experience this year include BBQ Bootcamp: Spring Classic in May and BBQ Bootcamp: World BBQ in October. Dates and guest chef lineups will be announced.

“It has been exciting to see guests fall in love with our BBQ Bootcamp experience and return year-after-year to learn from the very best in the industry of food and wine,” said Kathleen Cochran, Alisal Ranch general

manager. “We are starting 2023 with an incredible lineup of talented chefs, who each bring something unique to barbecue, a cuisine that has always been celebrated as part of our ranch’s unique and timeless history.” email: mmcmahon@newspress. com

The BBQ Bootcamp will take place March 5-8 at Alisal Ranch in Solvang. For more information, call 800-4254725 or visit www.alisalranch.com/ experiences/bbq-bootcamp.

COURTESY PHOTO

Sojourner Kincaid Rolle holds a copy of her book, “Free at Last,” as she stands in the Faulkner Gallery at the Central Library in Santa Barbara.

COURTESY PHOTO

Chef Valerie Gordon takes a selfie with the crowd behind her at the boot camp.

Diversions

HOROSCOPE

Aries: Someone or something may spur you on today, Aries. You may feel a nagging impulse to get up and do something.

Follow that instinct and stop moaning about staying in bed. The practical truth may be sobering, but as you know, balance is key. Bring equilibrium to the situation by taking a good, honest look at your emotional state. Realize what you need to do to keep it running smoothly.

Taurus: Bite the bullet and get it done, Taurus. Finish the projects and get the lingering odds and ends out of your way. There are stable energies today that will bring a practical breath of fresh air to any situation. Take a step back from the swirling winds and observe your inner self. Realize how your actions and emotions affect others and think about adjusting your habits accordingly.

Gemini: Today might not be as lighthearted and free-spirited as you’d like, Gemini, but don’t sweat it. Work with the grounded energy of the day to complete tasks that have been wearing on you for a while. Take a step back from the drama in your life and observe your emotions from a loftier viewpoint. Realize how your actions have been affecting others. Tone things down and evaluate.

Cancer: Today is a fantastic day for you, Cancer. Things are naturally flowing your way. You can accomplish a great deal. There are few hurdles in your way, perhaps none. You’re well disciplined about your time and what’s needed to get the job done and how to meet your goals. Your emotions are especially calm and stable, giving you the opportunity to observe and evaluate them from a neutral viewpoint.

Leo: There’s a conservative air today that doesn’t fit well with your erratic, unconventional nature, Leo. Things might pop up to remind you that you should be a bit more disciplined in your approach. Your thoughts and emotions are perhaps a bit less controlled than usual, so take this time to become centered and evaluate the truth. Today is a good day to focus.

Virgo: Something is tugging you back down to reality, Virgo. Your mind has tended to be in the clouds lately, but now you need to ground your emotions and realize that you operate on a physical plane, too. Your emotions are stable for now, affording you a chance to step back and evaluate how you’ve been treating yourself. Make sure you give yourself the

SUDOKU

attention you deserve.

Libra: There’s a conservative veil over your emotions, Libra. Issues from the past might arise and rub you the wrong way. You move onward and upward by nature, plowing ahead without thinking of the consequences. Today you might be a bit more sober than usual. Look at what’s worked in the past in terms of keeping your fiery emotions intact. Try not to resent the past but learn from it.

Scorpio: Today is fantastic for tuning in to your inner self, Scorpio. You will have a level, grounded mind from which to make conscious evaluations of your emotional state. Trust your instincts and make realistic plans for the future. You’re especially disciplined today, and you have a keen sense of what your goals and objectives are. Use this grounded energy to get things done.

Sagittarius: You may feel a bit weighed down today, Sagittarius, and perhaps more reserved than usual. Someone may be raining on your parade, but don’t let it get you down. Use the grounded energy of the day to get things done. You have your hands full with many tasks, so sit down and bring them to completion. Calm your nervous system and balance your frantic emotions. Ease off the caffeine.

Capricorn: Today’s a good day to ground your fluctuating emotions, Capricorn. Step back from the drama you create and evaluate your inner state. Are you fooling yourself into thinking everything’s OK when it really isn’t? Be honest with your highest truths and ground yourself back in reality. Write down your thoughts.

Aquarius: Things may be calm today, Aquarius. You might not be your boisterous self, but that could be a good thing. Use the sobering energy to evaluate your emotions and honestly look at your relationships. Are you getting the respect you deserve? Perhaps you need to tell some people that their words or actions aren’t OK. Meanwhile, get things done. Take care of errands and check items off your list.

Pisces: Today is a great day for you, Pisces. Everything is flowing your way as more pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Your fluctuating emotions are grounded and calm, letting you stand back and evaluate your true inner state. Have you been giving yourself the attention you deserve? This is your day. Get things done.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

“My husband and I play together,” a member of my club told me. “He’s faster than me, and it’s a case of ‘she who hesitates is bossed.’ If I take time to think, he gets impatient.”

My friend said she had been West in today’s deal and led the jack of spades against South’s three hearts. (North might have made 3NT.)

“My jack won,” West told me, “and I paused to consider, as is my habit. My husband fidgeted in his chair and sighed, as if he was urging me to get on with it, so I mentally shrugged and continued with the ten of spades. My husband took the queen and ace and led a club to my ace. South won the next club, drew trumps and claimed nine tricks.”

BEST DEFENSE

If West takes her time, she may find the best defense. West can expect South to have at least three spades, so West can take her ace of clubs at Trick Two, then continue spades. On the third spade, she discards her deuce of clubs and gets a club ruff for down one.

A good player lets his partner play at her own pace.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: J 10

CODEWORD PUZZLE

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. 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

doubles, you respond (“advance”) one heart, the opening bidder rebids two clubs and two passes follow. What do you say?

ANSWER: You can’t sell out at the two level when your side has at least half of the high-card strength in the deck and has a trump fit available. Bid two diamonds. If your red-suit holdings were reversed, you would bid two hearts.

9 7

The dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner

PUBLIC NOTICES

Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday as the nation nears its one-year anniversary of repelling the invasion of Russian troops.

President Biden met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and held a joint press conference to “reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”

“That dark night one year ago the world was literally at the time bracing for the fall of Kyiv,” President Biden said at a news conference with the Ukrainian leader.

The U.S. has sent well over $100 billion in aid to Ukraine.

“I will announce another delivery of critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments,” President Biden said in a statement Monday morning. “And I will share that later this week, we will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine.”

President Biden is also visiting Poland during his trip to the region.

“I also look forward to traveling on to Poland to meet President Duda and the

Fiscal 2023 Q1: 260 prosecuted for human smuggling into Arizona

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

leaders of our Eastern Flank Allies, as well as deliver remarks on how the United States will continue to rally the world to support the people of Ukraine and the core values of human rights and dignity in the UN Charter that unite us worldwide,” the president said in a statement.

President Biden took fire for traveling overseas to Ukraine before visiting East

Palestine, Ohio, where a train carrying dangerous materials derailed on Feb. 3. The subsequent handling of those materials has sparked controversy and raised ecological and health concerns in the area.

“If you want to understand why so many Americans are frustrated right now: Biden is in Ukraine before Ohio,” Sen. Eric Schmitt, RMo., wrote on Twitter.

Poll: Americans oppose race as a factor in college admission decisions

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – As the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether it should be legal to use race as a factor in college admissions, new polling shows Americans oppose the idea.

private and public schools, respectively, in the country. The Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that colleges may consider race in admissions to help diversify their campuses. That could change depending on the Supreme Court’s decision.

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

(The Center Square) – In the first three months of fiscal 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought criminal charges against nearly 1,456 foreign nationals who’d illegally entered and then reentered the U.S. They also filed 260 cases against individuals charged with smuggling illegal foreign nationals in Arizona.

The cases are from the Tucson and Yuma U.S. Customs and Border Protection Sectors in Arizona, which cover the entire Arizona-Mexico border. The numbers only include U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutions and exclude CBP prosecutions.

The Yuma Sector covers the southeast corner of Arizona – approximately 181,670 square miles of primarily desert terrain divided between California and Arizona and 126 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border from the Imperial Sand Dunes in California to the Yuma-Pima County line in Arizona. The Tucson Sector covers most of the state of Arizona from the New Mexico State line to the Yuma County line and 262 shared border miles with Mexico. Both sectors saw more than 816,000 apprehensions and gotaways in fiscal 2022, a record high.

Tucson Sector Chief John Modlin recently testified before Congress that the “vast majority of encounters are single adult males attempting to avoid detection. The smuggling organizations to our south are very well organized and resourceful,” Chief Modlin said, referring to Mexican cartels. “Each and every person crossing through the Tucson Sector must pay these criminal organizations. These criminal organizations employ various tactics to move thousands of migrants illegally across the border.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the cases in partnership with officials from CBP Tucson and Yuma Sectors, Homeland Security Investigations, and others.

“Reducing migrant smuggling and mitigating the risk to communities impacted by these offenses continues to be a priority” of the office, it said in a statement. “Some of these prosecutions are directed against leaders and coordinators of non-U.S. citizen smuggling organizations, “ referring to Mexican cartels. “Other prosecutions are aimed at deterring young adult drivers, often recruited over social media platforms, from engaging in this dangerous activity. Prosecutions against young drivers include three cases brought against juvenile smugglers during this time period.”

Law enforcement officials have told The Center Square they’ve identified a trend of increasingly apprehending young adults responding to social media posts to pick up and transport illegal foreign nationals along the border and drive them north to drop off points with the hope of making several thousand dollars a carload. When caught, instead they are charged with multiple felony counts of smuggling of persons, which can carry a sentence of multiple years in prison.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has proposed increasing penalties for violating the state crime of human smuggling to a minimum of 10 years in prison. Others have proposed five years in prison per count of smuggling. On Thursday, Gov. Abbott said, “Illegal smuggling is being aided and abetted by U.S. residents. That must stop. We must impose a mandatory minimum jail sentence of at least 10 years for anyone caught smuggling illegal immigrants in Texas.” Texas law enforcement officials and residents of border communities have told The Center Square they support the state increasing stronger penalties for human smuggling.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 62% of Americans oppose higher education institutions using race as a factor when deciding who to admit. The majority of Americans favor diversity in higher education, but they don’t support using affirmative action policies to obtain it.

The analysis found 52% of minority respondents surveyed said they opposed using race as a factor.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the matter by June after one group filed suit against Harvard and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over their race-based admissions policy, pointing out they hurt other students.

As The Center Square previously reported, the schools argue that these policies have become common in their field.

“In recent years, surveys have reported that 41.5% of universities, and 60% of universities that admit 40% or fewer of applicants, consider race to some degree,” Harvard said in a legal filing.

Harvard and Carolina are the oldest

“But public schools have no legitimate interest in maintaining a precise racial balance, and they have no compelling interest in preventing minor dips in average SAT scores,” Students for Fair Admissions, a group that has led both challenges, wrote in a court filing. “The same Fourteenth Amendment that required public schools to dismantle segregation after Brown cannot be cowed by the diktats of university administrators. If California and Michigan can maintain elite public universities without sorting applicants by race, then North Carolina can, too.” UNC defended itself in oral arguments, pointing out that it creates diversity across a range of metrics, including admitting more veterans and rural students.

Critics argue race-based affirmative action policies are inherently discriminatory and wrong.

“Since 2014, over 20,000 students, parents and others have joined our membership to help restore colorblind principles to our nation’s schools, colleges and universities,” Students for Fair Admissions said on its website.

Activist puts out guide for lawmakers on how to deal with gender in schools

By TOM GANTERT THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - Christopher

Rufo broke a story in 2022 about gender activists at Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospitals and public-school administrators collaborating to provide sexually explicit material and promoting “radical gender theory” to students.

Mr. Rufo, a senior fellow and director of the initiative on critical race theory at the Manhattan Institute, wrote the hospital provided a policy guide for school administrators that encouraged the schools to adopt a “gender-affirming approach” to curriculum and allow students to play sports and use restrooms in accordance with their gender identity.

Mr. Rufo’s reporting on the gender battles in public schools has drawn widespread attention. He was described by a 2022 New York Times article as “the conservative activist who probably more than any other person made critical race theory a rallying cry on the right – and who has become, to some on the left, an agitator of intolerance.”

In January, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Mr. Rufo to the New College of Florida board of trustees. The board of trustees then removed the president amid claims by DeSantis’ administration that the college was putting political ideology above teaching students, the Wall Street Journal reported. And in February, Mr. Rufo released a guide he developed for state legislatures on how they could “curb the excesses of radical gender theory in public schools.”

The guide proposes that legislators pass

laws forbidding public school teachers, administrators and employees from encouraging students from withholding information from their parents about gender identity related issues. It also would mandate that parents be informed about anything gender-related involving their child.

For example, the guide states, “No classroom instruction on human sexuality, sex education, gender identity, or -concepts shall occur in kindergarten through grade 5,” unless it is required by the law.

Mr. Rufo also has put out a parent’s guide with how to deal with Critical Race Theory.

GLSEN, formerly the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, did not respond to an email seeking comment. Tina Dyakon of the Poynter Institute didn’t respond to an email seeking comment. The National Association of Secondary School Principals didn’t respond to an email seeking comment. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation also didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.

Larry Sand, a former teacher and president of the non-profit California Teachers Empowerment Network, was supportive of Mr. Rufo’s guide.

“The most important part of ‘A Model for School Practices Relating to Sexuality and Gender’ is that schools must become more transparent … with an emphasis on ‘parent,’” Mr. Sand said in an email to The Center Square. “Throughout this impressive document, Rufo stresses that parents must give consent before their children’s teachers get into dicey areas that were unthinkable and even scandalous until most recently.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

President Joe Biden, above, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky