Good wood
Cottage Residential Center offers help during pandemic Program aids people during their recovery from addiction - A4
Our 165th Year
Foresters spread holiday cheer with Christmas Tree deliveries - A7
T U E S DAY, DE C E M BE R 2 2 , 2 0 2 0
Get these to Santa!
75¢
More relief coming House passes COVID-19 relief package By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
The second round of stimulus checks are finally on their way to millions of Americans as part of Congress’s coronavirus aid deal. Late Sunday afternoon, Senate leadership announced a bipartisan deal on a $900 billion economic relief package, including individual benefits, small business help, Broadband access and more. The House of Representatives passed the relief measure on Monday by a vote of 359 to 53 and the Senate is expected to approve it quickly and send it to the president, with a seven-day stop-gap spending bill to allow time to process the combined relief and annual funding bills, and prevent a government shutdown.
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS
With just days until Christmas, these important letters for Santa Claus are ready to go from a mailbox in the 4800 block of Ashton Street in Goleta. The special mailbox and its decorative letters are part of the holiday spirit at homes throughout the area. To see more decorated homes, turn to A3.
By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Bikeshare pilot program preparing to launch in mid-January NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Residents of Santa Barbara will now have access to 250 public electric bikes, possibly as soon as the second week of January. After receiving City Council approval in October, a bike share system called BCycle was finally able to start installing docking stations last week along State Street, on every block from Sola to Gutierrez Street, along with its side streets. The bikes themselves will likely be docked the second week of
January, complete with a virtual ribbon cutting. This marks phase one of the three-year long pilot program, and will include 500 dock station installations throughout the city, with locations on both the Eastside and the Westside. After the trial run, the city will determine whether or not to keep the bikes. Eastside locations will include near the Eastside Library, by the dance studio on Cota and Salsipuedes Streets and near the Trader Joe’s on Milpas Street. Please see bikeshare on A6
FOLLOW US ON
6
66833 00050
3
RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS
BCycle has installed electric bike docking stations all along State Street. The installation is in preparation of the city’s bike share program, which could start as soon as the second week of January.
The pandemic has created a larger scuffle for in-demand gifts this year as both local and national retailers struggle to even get toys on the shelves before they sell out. Meanwhile, cunning shoppers take advantage of the situation, selling the sold-out goods for a premium online. The character that best represents the commotion is Baby Yoda (whose name is Grogu, for those who don’t watch The Mandalorian). One of the hottest toys this season is Hasbro’s animatronic Grogu doll “The Child.” The 7.2-inch-tall figure retails for $59.99, but is out of stock at most stores. So, eBay and Facebook
marketplace has sellers who purchased the toy early selling it for a profit. Last weekend, eBay sellers sold the figurine for up to $140 but most sold at around $80. A Facebook Marketplace seller in Ventura is asking $90 for her Baby Yoda. “Any baby yoda toy or action figure, we just can’t keep on the shelf,” said Bob Ficarra, owner of Metro Entertainment. “Star Wars Mandalorian definitely leads the pack. Anything related to that show has been hard to keep in stock.” His store, located at 6 W Anapamu St. in downtown Santa Barbara, sells comics, toys, games and more. Despite the pandemic’s strain on local businesses, his profits are slightly better than last year. “Right now, everything is going Please see gifts on A8
LOTTERY
ins id e Classified............... A6 Life.................... A3-4
COVID-19 amplifies holiday supply and demand Must-have gifts sold for a premium
Cycle down State Street By GRAYCE MCCORMICK
Direct payment checks in the amount of $600 will be available for every adult and child earning up to $75,000, according to national media reports. Individuals who earn between $75,000 and $99,000 will receive smaller checks, and those who earn over $99,000 won’t receive any benefits. Dependent children under the age of 17 will also receive the same $600 checks as adults as well, but adults who are nevertheless claimed as dependents, such as college students, may not. Jobless workers will receive up to $300 per week as soon as Dec. 27 through mid-March, and extended assistance will be provided for self-employed people and gig workers as a part Please see relief on A8
Obituaries............. A8 Sudoku................. A5 Weather................ A8
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 10-15-25-31-33 Meganumber: 21
Monday’s DAILY 4: 2-1-1-2
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 7-15-25-51-60 Meganumber: 5
Monday’s FANTASY 5: 2-4-5-31-38
Monday’s DAILY DERBY: 12-02-06 Time: 1:47.47
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 27-32-34-43-52 Meganumber: 13
Monday’s DAILY 3: 9-9-4 / Sunday’s Midday 0-1-0
18K White Diamond and Invisible Set Sapphire Pendant
812 Stat e St ree t • Sa n ta Ba rba r a 805.966.9187 Brya n tAndSons.com