Santa Barbara News-Press: July 05, 2023

Death at the border

Migrant child dies after crossing in Arizona - A2

Flight into mystery

Review: ‘Hijack’ is a good ride, but series lacks the excitement of a movie - B1

Red, white and true

Fourth of July spirit soars at Santa Barbara County celebrations

Prosecutors say murdered woman was victim of real estate fraud

Sheriff’s Office continues to seek information on Montecito homicide

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS COUNTY EDITOR

Before she was found suffocated in her Montecito house last May, a murdered 96year-old woman was already the victim of another crime: real estate fraud, with the alleged aim of stealing her home, prosecutors said.

The alleged perpetrator of that fraud — Pauline Lisa Macareno, 47, of Los Angeles — remains behind bars while awaiting her second arraignment in the 18count felony case filed against her, Senior Deputy District Attorney Casey Nelson told the News-Press.

“She is in custody, and her bail is set at $1 million,” he said.

“She recently picked up a new misdemeanor battery charge in jail, so that might add a small amount to her bail.”

Ms. Macareno was initially arraigned a little over a year ago, and her preliminary hearing was held on June 1, the prosecutor said. A judge ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence at the hearing to hold her over for trial, and her second arraignment was set for June 13. She did not appear for her arraignment, however, and the matter was continued again until June 20, DDA Nelson said. On that date, it was continued again until Aug 1. In the Information filed against her following her preliminary hearing, prosecutors charged Ms. Macareno with conspiracy, identity theft, loan sharking, forgery, first-degree residential burglary, and the filing of false documents with the state and county.

Please see HOMICIDE on A4

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

As pedestrians and bicyclists headed past a series of American flags on State Street toward West Beach, they heard DJ Joseph Souza spinning Don McLean’s iconic “American Pie” in front of — what else? — a giant American flag.

No doubt about it. The spirit of Independence Day soared Tuesday, from the crowds at West Beach and Stearns Wharf to Fourth of July parades in Solvang, Montecito and Lompoc.

On West Beach, Mr. Souza wasn’t alone on the big stage. Several women danced to his songs and at one point did a kickline, like The Rockettes.

Thousands of people gathered early Tuesday afternoon in tents and on blankets on the beach to guarantee a good seat for that evening’s fireworks show.

Likewise, fireworks soared in the skies above the Santa Inés Mission in Solvang and North Avenue Baptist Church in Lompoc.

Throughout the day, restaurants and bars in locations such as State Street were busy with customers, many of whom were tourists.

The News-Press heard various languages, including German, spoken by passersby on State Street.

Restaurants showed their patriotic spirit with flags. Baja Sharkeez even brought in a large, inflated Uncle Sam to stand outside its doors.

People celebrating the Fourth were clearly ready to party. You could see that on Stearns Wharf, where an afternoon of outdoor music began with the Brasscals.

The large ensemble of brass, woodwind and percussion players enthusiastically played jazz

outside the Old Wharf Trading Co. and interacted with audience members dancing in front of them. In fact, during one song, the musicians walked around the dancers as they played.

A trombone player sat down on a curb next to kids and adults. She didn’t miss a beat.

Later, longtime local band Area

51 played at the wharf.

Back at the West Beach stage, bands varied from Peer Pressure to The Free Radicals, Rock Shop Review, Drifting Dimension and

Golf Sucks. Also performing were Time Travelers Bridget & Sophia and La Boheme Dancers, followed by The Roosters and Spencer the Gardener.

In Solvang, there was a lot to see during the Danish-American community’s traditional Fourth of July parade.

“There were 82 entries, huge crowds, beautiful weather and great American fun for all,” Allan Jones, a volunteer with the Rotary Club of Solvang, told the NewsPress in an email. “Everyone

seemed to have a great time.”

Judges were impressed. They gave the parade’s Sweepstakes Award to Flat Fender Friends.

The Best Use of A Parade Theme was presented to Alisal Ranch.

The Most Patriotic? That award went to the Daughters of the American Revolution, La Purisima and Refugio Del Cielo chapters.

The Best Band? The judges said that was the Santa Ynez Valley

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about this 2015-2018 white Porsche Cayenne, seen entering a Montecito property during a homicide. This photo is from surveillance footage. If you know anything about the suspect associated with this car, you’re asked to call the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau at 805-681-4150.

nEWs-PRE ss EXCLU siVE

Officials discuss status of State Street parklets

Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series about State Street parklets.

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS COUNTY EDITOR

Last week, the Santa Barbara City Council looked to the future of the Downtown Promenade by extending the closure of lower State Street and the use of that space by pedestrians, bicyclists and diners at a series of outdoor restaurant parklets beyond the original Dec. 31 deadline.

As a result, lower State Street will remain closed to motorists on the 500 to 1200 blocks. Parklets also will be allowed

on the 400 and 1300 blocks and the zero blocks of West Victoria Street. Motorists will be allowed, but will have to follow revised vehicle configurations now in place.

The council vote extended the temporary emergency ordinance authorizing the partial closure of State Street to traffic and allowing for the parklets to operate in the public right-ofway until Dec. 31, 2026 or the adoption of the completed State Street Master Plan, whichever comes first.

The question, however, remains: What’s the status of the parklets today in terms of the

Please see PARKLETS on A4

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Dancers on stage kick off an afternoon of music at West Beach while DJ Joseph Souza spun the tunes.

A large crowd gathers early Tuesday afternoon on West Beach for music and a good seat for the evening’s fireworks.

Over $6 million proposed to help transgender inmates re-enter society

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square)Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) has written a bill AB1487 which is making its way through the senate. It’s the second bill of its kind introduced by Assemblyman Santiago.

AB 1487 would establish “the Transgender, Gender Variant, and Intersex (TGI) Wellness Reentry Fund (TGI Fund) in the State Treasury, “to fund grant programs focused on reentry programs to support TGI people reentering society from incarceration.”

The Committee on Health referred the bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee which had the Suspense File hearing on the bill today.

Under the Joint Rules of the Senate, Assembly AB 1487: The Transgender, Gender Variant, and Intersex Wellness Reentry Fund, having been heard and passed in the policy committee, is eligible for the suspense file because it arrived without a suggestion for funding. Both assemblies

use suspension as a means to streamline fiscal bill hearings to one day.

“California Department of Public Health (CDPH) notes the bill does not specify a funding source or amount,” analysis by the state assembly appropriation committee said. “Nonetheless CDPH anticipates a need for funding for the size of the grant funds, as well as state operations, such as staff support, training, and technical assistance for grantees.”

Anthony Portantino, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee raised the bill with the committee today noting that it was a “suspense candidate, the author has waived presentation,” in a routine that all suspension bills endure.

Assemblyman Santiago and any supporters of the bill will now try to influence the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, committee staff members and any other interested parties to give the bill a hearing on the floor of the appropriations committee at a later date. Given the smooth

passage through both health policy committees, Assemblyman Santiago can well find the support and votes he needs.

At today’s hearing however, it wasn’t policy that opposed AB 1487, but those with fiscal responsibility.

“Finance is currently opposed to the bill. We estimate a total cost of approximately $756,000 general fund to support two positions and $1.1 million general fund to support evaluation and technical assistance contracts as well as $5 million general fund to provide the grants to TGI serving organizations,” a finance representative stated.

And this is where the second bill authored by Assemblyman Santiago comes into effect. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires the Office of Health Equity (OHE) to administer the Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex (TGI) Wellness and Equity Fund with regard to AB 1487.

The TGI Wellness and Equity Fund was created in 2020

Migrant child dies after crossing U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona

through another Santiago bill AB 2218: “to fund grants for “increasing the capacity of health care professionals to effectively provide TGI health care and institute TGI-inclusive best practices; facilitating therapeutic arts programs; and assisting, identifying, and referring TGI people to access supportive housing.” It was appropriated $13 million in the 2020 budget.

If enacted, AB 1487 will fund “Reentry programs includ[ing] emergency, transitional, or permanent housing; employment opportunities and related support; career development training; entrepreneurship opportunities; mental and general health care; legal assistance; services navigation; case management; financial assistance and literacy; and other wraparound services,” to previously imprisoned transgendered, gender variant and intersex individuals reentering society.

The bill is sponsored by the California Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex Policy Alliance.

Newsom celebrates as first group of ‘the CHP 1,000’ graduate

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH

THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - One hundred and one new California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers were sworn in during a graduation ceremony at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento last Friday. The new officers increase California’s cadre of sworn officers to 6,550, the largest state police agency in the nation.

“This diverse group of officers represents the best of California,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The administration launched a campaign last year, “the CHP 1,000” to enhance CHP numbers as part of the Public Safety Plan.

Over $250 million in grants was allocated for local law enforcement for 2023-2025 to improve

CHP numbers, establish a permanent Smash and Grab Enforcement Unit and increase street patrols. The new officers will take up assignments throughout the state with some deploying to San Francisco in support of the joint public safety operations combating fentanyl distribution and gang networks there.

Gov. Newsom so far is pleased with the results of the campaign, with 238 cadets in training and another 128 expected to join the CHP Academy in July, the most candidates in training since 2009. The graduating class represents the first group since the campaign was announced. “I’m profoundly grateful they have chosen to answer the call to serve — and committed themselves to improving public safety and building trust across the Golden State,” Gov.

Newsom said.

Recruitment for CHP is ongoing.

“At the California Highway Patrol we set a very high standard. Our job is critical and we take an oath to stand for something bigger than ourselves – to provide safety, service and security to all the citizens and visitors of our state,” the recruitment site states.

Training at the academy takes place over 26 weeks at the elite campus in Sacramento. Cadets earn a monthly salary of $5,879-$7,535, monthly overtime compensation, CAHP union benefits, full health and dental benefits for themselves and dependents and free room and board while attending.

Interested persons can apply to become one of 1,000 in the ongoing search for new candidates.

By CAMERON ARCAND THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - A 9year-old migrant child died at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona on June 17 after suffering from seizures at the United StatesMexico border.

The child was traveling with his mother and another child across the border in the Tucson sector, and the mother called 911 at night on June 15 saying her son was “experiencing seizures”, according to the press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Border Patrol was tasked with finding where the family was located, and local and federal personnel had to respond “on foot.”

The release went on to give more details about the rescue, as a Tubac Fire Department EMS and Border Patrol agent were originally carrying the child back to an ambulance, but another agent with an ATV was able to finish transporting him to the vehicle. The child was first brought to Northwest Medical Center in Sahuarita and then flown to Mesa the following afternoon.

Before the child died, Banner determined he had “multi-organ failure” and he was placed on life support, the press release said. The press release added that the mother said that heat likely played a major factor. The high temperature in Sahuarita was 90 degrees

on June 15, according to Accuweather.

As migrants continue to flow across the border, the summer desert heat is considered a top concern when it comes to the safety of people arriving. There have been over 210,000 migrant encounters in the Tucson sector in fiscal year 2023, according to Customs and Border Protection data.

“There’s no reason a 9year-old should be out on that terrain, let alone, you know, anybody who’s not fully prepared for that type of hike,” Jobe Dickinson, president of the Border Security Alliance, told The Center Square.

“The current system that we have is just, it’s broken, and we need to fix it. This is one more reason,” Mr. Dickinson added.

Although this minor was accompanied, there are concerns being raised by lawmakers about the safety of children crossing the border as it relates to their health as well as human trafficking.

“We are deeply concerned that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reportedly received warnings that unaccompanied children were being released from HHS custody into situations that presented a risk of labor exploitation and trafficking,” Democrat Sens. Dick Durbin and Alex Padilla wrote in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera on June 29.

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FOURTH

Jazz Band. On a similar note, the Best Singing Group was Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

There were many more winners, and a full list will appear in Thursday’s News-Press.

For now, let’s head south to Montecito.

The Montecito Fire Department kicked off the Fourth of July with its annual pancake breakfast at Fire Station 91. Pass the syrup!

Later that morning, more than 30 public safety vehicles, cars and trolleys traveled down Montecito streets for the annual Village Fourth Road Show — the community’s patriotic parade.

The parade’s entries represented everyone from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office to Cold Spring School and the U.S. Forest Service.

Elected officials riding in the parade varied from Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch to Assemblymember Gregg Hart, D-Santa Barbara, and Das Williams, chair of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.

In Lompoc, participants, including kids, put the pedal to the metal for a patriotic bike parade from the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building to Ryon Park, where there was live music by The Fossils.

Wherever people went Tuesday, crowds were large. That definitely was the case at the Sunken Garden at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, where the Prime Time Band played patriotic music before a large audience.

The Santa Barbara event was hosted by the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation.

Besides the music, the program featured the Vandenberg Space Force Base Honor Guard and, no kidding, Polynesian dancers from

Hula Anyone.

Elsewhere, the Goleta Valley Historical Society celebrated its “Old Fashioned Fourth of July” at Rancho La Patera and Stow House in Goleta. Stray Herd and Donna Greene & The Roadside

Daddies played, and the festivities varied from tractor rides to face painting. The Santa Barbara Model A Ford Club was there too. email: dmason@newspress.com

Continued from Page A1

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Baja Sharkeez gets into the Fourth of July spirit on State Street in Santa Barbara.

A trombone player and the rest of the Brasscals play jazz before an appreciative audience on Fourth of July on Stearns Wharf.

Fans of Brasscals dance Tuesday on Stearns Wharf.

Final administrative citations to be issued this week

number of State Street parklet owners who have applied for a permanent business license, their compliance with ADA and other requirements and the removal of those found to be in noncompliance?

The News-Press reached out to Downtown Plaza and Parking officials for answers. They responded on June 27, just prior to the council meeting when the State Street closure/parklet vote took place

BUSINESS LICENSES

Currently there are 82 parklets up and running throughout Santa Barbara, 38 of which are on the State Street Promenade.

As of June 27, the day of the

council vote, 37 of the 38 State Street parklet owners now operating on the Promenade had applied for a license to operate in the public right-of-way, according to Meghan Salas, the parking programs supervisor.

“One existing facility has not applied, and one new facility is proposed and in the application process. The existing facility could still complete the application process and receive a license before the administrative citation deadline.”

The deadline for applying was May 1, and city staff spent two weeks conducting inspections to make sure they met ADA, stormwater and design requirements.

“Twenty-eight have passed inspections and have either been issued a license or are just pending final signatures,” Ms. Salas said.

None of the remaining applications have been rejected, she added.

“We are still in that process for businesses that are missing required items for the application package or need to revise their facilities for compliance with requirements,” she said.

“On June 5, we issued a Notice of Violation to all businesses without an Outdoor Business Facility License. On June 13, we issued Administrative Citations for all who had still not completed the process. We will be issuing final Administrative Citations early next week.” That’s this week, the week of July 3.

“Those that are currently in the enforcement process for not yet completing a license agreement may still provide the required documents as long as they do so before the end of the enforcement process,” Ms. Salas said. “They

will owe fines for the issued administrative citations.

“We are still actively working with all remaining applicants to help them get a license agreement in place. Seven businesses are still in process, one existing facility has not yet submitted an application, and one proposed facility is still pending.”

Parklet owners who do not complete their applications or have not revised their facilities to comply with ADA and other requirements by the deadline contained in their final administrative citation will be issued removal notices, Ms. Salas said.

PARKLET COMPLIANCE AND REMOVAL

To date, six parklets have received final notices of removal. “These businesses have lost

Detectives still working to identify murder suspect

HOMICIDE

Continued from Page A1

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office mentioned the fraud case in a June 5 news release asking the public for help in identifying a suspect or suspects in the murder of Violet Evelyn Alberts, a longtime Montecito resident.

“Prior to her murder, Alberts was the victim of fraud, which was being investigated by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “The suspect involved in the fraud has been in custody since Aug. 9, 2022. However, detectives are still attempting to identify the suspect responsible for the murder.”

Raquel Zick, the Sheriff’s Office public information officer, told the News-Press last week that her office is not prepared at this time to release any new information on the case.

“Detectives responded that the investigation is ongoing, but there are no updates at this time,” she said.

Ms. Alberts was found dead in her home in the 900 block of Park Lane on May 27, 2022.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the residence at about 8:30 a.m. with fire department personnel and medics for a report of an unresponsive person. When deputies arrived, they found a woman, Ms. Alberts, deceased under suspicious circumstances.

Sheriff’s detectives and forensic technicians responded to the residence to assist with the investigation.

On June 1, 2022, the Coroner’s Bureau conducted an autopsy and made a preliminary determination that her death did not appear natural. The Coroner’s Bureau later confirmed her death to be a homicide. The cause of death: Asphyxia due to covering of the nose and mouth.

“Through their diligent investigation, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s detectives have identified the motive and do not believe this crime was random,” sheriff’s officials said in their initial update on June 5.

Detectives said they had developed information regarding a suspect vehicle seen entering and leaving the property during the time of the murder. “The Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the public to identify the owner

or occupant of the midsize SUV.” Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Detectives then followed up on the leads generated by the photos and the request for information.

On June 15, they continued their public outreach by sharing additional images, with a focused request for information from Los Angeles-area residents.

“Today, detectives are sharing new photos, extracted from a closed-circuit video camera along with a second request that members of the public reach out with any information they may have about the suspects associated with the pictured 2015-2018 white Porsche Cayenne,” they said.

“Detectives are specifically asking for assistance from Los Angeles-area residents as they have discovered that the white Porsche traveled from Los Angeles to Montecito on the evening of the murder. Residents in the Los Angeles area that may have loaned or rented their 2015-2018 white Porsche Cayenne in May 2022 are encouraged to reach out to detectives. Detectives are also encouraging Montecito residents to continue to check for any surveillance footage from May 2022 for this vehicle.”

The Sheriff’s Office is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her murder.

“If you know the subject associated with this vehicle, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau at 805-6814150. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact the Sheriff’s Office anonymous tipline at 805-681-4171 or email tips@sbsheriff. org.”

In the meantime, prosecutors are focusing their attention on the real estate fraud case.

They allege that between Sept. 28, 2020 and Oct. 15, 2020, Ms. Macareno engaged in a multifaceted conspiracy against Ms. Alberts with the goal of taking her Montecito home.

The following are the “overt acts” they cite in the Information filed against the defendant:

• On or about Sept. 28, 2020, Ms. Macareno obtained an appraisal of the real property located in the 900 block of Park Lane. That property is the victim’s address.

• On or about Oct. 2, 2020, the defendant drove to the same Park Lane property with a promissory note, deed of trust and option to

purchase agreement.

• On or about Oct. 2, 2020, Ms. Macareno presented the promissory note, deed of trust, and option to purchase agreement to Ms. Alberts while at that Park Lane property.

• On or about Oct. 9, 2020, the defendant caused a deed of trust to be recorded at the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

• On or about Oct. 15, 2020, Ms. Macareno caused $217,000 to be sent from Marchland Inc. to Ms. Alberts, recorded at the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

In the Information, Ms. Macareno is charged with committing identity theft on Sept. 22, 2020, Feb. 24, 2022, March 8, 2022 and March 22, 2022; and procuring four false instruments for record, the first a statement of information filed with the secretary of state on Feb. 24, 2022; the others a preliminary change of ownership report, transfer tax affidavit and grant deed, all filed with the Santa Barbara County clerk-recorder on March 8, 2022.

She also is charged with forging the counterfeit grant deed “with the intent to defraud” in an attempt to pass it off as true and genuine while knowing it to be false, and with theft from an elder or dependent adult, both on March 8, 2022.

The defendant is charged with first-degree residential burglary on Oct. 2, 2020 and Oct. 27, 2020, both times while Ms. Alberts was there.

In addition, she is charged with loan sharking between Sept. 28, 2020 and Oct. 2, 2020 for willfully and unlawfully making or negotiating a loan for herself or another person.

And between Sept. 28 and Oct. 15, 2020, the defendant is charged with:

• Loan sharking in that she “did willfully and unlawfully make or negotiate for herself or another a loan, or contracted or received interest or a charge in excess of that allowed by law.”

• Acting as a finance lender or broker without a license from the Commissioner of Business Oversight authorizing her to do so.

• Conspiracy to commit the crimes of loan sharking and acting as a finance lender or broker without a license.

• Engaging in fraudulent or dishonest dealings in connection with a loan.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

their parklet privileges because they failed to comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations that require facilities to be accessible to people with disabilities, despite being given multiple opportunities over a period of several months to correct deficiencies,” Sarah Clark, downtown plaza and parking manager, said at the time.

Five of the six parklets were owned by five Santa Barbara restaurants: Taza Mediterranean Street Kitchen, 413 State St.; Ca’Dario Restaurant, 37 E. Victoria St.; Courthouse Tavern, 129 E. Anapamu St.; Trattoria Vittoria, 30 E. Victoria St.; and Foxtail Kitchen and Bar, 14 E. Cota St. The sixth restaurant was Folded Hills Winery, 1294 Coast Village Road, Montecito.

These parklet owners appealed to the Santa Barbara City Council to grant them more time, but the council turned them down.

So did they comply and take down their parklets?

“Yes, all have been removed,” Ms. Salas said.

At one time, staff said there were eight parklets, not six, that had received notices of removal.

So what’s the status of the other two?

“One called us back shortly (within one hour) after we posted the notice saying that they did have a (ADA-compliant) table but were not fully set up when we had come by,” she said. “I immediately (within 15 minutes) returned to the business and confirmed that they did, in fact, have a compliant table and reminded them that future noncompliance with ADA would lead to an immediate

removal notice. The other business removed their facility without appealing.” Staff also said a while back that there were five more parklets that were not in compliance but still not yet far enough along in the inspection process to warrant removal. Instead they received administrative citations and fines.

So what’s their status?

“The noncompliant facilities on the State Street Promenade have either been brought into compliance and received a license or must come into compliance to receive a license by the deadline of the final administrative citations which will be issued next week (meaning this week).”

Only the parklets on the State Street Promenade (1300-400 blocks) are required to meet the design and stormwater requirements and have an Outdoor Business Facility License. All parklets citywide must comply with ADA requirements. Fifteen parklets on side streets to State Street are not included in the State Street Promenade designation.

Focusing on just ADA requirements, four parklets throughout the city are currently out of compliance, or compliance has not yet been confirmed, Ms. Salas said.

“We will be reinspecting in early July and moving on to an administrative citation for those still not in compliance,” she said. “All four are not on the State Street Promenade.” email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com

DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS

The Cruisery adds the Fourth of July touch Tuesday to its parklet on State Street. The city of Santa Barbara is continuing to allow parklets in the 400 through 1300 blocks.

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

Life theArts

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2022

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2023

‘Hijack’ is a good flight into mystery

Editor’s note: There are some minor plot spoilers in this review.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Air traffic controllers can make good detectives, especially in a story with the clues falling from the sky. If you like mysteries, see “Hijack.”

But if you’re looking for intense, on-the-edge-of-your seat danger, you’re on the wrong flight.

Fortunately, “Hijack” stars Idris Elba, one of today’s best actors on the big or small screen.

Mr. Elba, who effortlessly expresses emotions with the most subtle of inflections and facial expressions, stars in the series, now streaming on Apple TV+.

The first two episodes streamed on June 28, and the third one streamed on Tuesday.

Mr. Elba plays Sam Nelson, a corporate negotiator who boards a commercial jet from Dubai to London. Soon several hijackers with an unknown agenda take control of Kingdom Airlines Flight 29.

It’s a seven-hour flight from Dubai to London, and the seven episodes take place in real time.

That approach, which worked like magic on the Fox series “24,” is effective here, but again, a sevenhour flight inherently features more drama if it’s packed into

TUne In

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

Throughout today: The city of Santa Barbara will partner with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper to host cleanups at nearby beaches to prevent litter from the Fourth of July celebration from getting into the Pacific.

To volunteer for the cleanup, go to signupgenius.com/go/10c0944aeab2fa5ffc07-

to

Exhibition

daily: The Sistine Chapel

Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $18 for children, and $22 for seniors, military and students. Each ticket also includes admission to the mission museum. To purchase, go to santabarbaramission.org/ sistine-chapel-omsb or stop at the museum’s gift shop.

Father Joe Schwab is hosting personal tours that delve into the theological and philosophical perspectives of Michelangelo’s art. Groups of 10 or more can contact Donna Reeves for a private tour at development@ sboldmission.org.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, has reopened its recurring summer exhibit, “Butterflies Alive!” Featuring a

variety of butterflies, this experience allows guests to walk through a garden while nearly 1,000 butterflies flutter freely around them. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 4, is included in museum admission. Members are always admitted free. For others, prices vary from $14 to $19. For more information, visit sbnature.org/ butterfliesalive.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The James Castle exhibit is on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, see sbma.net.

— Dave Mason

But don’t expect the seven-hour series to have the same excitement as a two-hour movie

First Officer Anna Kovacs (Kaisa Hammarlund) tries to deal with the hijacking of Kingdom Airlines Flight 29 on “Hijack.”

Stuart Atterton (Neil Maskell) is the leader of the hijackers.

Alice Sinclair (Eve Myles) is a London air traffic controller who figures out something isn’t right with Kingdom AIrlines Flight 29.

Corporate negotiator Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) finds himself on a hijacked flight between Dubai and London.

New episodes of “Hijack” stream by the middle of each week on Apple TV+.

Please see ‘HIJACK’ on B4

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ opens as No. 1 film

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Harrison Ford’s final appearance as Indiana Jones topped the box office on its opening weekend.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” raked in $60.4 million.

“Elemental” — Disney-Pixar’s movie about a romance between a woman made of fire (Ember) and a man composed of water (Wade) — remained in second place during its third weekend. The animated movie grossed $12.1 million.

Author of ‘The Light After Death’ to give talk

SANTA BARBARA — Vincent Tolman, author of “The Light After Death: My Journey To

Another animated film, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” was just behind “Elemental,” dropping to third place from first with $12 million.

“No Hard Feelings” stayed in fourth place with $7.9 million. The R-rated comedy stars Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman.

“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” remained in fifth place with $7.4 million.

“Ruby Gillman, TeenageKraken” opened in sixth place. The animated film grossed $5.5 million.

Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little

Heaven and Back,” will address a near-death experience group July 12 at the Central Library.

The International Association for Near-Death Studies talk is set for 7 p.m. at the library’s Faulkner Gallery, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The program is free.

Mermaid,” stayed in seventh place. It grossed $5.4 million.

“The Flash” slowed to a crawl. The film starring Ezra Miller as the heroic speedster fell to eighth place from third, grossing $5.2 million.

Like a meteorite falling to Earth, “Asteroid City” took a dive to ninth place from sixth with $4.3 million.

And a movie set far from Earth —

“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3” — likewise fell — to 10th place from eighth with $2 million. email: dmason@newspress.com

Mr. Tolman said he was found dead at age 25 in the bathroom of a small restaurant and that he remained dead for over a halfhour. He was later revived out of a body bag and woke up three days later from a coma.

The author is an Arlington, Texas, native who grew up in

PETS OF THE WEEK

California and Utah. Those who can’t attend the July 12 talk in person can watch it at some point within 48 hours of the talk and beyond that point at soundcloud.com/iands-santabarbara.

— Dave Mason

Baby, above, and Sweetie

Baby and Sweetie

Baby and Sweetie would love to play with you in your home.

The energetic kittens are sisters awaiting adoption through

Volunteers For Inter Valley Animalsin Lompoc. Sweetie has a short-haired. light gray tabby coat. The sweet cat has a cream belly. Baby and Sweetie, who are 3

months old, don’t have to stay together, VIVA noted it would be great if that were possible.

To meet Baby, Sweetie or the other cats at VIVA, call the nonprofit at 805-735-6741. Or you

with Animal Services-Lompoc.

• K-9 Placement & Assistance League, k9pals.org. K-9 PALS works regularly with Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, sbcanimalcare.org. (The foundation works regularly with the Santa Maria Animal Center.)

• Santa Barbara County Animal Services in

can fill out an application at www. vivashelter.org. In either case, VIVA can set up a private meetand-greet.

— Dave Mason

Goleta: countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home.sbc.

• Santa Barbara Humane (with campuses in Goleta and Santa Maria), sbhumane.org.

• Santa Maria Animal Center, countyofsb. org/phd/animal/home.sbc. The center is part of Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG in Buellton, syvhumane.org.

• Shadow’s Fund (a pet sanctuary in Lompoc), shadowsfund.org.

• Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals in Lompoc: vivashelter.org.

— Dave Mason

Starring Harrison Ford, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” grossed $60.3 million at the box office during its first weekend.

PHOTOS COURTESY VIVA

Diversions

Thought for Today

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

— William James

HOROSCOPE

By Horoscope.com

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Aries: Open up and reveal more of your sensitive side, Aries. The more willing you are to share with others, the more they will feel comfortable sharing things with you. Your head and heart are in agreement, so use this to your advantage. Ground your mind and use it to take a rational approach to your feelings.

Taurus: Things should go well for you today as long as you can keep the drama to a minimum. You can jump over any hurdle in your way, so don’t worry about a thing. You have a sharp, intuitive wit about you that’s grounded in the real world. Take care of the details and plan your next big move.

Gemini: You may have to bring yourself down to ground level in a rather sobering fashion, Gemini. Maybe you’re forgetting an important piece of a goal that you’ve been shooting for. This is a good day to review your progress and deal with any details that require attention. Keep your adventurous spirit alive, but have at least one foot on solid ground.

Cancer: Don’t say anything about someone behind his or her back that you wouldn’t want to say if the person were standing right next to you, Leo. Feelings are easily hurt on a day like this. People will instinctively know that you’ve been saying negative things about them. Come clean with any confessions that you might need to make toward someone you love.

Leo: Don’t say anything about someone behind his or her back that you wouldn’t want to say if the person were standing right next to you, Leo. Feelings are easily hurt on a day like this. People will instinctively know that you’ve been saying negative things about them. Come clean with any confessions that you might need to make toward someone you love.

Virgo: When it comes to decisions, Virgo, do what’s best for you today. Don’t feel like you need to perform certain tasks just because of guilt over a past

situation. Do things because you want to, not because you feel obligated to someone else. The only obligation you have is to you.

Libra: It’s time to settle down from the rapid-fire activities of the past few days and retreat to a quieter state of mind, Libra. Take care of the details you failed to attend to while you were out having fun. Now is the time to turn inward and reflect.

Scorpio: This is an excellent day in which your thinking is clear and your emotions stable, Scorpio. Use this powerful combination of a solid frame of mind and compassionate feelings to express yourself in a sincere, positive fashion.

Sagittarius: Turn your energy inward today, Sagittarius. Make a detailed list of what you need to get done in order of priority. It’s time to take inventory and get organized. Detail-oriented projects are favored, and you have much more patience and concentration than usual. Slow down the pace and remember to smell the roses as you pass by.

Capricorn: Your head and heart are working in concert today, Capricorn. Things are coming together just as you expected them to. Have confidence in yourself. More than likely, you have the perfect solution to every situation. Maybe your incredible perception of the circumstances will catch someone off guard.

Aquarius: Get in touch with your vulnerable side today, Aquarius. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Realize that you can be yourself and still have a good time without needing to hog all the attention. Stabilize your mind and create space to grow. Take some of the advice that you give to others and apply it to yourself.

Pisces: This is your day, Pisces, so don’t let anyone take it away from you. The key will be to get a head start on whatever goals you wish to accomplish. Don’t waste time thinking about exactly how you’re going to accomplish them. Just get started.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Cy the Cynic still struggles with his weight.

“My doctor said to avoid those intimate dinners for three,” Cy told me, “unless two other people were with me, so I asked Unlucky Louie and Wendy to go last night. I thought the talk would help me eat in moderation, but I hardly got in a word.”

Cy displayed today’s deal.

“I was at six diamonds,” the Cynic said. “I drew trumps, led a spade to the ace and let the queen of clubs ride. West won and led the king of spades. I ruffed and took the A-J of clubs. When West discarded, I ruffed my fourth club in dummy but had a heart to lose.”

BAD LUCK

“Wendy wouldn’t stop insisting that my play was hopeless. Meanwhile, Louie was complaining about his luck. I wound up eating my food and some of theirs.”

Cy took the wrong club finesse. After he draws trumps, his best play is to lead a club toward dummy’s queen. West must win, and Cy later discards two hearts from dummy on the clubs. If East has the king, Cy succeeds if clubs break 3-3.

SUDOKU

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-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Saturday’s Life section.

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

is vulnerable. The dealer, at your left, opens three diamonds. Your partner overcalls three hearts. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner may have stretched a bit to act, and bad breaks are possible. Still, you seem to have three useful honors, and his hand is surely short in diamonds. Bid four hearts and wish your partner well.

dealer

Drama takes place both on the plane and on the ground

Neela Leesha (Antonia Salib) is a Dubai air traffic controller.

‘HIJACK’

Continued from Page B1

the standard, two-hour theatrical movie.

So far on the series, Mr. Elba, known for his action roles, has to remain in his seat on the airplane as the hijackers bark orders. From that position, his character, Sam, keeps other passengers calm and tries to prevent them from provoking the terrorists into killing them. Fortunately, Mr.

Elba, who’s also one of the show’s executive producers, knows how to make a character compelling even if he’s sitting still, although there’s some drama whenever Sam stands up.

The hijackers are led by Stuart Atterton, played with the right mix of anger and restraint by Neil Maskell.

There are some interesting plot points on the plane, but the better story, at least so far, is on the ground. Alice Sinclair (played by the talented Eve Myles) is a flight

Survey: Patriotism waning among younger generations

By CHRISTEN SMITH THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – A new poll found that less than two-thirds of young adults in Pennsylvania feel national pride.

The results from a recent survey – conducted by the Bull Finch Group and paid for by the Commonwealth Foundation – show 60% of residents between the ages of 18 and 29 consider themselves “proud to be American.”

By comparison, 76% respondents in the next age category, 30-years-old to 44years-old, say they are patriotic.

The survey questioned roughly 800 registered voters between June 16 and June 19. The partisan split of respondents was 39% Democrats, 38% Republicans, and 23% Independent, with a 3.46% margin of error.

Overall, 79% felt proud to be American.

State pride fared even worse, however. Roughly 60% of residents under 45 feel “proud to be Pennsylvanian.” Just over half of those under 30 responded positively to the question, compared to 62% of those over 30.

More grim still are results that indicate younger residents lack hope for the future.

Roughly 41% of residents under age 45 believe the country’s best days are in the past. The sentiment is higher among the 18-29 cohort, with nearly half in agreement, compared to just 29% who see the future more positively. Among those ages 30-44, 37% feel America’s best days are behind them, compared to 42% who disagreed. The remaining respondents in the age groups said they were “unsure.”

The results come in tandem with a growing temptation among younger generations to leave the state entirely because of high taxes and cost of living.

Among the 338 respondents that considered moving, the top two reasons why were high taxes and cost of living. Other considerations – in order of popularity – included lower crime; more job opportunities; elected leaders more aligned with personal values; less intrusive government; better public schools; more secure elections; better health care; and more school choice.

controller at London Heathrow Airport, and she figures out something is wrong with Kingdom Airlines Flight 29.

Also intriguing are Detective Chief Inspector Zahra Gahfoor (Archie Panjabi), who takes an active role in the investigation. And there’s a side story about Marsha Smith-Nelson (Christine Adams), Sam’s estranged wife and her boyfriend, Detective Inspector Daniel Farrell, a member of the Metropolitan Police.

By TIMOTHY SCHUMANN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – While the rest of the nation will see a reprieve from higher gas prices this holiday week, Washington state is leading the nation in gas prices for the third week in a row.

Two weeks ago Washington surpassed California as the most expensive fuel market in the nation, and that trend held this week as prices edged even closer to the $5.00 per gallon mark.

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded was sitting at $4.98 statewide on Monday, up from $4.97 the week prior according to AAA data. This price hike marks the 22nd week this year of rising fuel prices for Washingtonians, following the implementation of the new carbon tax earlier this year.

This 1-cent per gallon increase moved opposite the national average which fell from $3.57 to $3.53 per gallon, a 4-cent decrease over the same time period.

“Gas prices are $1.30 per gallon less this year than last, but they are still high compared to historical averages,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement. “The previous record average high price for gas on July Fourth was $4.10 in 2008, while the low was $1.39 in 2001. Yet despite currently elevated prices, drivers are not cutting back on travel this summer.”

While that trend may hold true for the rest of the nation, in Washington the inverse is true with fuel prices up $1.14 in the last six months alone.

Washington’s $4.98 per gallon places it $1.40 per gallon higher than the national average of $3.53 per gallon. It is also $2.03 per gallon above the nation’s least expensive fuel costs of $2.95 per gallon, currently paid by Mississippi residents.

In Washington intra-state variance remains high at $1.22 per gallon, up 16 cents per gallon from the week prior. The outliers this

Telling a story in real time is a challenge, and the producers try to pad the adventure a bit with yet another side story, this one involving Dubai air traffic controllers Abduallah (Mohammad Faial Mostafa) and Neela Leesha (Antonia Salib). At some point, the relevance to the main story will be shown, but for now, the best part of “Hijack” takes place in air traffic control rooms.

email: dmason@newspress.com

week, again San Juan and Asotin counties, represent the most and least expensive gas prices statewide at $5.56 and $4.34 per gallon, respectively.

This price variance still largely follows the Cascade Range, with residents to the west paying a higher premium at the pump than residents to the east.

Some state policy experts think there’s a legislative component to the relatively high cost of Washingtonians fuel, as previously reported by The Center Square, citing the state’s new capand-trade carbon tax program implemented Jan 1st of this year.

One of those experts thinks that the legislative component may be as high as 45 cents per gallon.

“Although Washington is paying more for CO2 emissions than California, that additional cost doesn’t help the environment – it just harms our economy,” said Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center in a recent report. “As long as the governor and agency staff continue to deny that reality, Washington residents will pay a high price for energy, but won’t receive the environmental benefits they are paying for.”

Sen. Mark Mullet, a Democrat, agrees prices are too high and recently introduced state legislation to cap the price of these auctions.

“Putting a price on carbon pollution is an important part of responding to our climate crisis, but the prices for carbon permits at our auctions have been way too high,” said Sen. Mullet in a statement accompanying the announcement of the legislation.

“The whole idea all along has been that our price for a permit for a ton of carbon should line up with California’s – instead we’re nearly double California’s price,” Sen. Mullet continued. “I think the Department of Ecology is sort of dropping the ball here, and it’s the people of Washington who are having to pay for it.”

The third carbon auction is set to take place on August 30th of this year.

Gas prices drop in Georgia, remain below the national average

By T.A. DEFEO THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — As Georgians hit the road for Independence Day travel, they’ll at least have some relief at the pumps, if not on the thermometer. In Georgia, the average price per gallon of regular unleaded gas on Monday was $3.20, according to AAA. That is down 9 cents from last month and down $1.13 from last year. The Peach State’s average gas price remains below the national average of $3.53 for a gallon of regular unleaded. “Georgia pump prices have fallen about 9 cents per gallon throughout the past two weeks,” Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group

spokeswoman, said in an announcement. “Low oil prices have enabled gas prices to remain well below year-ago levels. However, strong demand has created some volatility throughout the past month. Even if gas prices rise again soon, Fourth of July road trippers will pay much less at the pump compared to last year.”

On average, Georgia motorists pay $48 to fill a 15-gallon tank with regular gas, and drivers are paying roughly $17 less to fill up than a year ago, AAA said.

According to the association, Savannah ($3.34), Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($3.29) and AugustaAiken ($3.22) are the metro markets with the most expensive gas prices, while Warner Robins ($3.10), Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($3.09) and Rome ($3.08) have the cheapest gas.

Washington gas prices, most expensive in the nation, up 30% since January