Santa Barbara News-Press: October 19, 2022

rewarded for wildfire mitigations

‘A lady in every sense’

COURTESY PHOTO Gov. Gavin Newsom

Pandemic state of emergency to end

Newsom says it’ll be over in California on Feb. 28

By MADISON HIRNEISEN THE CENTER SQUARE STAFF REPORTER

(The Center Square) — California’s COVID-19 state of emergency will end Feb. 28. 2023, nearly three years after it was declared, Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced.

The governor’s decision to lift the state of emergency in February means California will phase out the final 27 of nearly 600 directives enacted during the pandemic that still remain in effect.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve been guided by the science and data — moving quickly and strategically to save lives. The State of Emergency was an effective and necessary tool that we utilized to protect our state, and we wouldn’t have gotten to this point without it,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement on Monday. “With the operational preparedness that we’ve built up and the measures that we’ll continue to employ moving forward, California is ready to phase out this tool.”

The announcement comes as California has seen a decrease in COVID-19 cases and deaths.

According to the latest data, California is averaging 7.5 new cases and 0.05 deaths per 100,000 residents.

Gov. Newsom’s office said Monday that waiting until February to lift the state of emergency will give the health care system “flexibility” to handle a potential post-holiday surge in January and February while also providing time for state and local officials to prepare for the phaseout.

The governor initially declared the pandemic state of emergency on March 4, 2020. Gov. Newsom and other state health officials have said maintaining the state of emergency was critical to ensure California could

Creepy creatures at museum

Families

with

celebrate

Paul Flores found guilty of murder

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Paul Flores has been found guilty of murdering Kristin Smart, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student who disappeared in May 1996.

The jury announced its verdict in the first-degree murder case Tuesday in the Monterey County Superior Court in Salinas.

A separate jury found Mr. Flores’ father, Ruben Flores, not guilty of accessory after the fact. There was an allegation that he helped to hide the body of Ms. Smart in Arroyo Grande.

Paul Flores, who is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 9, faces 25 years to life behind bars.

After the jury announced its verdicts, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley commented on the case.

“I have often said justice delayed is justice denied,” Ms. Dudley told the News-Press Tuesday. “But in this case, even though justice was delayed for so long, it has finally brought the Smart family some sense of justice.

“This would not have been possible without the continued hard work and detailed work on the part of the San Luis Obispo law enforcement officers and members of District Attorney

Dan Dow’s office,” she said.

“Clearly today justice was served,” Ms. Dudley said.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told the News-Press, “I am so proud to see the murderer of Kristin Smart brought to justice due to the superb investigative and prosecutorial skills of the members of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices.

“Because of their tenacity and indefatigable work, a highprofile cold case has been

Six State Street parklets not ADA-compliant

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

certain she felt welcome.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Friends remember Corinna Gordon for her ladylike elegance, her impeccable sense of fashion, her spirit of generosity, her kind heart.

As well as her wicked sense of humor.

There’s no doubt that people will continue to smile as they talk about her.

The popular Montecito interior designer and jewely artist— who was born in England and near Scotland and was friends with late Montecito celebrities Kirk and Anne Douglas — leaves a legacy of fond memories. Surrounded by her family at her home, she died Sunday after a long struggle with breast cancer.

“She was such an extraordinary person,” friend Tammy Hughes told the News-Press Tuesday.

Ms. Hughes, who lives in Montecito, elaborated further.

“She was such an extraordinary party girl, but she was also a really deep person who wanted to understand how people worked,” Ms. Hughes said. “She was really

amazing.

“And she had an absolutely filthy dirty joke train of emails that she would send around,” Ms. Hughes continued. “All of us would clamor to open them. It was always good for a laugh.

“She had the most wicked sense of humor,” Ms. Hughes said. “You know how the Brits can make an absolutely filthy joke sound elevated? That’s what she did. When it’s told in a British accent, it doesn’t sound quite as filthy.”

Another Montecito friend, Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith, said Mrs. Gordon was hilarious.

“She was probably one of the funniest people anyone of us really knew. She had this wicked sense of humor,” Ms. WestonSmith told the News-Press Tuesday.

“Every single morning, you would wake up to a joke from Corinna,” she said.

Ms. Weston-Smith, who’s also from Britain, attended the same boarding school as Mrs. Gordon in England. Mrs. Gordon moved to Montecito in the 1980s, and when Ms. Weston-Smith later relocated there in 1989, Mrs. Gordon made

“The first thing she did was to have a party to introduce me,” Ms. Weston-Smith said. “She was somebody so gracious that she wanted to include you and make sure you were part of whatever community she had, to introduce you, to make you feel welcome and loved.

“She was a very special person,” Ms. Weston-Smith said. “She always cared about other people first.”

Ms. Hughes noted Mrs. Gordon found ways to help local nonprofits varying from the Breast Cancer Resource Center to Lotusland, the Dream Foundation and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Ms. Hughes said Mrs. Gordon didn’t have as much money as major philanthropists. “But she was an artist. She was a jewelry maker. She would often donate these extraordinary jewelry pieces to her favorite fundraisers.

“She was 100% inspiration to other women,” Ms. Hughes said.

Ms. Weston-Smith said Mrs. Gordon was “incredibly talented”

Six out of 44 outdoor dining parklets in the downtown promenade on lower State Street remain out of compliance with ADA requirements to provide accessibility to people with disabilities — a fact that surprised and dismayed the Santa Barbara City Council Tuesday.

In its filed report to the council, staff noted that 11 of the 44 parklets remained out of compliance, but Interim ADA Coordinator Ashleigh Shue told councilmembers Tuesday that that number had dropped to six as of Monday.

But the lower figure didn’t appease some council members.

“I’m shocked there are still six that remain noncompliant,” Councilmember Kristen Sneddon said.

Mayor Randy Rowe agreed. “I share the dismay of my colleagues that we still have six out of compliance.”

Staff was quick to reassure the council that steps are being taken to take care of the errant parklets — even if the restaurateurs who own them

don’t.

Sarah Clark, the city’s parking and plaza manager, said a certified ADA specialist was inspecting the six parklets at that very moment.

Of those six, four have received two administrative citations, she said, noting “If they don’t pass the inspection, they will be required to remove the parklet from State Street.”

One of the remaining noncompliant parklets is owned by a restaurant that opens late, so the city has had a hard time inspecting it, but they have talked to the owner and are arranging for an inspection, she said.

The other one is a newer business with one administrative citation. If it fails a second inspection, it will receive a second citation, and if required changes aren’t made, it, too, will have to be removed, she said.

In response to a question by Councilmember Eric Friedman, Ms. Clark said the city will soon begin inspecting parklets outside the promenade area, including Coast Village Road. The Montecito street is within the

His father, Ruben, is acquitted of being accessory in Kristin Smart case

COURTESY PHOTO Paul Flores

Montecito resident Corinna Gordon leaves legacy of caring, kindness and wit

COURTESY PHOTO

Corinna Gordon, right, who was friends with fellow Montecito residents Anne and Kirk Douglas, leaves a legacy of class and humor. The popular interior designer and jewelry artist died Sunday, surrounded by her family.

Please see VERDICTS

Please

News-Press announces its election endorsements

U.S. Senate/Partial Term: Mark Meuser.

U.S. Senate/Full Term: Mark Meuser.

U.S. House Representative, District 24: Dr. Brad Allen.

STATE Governor: Sen. Brian Dahle.

Lieutenant Governor: Angela Underwood Jacobs.

Secretary of State: Rob Bernosky.

Controller: Lanhee Chen.

State Treasurer: Jack Guerrero.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Lance Christensen.

Attorney General: Nathan Hochman.

Insurance Commissioner: Robert Howell.

State Board of Equalization, 2nd District: Peter Coe Verbica.

State Assembly, District 37: Mike Stoker.

SCHOOL BOARDS

Santa Barbara County Board of Education, Trustee Area 1: Rosanne Crawford.

Santa Barbara Community College District, Trustee Area 1: Debi Stoker.

Santa Barbara Community College District, Trustee Area 5: Sharon Salvador-Jegottka.

Santa Barbara Unified School District, Trustee Area 1: Efigenia Banales.

Santa Barbara Unified School District,

ELECTION 2022

Trustee Area 4: Phebe Mansur.

Goleta Union School District, Trustee Area 1: Caroline Abate.

Goleta Union School District, Trustee Area 3: Christy Lozano.

Lompoc Unified School District: To be announced.

SPECIAL DISTRICT

Goleta Water District, District 2: Greg S. Hammel.

CITY COUNCIL RACES

Carpinteria City Council, Trustee Area 3: Patty Boyd (write in).

Lompoc Mayor: Jim Mosby.

Candidate for Buellton mayor wants to increase civic participation

Editor’s note: This is part of a series on local candidates in advance of the Nov. 8 election.

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Eager to bring fresh perspectives from the community, Elysia Lewis is running for mayor of Buellton against fellow city council member David King.

Mayor Holly Sierra will be stepping down at the end of her term.

“I originally ran about four years ago because I started seeing that the same small group of people were making all the decisions and Buellton needed a fresh perspective from a different demographic. I want to keep diversity on the council and increase diversity in Buellton civic leadership,” Ms. Lewis told the News-Press. “I would like to help steer the diversity.

“I want to have a stronger voice in determining and helping diversity on our city’s committees and councils,” she said. “It’s the same small group of people that have been involved. I would like to be a driving force in getting new people to participate. Holly has done an excellent job stewarding the city, and I want to make sure her initiatives and programs aren’t lost when she steps down.”

Ms. Lewis has been part of the Buellton City Council for two years.

“My time on the council has given me the experience to learn about players in Buellton civics and understand the issues affecting the city,” she said. “It’s one thing to hear about the issues. It’s a whole other thing to get into the weeds on these issues. It’s given me a good two-year tutorial on what we need to do, what we can do and what we can’t do. It

Second arrest made in homicide case

has also allowed the community to get to know my stance on issues.”

Ms. Lewis has a bachelor’s in law and society from Purdue University and a master’s in psychology from North Central University. She also possesses a juris doctor degree from Concord Law School.

Additionally, she possesses a certificate in school business

TRAFFIC, CRIME & FIRE BLOTTER

criminal street gang for his role in the shooting death the Mr. Delacruz. The juvenile was already in custody for an unrelated charge and was rebooked into Santa Maria Juvenile Hall on the new charges.

management from USC and is certified by the California Association of School Business Officials.

If elected mayor, Ms. Lewis said her goals “would be to continue to work on building a sense of community and making sure the community feels heard while getting them involved with one another so we can have a stronger, more closely knit community.

“I want to make sure Buellton is a safer place to walk. I want to make sure we have activities geared towards all ages,” she said. “We really need to focus on building community so we can collectively carry Buellton into the future.”

Ms. Lewis said she believes both Mr. King and she are reasonable people. “We are both good choices. We just have different philosophies. A vote for me is a vote for diversity and leaning forward, rather than keeping Buellton as it is.”

“I am a big supporter of arts and culture and a strong program is really important for a viable community,” she said.

“There is a lot of talk that because I’m not retired, I can’t provide the same level of service,” Ms. Lewis added. “Just because I am still working doesn’t mean I would provide a lower level of response. My circumstances are different. Different just means different, not less qualified.”

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

LOMPOC — Police detectives made a second arrest Tuesday related to the shooting death of Maurilio Delacruz.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 19, Mr. Delacruz was shot and killed in the 1100 block of North H Street in Lompoc. On March 30, Lompoc police detectives arrested 18-yearold Jorge Tafoya Jr. on suspicion of murder at a residence in Lompoc.

On Tuesday, Lompoc police detectives made another arrest, this one of a 17-year-old male on suspicion of murder and participation in a

— Katherine Zehnder

Arson convict faces sentence

LOMPOC — A Lompoc man is scheduled to be sentenced today to five years in state prison for setting fire Aug. 2 to a Lompoc mental

Isla Vista district to hold internet registration party

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Isla Vista Community Services District is participating in the statewide effort to promote “Get Connected! California.”

This program is designed to close the equity and access gap through increased registration for affordable internet services.

So the district is hosting a Get Connected + CalFresh Enrollment Party on Saturday.

The event will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Isla Vista Community Center, 976 Embarcadero del Mar, Isla Vista.

A raffle will be held every 30 minutes to win a Chromebook or tablet device, and priority will be given to residents who do not have a device at home, according to the district.

And those attending the party can enroll in free services for groceries and what the district calls reliable internet connection.

Volunteers will walk community members through everything to help make these services as accessible as possible.

Calfresh provides a monthly allowance of $250 for groceries

for households for qualifying community members. The Affordable Connectivity Program can help eligible households reduce their monthly internet bill by up to $30, according to the Isla Vista district.

These households are also eligible for a one-time $100 discount when buying a laptop or tablet from participating providers. If you are eligible for Calfresh, you are also eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The Isla Vista district is holding Saturday’s party in partnership with UCSB Basic Needs, UCSB Tech Equity, Broadband Consortium Pacific Coast, California Emerging Technologies Fund and Cox Communication.

For more information contact Myah Mashhadialireza, Community Spaces Program manager, at 805-770-2752 or communityspaces@islavistacsd. com.

To learn more about ACP and fill out an application, visit internetforallnow.org/applytoday or call 866-745-2805.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Planning panel cancels meeting

The commission normally

health clinic with people still trapped inside. William Morales, 36, who had been charged with arson and attempted murder, reached a plea bargain with prosecutors to plead guilty to arson in exchange for them dropping the other charge, prosecutors said.

Deputy Public Defender Madison Whitmore confirmed Tuesday that Mr. Morales will be sentenced today in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Lompoc to five years at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, or state prison.

His crime is a violent felony, and he will be required to register as an arsonist.

— Neil Hartstein

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Barbara County: $5.08 per week includes sales tax, daily and Sundays. Weekends and holidays only, $3.85 per week includes sales tax. Single-copy price of 75 cents daily and $2 Sunday includes sales tax at vending racks. Tax may be added to copies puchased elsewhere. “The Santa Barbara News-Press” (USPS 0481-560). Circulation refunds for balances under $20, inactive newspapers for elementary school classrooms.

Newspress.com is a local virtual community network providing information about Santa Barbara, in addition to the online edition

BUELLTON — The Buellton Planning Commission has canceled Thursday’s meeting because of a lack of a quorum.

Thursdays of

— Dave Mason

COURTESY PHOTO

Elysia Lewis

California will require insurers to reward consumers for wildfire mitigations

By MADISON HIRNEISEN THE CENTER SQUARE STAFF REPORTER

(The Center Square) — California homeowners and businesses that take steps to protect their properties from wildfires will soon pay lower insurance rates under a new, first-in-the-nation framework introduced by the state’s insurance commissioner.

The new regulation, announced by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, requires insurance companies to offer insurance discounts to residents and business owners who take wildfire mitigation actions under the state’s “Safer from Wildfires” framework. The framework includes a list of actions that homeowners and businesses can take to reduce the risk of fire, such as upgrading windows and installing a “Class A” fire rated roof.

“Protecting Californians from deadly wildfires means everyone doing their part, including insurance companies by rewarding consumers for being safer from wildfires,” Commissioner Lara said in a

statement Monday. “The reality of climate change is driving my determination to help communities better prepare, help our firefighters save lives and help more Californians find insurance they can afford.”

The new rules come in response to ballooning insurance premium costs for California residents living in fire-prone areas.

Insurance costs have skyrocketed in recent years, leaving people between a “hot rock and a hard place in many areas of the state,” Union Policyholders Executive Director Amy Bach told The Center Square.

“Any place that has either burned in the last 10 years or is predicted to burn – people are just getting slammed and it’s very hard to get insurance in these areas,” Ms. Bach said.

She called the new regulation a “smart compromise between what consumers need and what insurers can live with,” adding that the lack of reward from insurance companies has been an “impediment to getting more people to put the time and money into making their home less likely to burn.”

The regulation comes as Californians are living through more intense wildfire seasons.

Thirteen of the top 20 most destructive wildfires in California history have occurred in just the last five years, according to Cal Fire.

Under the new rules, insurance companies are required to submit “new rate fillings incorporating wildfire safety standards” created by the Department of Insurance and establish a process for providing “wildfire risk determinations” to residents and businesses within 180 days, according to a news release from Mr. Lara’s office. The regulation also creates a right for residents and businesses to appeal their property’s “wildfire risk score.”

The department said this is an important part of the new regulation because it will increase transparency into how insurers weigh wildfire risk and give customers a chance to appeal if they think the risk has been misjudged.

Supporters of the regulation stressed that the action will incentivize Californians to harden their homes against wildfires and

increase the likelihood of homes surviving fires.

“Home hardening retrofits, along with defensible space significantly increase a home’s chance of surviving a wildfire,” said Chief Daniel Berlant, Cal Fire deputy director of community wildfire preparedness and mitigation. “Using the latest fire science and recent wildfire data, these retrofits and landscaping requirements provide a strong path to structure survivability.”

Members of the insurance industry responded with support for the regulations, but said there is still more to be done.

Seren Taylor, senior legislative advocate of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, said “mitigation discounts must be based on data that aligns the cost savings with the actual risk reduction.”

“We need to allow insurers to use the most advanced technology to more accurately model California’s evolving climate risk, instead of depending on existing rules that require insurers to only look backward at historical data,” Madison Hirneisen covers California for The Center Square.

California cities projected to end the year below 2019 revenue for hotel business travel

By MADISON HIRNEISEN THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) — A new report finds that hotel business travel revenue is expected to rebound to near pre-pandemic levels, though several California cities are projected to see revenue lagging below 2019 levels.

U.S. hotel business travel revenue for 2022 is projected to come within 1% of 2019 levels, according to a report released Monday from the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Leisure travel hotel revenue for 2022 is projected to come in 14% above 2019 levels, according to the analysis by AHLA and Kalibri Labs.

Despite overall projections

revenue is returning to near prepandemic levels, most California cities included in the report –Los Angeles, San Francisco, Anaheim, Sacramento and San Jose – are expected to finish 2022 with hotel business travel revenue coming in below 2019 levels.

According to the report, San Francisco’s hotel business travel revenue is projected to come in 40% below 2019 levels, while San Jose’s projected revenue is projected to come in 32.7% under pre-pandemic levels. Other California cities, including Los Angeles, Anaheim and Sacramento, also have projected hotel business travel revenue coming in below 2019 levels, while San Bernardino and Sacramento are projected

business travel.

Peter Hillan, spokesperson for the California Hotel and Lodging Association, told The Center Square that reliance on remote work likely had an impact on hotel business travel revenue in San Francisco and San Jose in particular, as well as the two counties being “slower to reduce COVID-19 restrictions” in comparison to other counties within California and other states.

Mr. Hillan also noted that the “slow recovery of international travel” is likely impacting the recovery of both business and leisure travel in several California cities.

“Many countries were much slower than the U.S., particularly in Asia, to allow international

waiting for that to kick up.”

On the tourism side, the report projects San Francisco’s hotel leisure travel revenue for 2022 will come in 18.7% below 2019 levels, splintering from several other cities across the state that are projected to see increases in leisure travel revenue.

According to the report, Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Diego, Sacramento and San Bernardino are projected to end the year eclipsing 2019 figures for hotel leisure travel revenue. Anaheim is projected to finish the year with a 23.5% increase in hotel leisure travel revenue compared to 2019, San Bernardino is expected to see a 24.8% increase, and San Diego is projected to see a nearly 20% increase.

Madison Hirneisen covers California for The Center Square.

Vaccine mandate battles ramp up with federal contractors, Coast Guard

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE SENIOR REPORTER

(The Center Square) — The battle over federal vaccine mandates is ramping up for federal contractors and members of the U.S. Coast Guard.

In September 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order requiring federal contractors to comply with federal COVID-19 guidance. In November 2021, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, which determines the scope of that guidance, announced the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, which included contractors.

That measure was quickly challenged in court by trade groups and several states. In December 2021, a federal district court issued an injunction blocking the new vaccine mandate.

In August of this year, though, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled that the previous court’s injunction should only apply to those states and groups that filed suit.

“The Eleventh Circuit’s decision narrowing the district court’s injunction will take effect when that court issues its mandate, which is scheduled to occur on October 18,” the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force said on its website, referring to the mandate scheduled for today. “In addition, several other Federal district courts have issued injunctions affecting certain states and contractors and subcontractors within those states. Those injunctions remain in effect.”

The task force said it will begin working on how the mandate will be implemented going forward, but said as of now agencies should not begin enforcing the mandate.

“Following the issuance by OMB of the initial notification to agencies, the Task Force intends to update its guidance regarding COVID-19 safety protocols for covered contractor and subcontractor workplace locations,” the task force said.

“The Task Force will include in its updated guidance a timeline for implementation by contractors and subcontractors. The Director of OMB will also review the updated

Task Force guidance and make a determination regarding whether the new guidance promotes economy and efficiency in Federal contracting.”

The Biden administration extended the declaration of the pandemic public health emergency status through Jan. 11, 2023. Those mandates and the declaration have come under further criticism since President Biden said on “60 Minutes” in September that “the pandemic is over.”

“Why did Joe Biden extend his emergency pandemic powers if he said the pandemic is over?” U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, wrote on Twitter.

Federal vaccine mandates have also been a contentious issue in the military where service members have been discharged for refusing vaccination. Those discharges have been met with legal pushback, though.

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday alleging the Coast Guard has been denying religious exemption applications for the vaccine wholesale without a fair evaluation of individual requests.

“Religious freedom is protected by the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Despite these protections, information received by Committee Republicans indicates that the adjudication process for exemption applications was a pro forma exercise designed to reach predetermined conclusions – to deny requests and appeals – in nearly every single case,” the letter said. “The USCG even created a digital tool to assist in more efficiently denying appeals of the vaccine mandate instead of focusing on the merits of each individual case. Regardless of the ultimate decision to approve or deny these requests, the USCG and the other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces must afford members the opportunity to have their religious accommodations claim heard on the merits along with the right to appeal an adverse decision.”

Casey Harper works at The Center Square’s Washington, D.C., bureau.

Gratitude Grows Here. We never stop reaching higher for our

When your loved one is in our care, we’re here to support you and your family.

in art and design.

She did interior design work for Kirk and Anne Douglas’ home in Bel Air.

“She was one of these people who could reinvent herself all the time,” Ms. WestonSmith said.

When her husband Larry Gordon traveled around the world during his photography career, Mrs. Gordon accompanied him and decided to embark on a new career that was more practical for travels than interior design. She became a jewelry designer.

“Not only that, but she did it well,” Ms. Weston-Smith said. “Everything she did, she did well.

‘She had an extraordinary sense of style,” Ms. Weston-Smith said. “You would never see Corinna badly dressed. She was always impeccably dressed and put together.

“She was a great beauty,” Ms. Weston-Smith said.

Ms. Weston Smith said Mrs. Gordon had such a presence that you sense her walking into a room.

“She was very ladylike, very feminine, yet she had this hilarious, naughty sense of humor that was not feminine, not in the least bit,” Ms. Weston-Smith said. “Yet she was a lady in every sense.

“I knew Corinna well, but she had much closer friends than me in the community,” Ms. Weston-Smith said.

Mrs. Gordon’s friends included everyone

VERDICTS

Continued from Page A1

solved, and justice has been served after more than a quarter of a century,” Sheriff Brown said.

“May this successful investigation and prosecution send the strong message to those who have thus far escaped justice in other cold cases that the men and women of law enforcement never give up, and may God bless the memory and the family of Kristen Smart.”

As the verdicts were read, Paul Flores, 45, and his father, Ruben Flores, 81, did not react.

After the verdicts, Ruben Flores told reporters on the courthouse steps that he felt relieved for himself but worried about his son. His attorney, Harold Messick, was with him.

And after the verdict, Ms. Smart’s father, Stan Smart, thanked Chris Lambert, producer of the “In Your Own Backyard” podcast. Investigators said Mr. Lambert brought new attention and information to the case.

Both Paul and Ruben Flores were arrested April 13, 2021, at their separate homes in connection with Ms. Smart’s disappearance more than 26 years ago.

At the time, San Luis Obispo

“She was very close to the Douglasses,”

Ms. Weston-Smith said about Kirk and Anne Douglas. “The Douglasses were like family to her. She was incredible to them, and they were incredible to her.”

Another friend, TV and movie star Jane Seymour, visited Mrs. Gordon’s home in Montecito in May, along with a dozen or so other people, during a celebration of Mrs. Gordon’s life. Ms. Seymour was among those who spoke in honor of Mrs. Gordon.

Ms. Weston-Smith said Mrs. Gordon, as always, looked her best at the celebration. “Despite how ill she was, she looked fantastic.”

Ms. Hughes, who last saw Mrs. Gordon in June before traveling to Florida, said Mrs. Gordon maintained her signature look during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“She was a real English lady who dressed up every morning,” Ms. Hughes said. “You would go over, and her makeup was done, her hair was done.

“More importantly, as a friend, she was one of those people who really cared,” Ms. Hughes said. “She wanted to help people. She wanted to know who you were.

“When I was in my early 20s, we saw each other at a fundraiser,” Ms. Hughes said. “I said,‘Let’s have dinner or have lunch.’ She pulled me aside at an early age with sage wisdom. She said, ‘We’ll never get together for lunch and dinner unless we schedule it. We have to put something on the calendar.’

“She was full of joy and wit and character and sass.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

Santa Barbara city limits.

“That will be our next big effort,” Ms. Clark said, adding that the city has reached out “to all those businesses that inspections are coming in the next few weeks,”

She said the inspection process will be a lot faster this time around because staff has developed a process to streamline the paperwork, issued correction notices in the field and given violators an earlier deadline to resolve the problem.

“We’ll be able to move more quickly to the final inspection phase,” she said. “It speeds up the time to get compliance achieved.”

Discussion of the parklets took place after the council heard an update on the recent activities and achievements of the Access Advisory Committee, as well as its goals and objectives for the future.

One item discussed Tuesday was the need for a full-time ADA coordinator who can deal with complaints and contact the right city department to respond to and deal with complaints and compliance problems.

Ms. Shue, who drew rave reviews for her performance as interim ADA coordinator by council members and the AAC, has been doing the job for 10 months and is expected

to move on next month. She has had to juggle her ADA coordinator role with her other duties as an interim city engineer.

“Over the last 10 months, it has been a lot to handle,” she said.

Other items discussed at Tuesday’s meeting was the completion of the Cabrillo Pavilion renovation, which included installation of an ADA-compliant elevator; the start of the construction phase of the Central Library Plaza renovation; the start of the design phase of remodeling City Hall restrooms and installation of an ADAcompliant elevator, and the painting of blue curbs whenever necessary to ensure access to sidewalks for people with disabilities.

Councilmember Mike Jordan asked about the possibility of painting blue spaces in front of private properties.

Staff said the city definitely has a responsibility to do so when there are problems on public right of ways, but it’s more difficult implementing changes in front of property that is privately owned.

“There are a number of liability concerns having nonsworn officers performing enforcement,” Ms. Shue said.

Residents wanting to file complaints can email ada@ santabarbaraca.gov.

email: nhartstein@newspress. com

County Sheriff Ian Parkinson announced the arrest during a news conference at Cal Poly. When Sheriff Parkinson took over the Sheriff’s Office, a complete review of all the physical evidence was conducted. In late 2016, authorities discovered additional evidence that confirmed Paul was the suspect in the disappearance. Additional information was learned in 2019 following witness interviews, including some information that came to light during Mr. Lambert’s podcast.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson announced the arrest of Paul and Ruben Flores in April 2021. On Tuesday, Paul Flores was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Kristin Smart. His father, Ruben, was acquitted on the charge of accessory after the fact.

Paul Flores was accused of killing Ms. Smart after attempting to rape her in his dorm room at Cal Poly. Both Mr. Flores and Ms. Smart were freshmen at the university.

Ms. Smart was last seen at the intersection of Perimeter Road and Grand Avenue in San Luis Obispo as she walked home from an off-campus party. Paul Flores was seen with her.

Ms. Smart never returned to her dormitory.

Ms. Smart’s body was never

found, but she was declared legally dead in 2002.

Paul and Ruben Flores were tried together, but there were separate juries for each defendant. The trial started July 18 in Salinas after a San Luis Obispo County judge ruled in March that a fair and impartial trial wasn’t possible for them in San Luis Obispo because of the years of publicity over the case, as well as the county’s size.

email: dmason@newspress.com

City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Cuyama 85/55/pc 87/51/pc Goleta 82/58/pc 76/58/pc Lompoc 84/57/pc 76/53/pc

Pismo Beach 82/55/pc 74/53/pc

Santa Maria 86/57/pc 79/53/pc

Santa Ynez 92/56/pc 85/55/pc Vandenberg 78/57/pc 70/53/pc Ventura 82/63/pc 76/60/pc

Los

ROSS, Barbara (McNeil)

Barbara

from

she married the love of her life, Douglas Ross and made her home in Santa Maria, and began her new role

wife and mother to stepson Gary Ross. Some years later their first daughter Amy was born, followed by Meredith 2 years later. She then had to endure the deaths of her stepson and husband, but she did so with grace, courage, and love as she raised her 2 young daughters. Barbara’s career began at Stieger’s Optical as a bookkeeper and then she began her job at Allan Hancock College and retired in 2002. During this time, she was blessed twice with grandchildren Tyler and Paige and became affectionately known as “Babba” to them and their friends. She was blessed again 10 years later with her last grandchild Grant. Her retirement wish, after 22 years of service, was just to be able to spend time with her grandchildren, family and friends and that wish was greatly fulfilled. Barbara touched the hearts of most people that were fortunate enough to cross her path with her gentle kindness and warm smile. The memories made with her family and friends will never be forgotten and always cherished. Barbara was preceded in death by her stepson Gary, then husband Douglas, and her parents Paul Grant McNeil and Frances McNeil, and sister Sheila Collins (McNeil) and brother Michael McNeil. She is survived by daughter Amy Argentieri, daughter Meredith Sodomka and husband Ted, grandchildren Tyler Argentieri, Paige Argentieri, and Grant Sodomka. There will be a short Graveside service on October 21, 2022, at 2:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life at her home. Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.

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 Saturday, Sunday, 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.

find obituary info remember your loved one at

Mammoth

92/68/pc 87/63/pc

69/30/s 69/30/pc

88/55/s 87/53/s

Monterey 79/56/pc 69/51/pc

90/50/pc 85/49/pc

82/55/pc 77/52/pc

Ojai 91/63/pc 86/58/pc

Oxnard 85/61/pc 78/60/pc

Palm Springs 93/72/s 93/70/pc

92/68/pc 88/64/pc

Paso Robles 93/50/pc 91/49/pc Sacramento 90/53/pc 88/51/s

San Diego 89/66/s 79/64/pc

San Francisco 79/56/pc 73/53/pc

San Jose 87/60/pc 83/55/pc

San Luis Obispo 89/58/pc 83/55/pc

Santa Monica 87/65/pc 79/62/pc

Tahoe Valley 72/31/s 71/38/pc

COURTESY PHOTO Ruben Flores

DAVID MIDDLECAMP/SAN LUIS OBISPO TRIBUNE

from Santa Ynez movie star and singer Olivia Newton-John, whom she considered a “true angel on Earth,” to Barbra Streisand.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Corrina Gordon enjoyed her travels around the world.

Corrina Gordon was known for her beauty, charm and grace.

Gaviota Goleta Carpinteria Ventura

Solvang

Ventucopa

New Cuyama

Maricopa

SANTA BARBARA

AT BRADBURY DAM, LAKE CACHUMA

SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL

POINT ARENA TO POINT PINOS

POINT CONCEPTION TO MEXICO

Day of the Dead

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Afree Day of the Dead family day will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. For the 33rd year, the museum honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead with

Free family day honors Mexican tradition

a display of altars created by students in the museum’s school and outreach programs and local community groups, including San Marcos High School, Montecito Union School, Quilt Project Gold Coast, SBMA’s Partnership with A-OK After-School Program (multiple schools), and SBMA’s ArtReach program (multiple schools).

In addition, Madeline Miller,

Santa Barbara youth poet laureate, will create an interactive altar to honor the earth and remember the lives that have been lost due to climate change.

Teens working with museum teaching artists Nicola Ghersen and Jason Summers during SBMA’s Teen Master Class created an interactive altar inspired by depictions of bridges in the museum’s collection.

Día de los Muertos-inspired art activities for all ages will be offered in multiple locations at the museum. On the Front Terrace, participants will create skull charms and mini-altars, and in the Family Resource Center, they can enjoy printmaking.

For more information, visit Katrina Carl at kcarl@sbma.net. email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

From top, skull charms are among the crafts at the museum. A store altar window display was created last year by students in the AO-K program and Girls Inc. San Marcos High School contributed this display at the 2021 Day of the Dead family day. A mini-altar is among the activities.

COURTESY PHOTOS

This Day of the Dead print activity is part of a free family day, set for Sunday at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

Students at the Knox School of Santa Barbara created this altar display at last year’s free family day.

Winifred

Winifred is known as an “absolute love” at Santa Barbara County Animal Services, where she’s awaiting adoption.

The 4-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier is a great dog who walks well on a leash, according to CAPA, which is promoting her adoption.

You’ll find Winifred at the Animal Services shelter at 5473 Overpass Road, Goleta.

This month, adoption fees are waived at all Animal Services

shelters. To see all the available animals, go to countyofsb.org/ phd/animal/petsearch.sbc.

To learn more about CAPA, a nonprofit dedicated to the behavioral needs of the animals in the Lompoc Valley and its partnership with the Santa Barbara County Animal Services, go to www.facebook. com/capaofLompoc. Want to help but can’t adopt? Visit www.lompoccapa.org for the CAPA wish list, information on how to become a volunteer and donation opportunities.

— Dave Mason

Koda

One thing’s for sure. Koda loves to play and run around in the yard.

You’ll find this husky/shepherd mix running around at Santa Barbara Humane.

Because Koda is so energetic, he would do best in a highenergy home with plenty of room for him to run, according to Santa Barbara Humane.

To meet Koda, email adopt@ sbhumane.org.

Santa Barbara Humane is known for its high-quality, affordable medical care, dog training and adoptions through its two campuses in Santa Maria and Goleta.. Cat and kitten walkin adoption hours are noon to 4 p.m. Friday through Sundays. All other services are by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

To make an appointment, go to www.sbhumane.org or call 805964-4777.

— Dave Mason

Shelters seek homes for pets

Local animal shelters and their nonprofit partners are looking for homes for pets.

For more information, go to these websites:

• Animal Services-Lompoc, countyofsb.org/phd/animal/home. sbc.

• Animal Shelter Assistance Program in Goleta, asapcats.org.

ASAP is kitty corner to Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter in Goleta, bunssb.org.

BUNS is based at Santa Barbara County Animal Services.

• Companion Animal Placement

Assistance, lompoccapa.org and facebook.com/capaoflompoc.

CAPA works regularly with Animal Services-Lompoc.

• K-9 Placement & Assistance League, k-9pals.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 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

RADIO FOR HERE FROM HERE

SALE

Sale To Thank You!

We appreciate your patronage over the years and are looking forward to seeing you at our store with expanded offerings!

‘The Sacred Angel’ memorial to honor Jake Matthew Parks

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Jake Matthew Parks would have celebrated his 18th birthday Oct. 21 if tragedy had not taken his young life on May 14, only three weeks before he would have graduated from high school.

Jake died from a heat-related illness. A trail rescue was initiated, and Jake was taken to the hospital with a body-core temperature that reportedly may have reached as high as 110 degrees.

To celebrate his life, Judi Weisbart, artist, social activist and community leader, has created a memorial for Jake. It will place at 1 p.m. Friday at McDermott Crockett

Mortuary, 2020 Chapala St., Santa Barbara.

The art piece, an assemblage, stands six feet tall and is called “The Sacred Angel.” It is made from wood, metal and paint and includes ceramic signs honoring Jake and is a reminder of the love and loss experienced in a lifetime.

Despite their ongoing pain, his parents Todd and Jenni, his twin sister, Julia, and older brother, Jesse, have found a way to have something positive come out of the tragedy.

Abby Gaston and 16-year-old Girl Scouts from Troop 50886 took on a project to create a safer trail experience for all hikers. With the help of Ashlee Mayfield and the

Montecito Trails Foundation, signs are going up on the trails in the near future.

These signs will be placed at local front-country trailheads providing information about the causes, symptoms and required treatment for heat stroke and heat exhaustion as well as preparations to prevent those conditions while hiking.

Additional emergency boxes are being considered to be placed along the trails with reflective blankets, water and electrolyte packets with hopes that tragedies like Jake’s death can be prevented in the future.

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

Boy Scouts to honor Doug Scott and Bob Maloy

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

Local leaders Douglas Scott and Robert Maloy will be honored Thursday by the Los Padres Council of Boys Scout of America.

The council will honor them for their contributions to the health, education and safety of Santa Barbara County youth.

The fundraising event will take place at 6 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Club, 1105 Chapal St., Santa Barbara. Proceeds will go to Central Coast scouting and outdoor education programs for young people.

The event’s speaker will be Michael Brown, UC provost and executive vice president of academic affairs.

“Doug and Bob were selected because of their notable work on behalf of our council and

thousands of youth in need in the region,” said David Brown, president of Los Padres Council.

Mr. Scott will receive the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award for his efforts in promoting positive values in youth through scouting. Mr. Scott is a longtime resident of Santa Barbara, where he became an Eagle Scout. He is a principal at The Alison Co. and has been in commercial mortgage banking since 1983.

“This event raises funds to help eliminate financial roadblocks for youth who want to participate in scouting and outdoor education,” said Mr. Scott. “I’m honored to be associated with this worthwhile endeavor.”

For his contributions to character building and teaching leadership to local youth, Bob Maloy will receive the Los Padres Council’s Legacy Award.

He is a CPA with Bartlett,

Pringle & Wolf LLP in Santa Barbara, focusing on tax management and general business planning.

Growing up in the Santa Ynez Valley, Mr. Maloy remains active in the community, having served on many boards including the American Heart Association, the UCSB Economic Forecast Project and the Mission Canyon Association.

Mr. Maloy’s passion for cycling led him to develop the Trek Trails at Rancho Alegre, a local BSA camp operated by Los Padres Council. His two sons were both Boy Scouts; one earned his Eagle Scout award in 2018.

To register for Thursday’s event, go to www.lpcbsa.org or call 805-967-0105. Sponsorships and advertising opportunities are also available.

email: dmason@newspress.com

Life Line Screening coming to Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — Residents living in and around Santa Barbara can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening on Oct. 29 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 112 W. Cabrillo Blvd.

Pre-registration is required.

Free parking is available. Screenings can check for:

• The level of plaque buildup in the arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.

• HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.

• Diabetes risk.

• Kidney and thyroid function and more.

Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with individuals to create a package that is right for them based on their ages and risk factors. For more information, call 1-877-237-1287 or visit www. lifelinescreening.com.

— Marilyn McMahon

COURTESY PHOTOS

COURTESY PHOTOS

At left, an assemblage in Jake Matthew Parks’ honor stands six feet tall and is called “The Sacred Angel.” It was created by artist Judi Weisbart. At right, this is part of the memorial assemblage honoring Jake Matthew Parks.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Doug Scott

Robert Maloy Michael Brown

Diversions

Thought for Today

“Listen once in a while. It’s amazing what you can hear.”

— Russell Baker

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com Wednesday, October 19, 2022

ARIES — Your balancing powers will be put to the test today when your desire to fight conflicts with your need to plan, Aries. You might be even more indecisive than usual as a result of this internal tension. Be aware of time and the restrictions that it puts on you. Devise a plan that uses your energy in the most efficient way possible.

TAURUS — Try not to get too frustrated by the indecisiveness that plagues you today, Taurus.

The longer you stand still, the harder it will be to get moving. The key is to find a balance between planning and forcefulness. There’s an incredible need for you make progress now. If you’re met with resistance, you should probably just back off for now.

GEMINI — Indecisiveness could be your biggest nemesis today, Gemini. The general tone of the day is apt to be quite explosive as a feeling of restriction and discipline comes into conflict with a need to fight and conquer. You might find that your go-with-the-flow, easygoing attitude is exactly what saves you on a day like this.

CANCER — You might experience a bit of an internal conflict today and be you’re unsure how to proceed, Cancer.

One side feels an urge to fight, while another side - a more mental aspect - asks you to keep this urge under wraps. It could be that this conflict keeps you immobile because of your lack of confidence in either camp.

LEO — It may be hard to connect with others today, Leo. People may be rather indecisive. On the other hand, people are apt to be more malleable. This could be a good time to take charge. Be sure that you keep in mind the best interests of all parties involved.

VIRGO — You’ve had a strong propensity for war lately, Virgo. Your drive toward getting things done has rallied and you’re anxious to make progress. The problem is that you might have to hold back a bit today, since there is a great force at work encouraging to you to take a break from your current trajectory.

LIBRA — Your balancing powers will be put to the test

today when your desire to fight conflicts with your need to plan, Libra. You might be even more indecisive than usual as a result of this internal tension. Be aware of time and the restrictions that it puts on you. Devise a plan that uses your energy in the most efficient way possible.

SCORPIO — Try not to get too frustrated by the indecisiveness that plagues you today, Scorpio. The longer you stand still, the harder it will be to get moving. The key is to find a balance between planning and forcefulness. There’s an incredible need for you make progress now. If you’re met with resistance, you should probably just back off for now.

SAGITTARIUS —

Indecisiveness could be your biggest nemesis today, Sagittarius. The general tone of the day is apt to be quite explosive as a feeling of restriction and discipline comes into conflict with a need to fight and conquer. You might find that your go-with-the-flow, easygoing attitude is exactly what saves you on a day like this.

CAPRICORN — You might experience a bit of an internal conflict today and be you’re unsure how to proceed, Capricorn. One side feels an urge to fight, while another side - a more mental aspect - asks you to keep this urge under wraps. It could be that this conflict keeps you immobile because of your lack of confidence in either camp.

AQUARIUS — It may be hard to connect with others today, Aquarius. People may be rather indecisive. On the other hand, people are apt to be more malleable. This could be a good time to take charge. Be sure that you keep in mind the best interests of all parties involved. It isn’t fair for you to take advantage of people who can’t make up their own minds about something.

PISCES — You’ve had a strong propensity for war lately, Pisces. Your drive toward getting things done has rallied and you’re anxious to make progress. The problem is that you might have to hold back a bit today, since there is a great force at work encouraging to you to take a break from your current trajectory.

INSTRUCTIONS

SUDOKU

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 Sunday’s Life section.

CODEWORD PUZZLE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

PUZZLE

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.

DWHIT

AR DU CCSAUT NIOCCI

David

and Jeff Knurek

DEA: 36 million lethal doses of fentanyl removed from U.S. communities

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — As a result of law enforcement operations from May through September, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and law enforcement partners confiscated 36 million lethal doses of fentanyl, enough to kill 36 million Americans.

As part of the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill initiative, DEA agents and law enforcement partners in multiple states seized more than 10.2 million fentanyl pills and approximately 980 pounds of fentanyl powder.

Their operations took place between May 23 and Sept. 8. The operations saved the lives

EMERGENCY

Continued from Page A1

respond quickly to changes in infection rates during the pandemic.

Gov. Newsom announced in February that he would be lifting all but 5% of the COVID-19

of at least 36 million people who might otherwise have been subjected to the lethal doses, the DEA estimates. Also during the operation, law enforcement officers confiscated 338 weapons, including rifles, shotguns, pistols, and hand grenades.

Of the 390 cases investigated during this period, 51 cases were linked to overdose poisonings; 35 cases directly linked to one or both of the primary Mexican cartels responsible for the majority of fentanyl in the United States: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Last month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated both cartels

executive order provisions remaining, but opted to keep the emergency order in effect.

The governor has faced backlash from Republican lawmakers who have said the state of emergency lasting more than two years has given the governor too much authority.

Republican lawmakers in

as international terrorist organizations and called on President Joe Biden to do the same. He also launched a public awareness campaign about the dangers of illicit fentanyl.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and 17 other attorneys general have called on the Biden administration to classify illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

Both the DEA and Moody have been warning about Mexican cartels using social media and smart phone apps to target minors with “rainbow fentanyl” pills that look like candy but are deadly.

Rainbow fentanyl was first reported to DEA in February 2022 and has been seized in 21

both the state Senate and Assembly attempted to end Gov. Newsom’s emergency powers through separate resolutions in February, but the attempts failed to pass in both chambers of the Legislature.

“Here’s one good thing to come out of the governor’s ‘subzero’ interest in running for

states, the agency says.

As part of the DEA’s operation, 129 investigations were linked to social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and TikTok.

“Across the country, fentanyl is devastating families and communities, and we know that violent, criminal drug cartels bear responsibility for this crisis,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “The Justice Department, including the extraordinary professionals of the DEA, is working to disrupt and dismantle the operations of these cartels, remove deadly fentanyl from our communities, and save Americans’ lives.”

president,” Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, said in response to Gov. Newsom’s announcement on Monday.

Gov. Newsom’s office said that the governor plans to address “two statutory changes” when the Legislature resumes session in December — giving nurses the

“For the past year, confronting the fentanyl crisis has been the top priority for DEA. The most urgent threat to our communities, our kids, and our families are the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG who are mass producing and supplying the fentanyl that is poisoning and killing Americans,” DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said. “The Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG are ruthless, criminal organizations that use deception and treachery to drive addiction with complete disregard for human life. To save American lives, the DEA is relentlessly focused on defeating the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG by degrading their operations to make it impossible

continued ability to administer COVID-19 therapeutics and continuing to allow lab workers to solely process COVID-19 tests.

Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency, said in a statement Monday that the state has the tools to manage future “ups and downs” based on the

for them to do business.”

President Joe Biden and his administration haven’t classified fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction or designated the cartels as terrorist organizations.

The DEA says, “fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing” America. In 2021, 107,622 Americans died from drug poisoning or overdose; 66% of them were attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, the weight of a mosquito or the amount that can fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a lethal dose.

“infrastructure and processes we’ve invested in and built up.”

“While the threat of this virus is still real, our preparedness and collective work have helped turn this once crisis emergency into a manageable situation,” Dr. Ghaly said.

Madison Hirneisen covers California for The Center Square.

Furniture

Pets LEGAL AD DEADLINES

Publication Day:Sat.-Mon.

Due: Thursday 9 a.m.

Publication Day:Tuesday Due: Friday 9 a.m.

Publication Day:Wednesday Due: Monday 9 a.m.

Publication Day:Thursday Due: Tuesday 9 a.m.

Publication Day:Friday Due: Wednesday 9 a.m.

For additional information, please email legals@newspress.com or call (805) 564-5218.

NOV 2, 9 / 2022 -- 58756

RANDY GLICK