AG: Block Safeway Parent $4B Dividend

Have Some Flap Jacks!

This week the Pet of the Week for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is Flap Jacks!

This one-year-old Belgian Malinois mix has been at SCCAS for about a month and is looking for his new best friend. When he first came to the Shelter as a stray, he was a bit nervous, but has blossomed with all of the TLC from staff and volunteers.

He loves to play but tends to bark at dogs before greeting, but once he has had a slow introduction, he has a great time and is in some fun play groups with Shelter buddies. Flap Jacks is working on his manners and life skills but is making amazing progress. At events he is lovely- has meet people out in public and been so sweet and relaxed.

Riding the car is also something that Flap Jacks is great at, and he tends to lay down and entertains himself while riding along. A home with another playful dog might be a great fit provided that the dogs meet at the Shelter first.

Flap Jacks should not live in a home with cats, and children should be older and respectful.

Come to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 1001 Rodriguez in Santa Cruz to meet Flap Jacks — an amazing dog looking for an amazing home!

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n •••

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter:

Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

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COMMUNITY NEWS

AG: Block Safeway $4 Billion Dividend

On Nov. 2, Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with the attorneys general of the District of Columbia and Illinois, asked the D.C. District Court to temporarily block Albertsons’ planned $4 billion payment of a special dividend to shareholders on Nov. 7, amid concerns the payment would dramatically hamper Albertsons’ ability to compete.

Albertsons, which owns the grocer Safeway, is seeking federal approval to merge with the grocer Kroger to compete with Walmart. Safeway has stores in Scotts Valley, Aptos and Soquel. Albertsons is owned by Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm specializing in distressed investing and based in New York City,

The complaint follows a letter sent to Albertsons and Kroger arguing that the planned payout is premature and would substantially deplete Albertsons’ cash flow as inflation drives up prices and an economic downturn appears imminent.

The attorneys general seek to delay the payout while regulatory review of the proposed merger is ongoing.

“Albertsons and Kroger are the second and third largest grocery chains in the U.S., with nearly 5,000 stores between them, including hundreds in California,” said Bonta. “As inflation drives up grocery prices, a decrease in competition has the potential to be devastating for hardworking California families and for those who work at these stores. This proposed merger is far from a done deal, makingAlbertsons’ decision to give away one-third of its market cap very concerning. I urge the court to delay this payout to allow for a thorough consideration of its impacts on Albertsons’ ability to compete while the proposed merger is under review.”

Albertsons and Kroger supply daily necessities to millions of people throughout the United States and employ more than 700,000 workers in communities across the country. The state attorneys general are dedicated to ensuring that the proposed merger of these grocery behemoths complies with federal and state antitrust law and does not result in higher prices for consumers or suppressed wages for workers. The federal Sherman Actforbids parties from entering into agreements that substantially lessen competition or unreasonably restrain trade.

Although Albertsons could attempt to borrow money to cover its operating expenses, that may become difficult in the face of an economic downturn, according to Bonta. Albertsons also lacks an investment grade rating, which means it would very likely pay a high interest rate if it were to obtain a loan. n

“Drive for Schools” from page 22

Local businesses donated more than 100 prizes worth more than $47,000.

“SLV High School and Music Boosters are thankful to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for sponsoring Drive for Schools,” said Melissa Harrell of San Lorenzo Valley High School. “We believe that every student should have access to music education and experiences, regardless of their ability to pay. The money raised this year will help fund our trip to New Orleans in the spring. This fundraiser allowed our students to offset the cost of their trip by selling tickets to friends and family.”

Drive for Schools runs for approximately 5 weeks every fall. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk covers the cost of the cash prizes and donates staff time to organize and run the fundraiser.

Tickets and posters are generously printed by Mission Printers. Hundreds of school volunteers coordinate their school’s ticket sales. n

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Visit https://beachboardwalk.com/drivefor-schools for a complete list of winners.