Jackson Friedman

California Lawmakers' Safety Gets New Attention After Trump Shooting Measure Would Allow Candidates and Elected Officials to Use More Campaign Funds for Personal Security for Themselves, Family Members, and Staff A member of the Assembly's security detail on guard on the chamber's floor at the state Capitol in Sacramento on April 29, 2024. | Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters Former President Donald Trump evaded serious injury, or death, by mere centimeters after a bullet struck his upper right ear during a campaign rally Saturday in Pennsylvania. The Republican presidential candidate pumped his fist, his face bloodied, as Secret Service agents hustled him off the stage following the shooting. But one spectator was killed, two were critically injured and the Secret Service killed the suspected shooter, identified by the FBI as a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man Saturday's mayhem is the most recent known assassination attempt of a president or presidential candidate since the 1981 shooting of President Ronald Reagan , and renewed conversations about the country's deep partisan divide, gun safety and dangerous political rhetoric — especially violent threats toward officials and candidates. So it's no wonder that beefing up personal security has been a priority for some lawmakers. As explained earlier by CalMatters Capitol reporter Sameea Kamal , the Secretary of the Senate and chief administrative officer of the Assembly said that there has been heightened concern about political violence in recent years, and a bill is underway to protect California lawmakers and candidates from rampant threats The measure, Assembly Bill 2041 , would allow candidates and elected officials to use more campaign funds for personal security for themselves, family members and staff. Democratic Assemblymember Mia Bonta of Oakland is carrying the bill and said she hopes to “see it across the finish line for the safety of candidates across the state.” If passed, Bonta's measure could be enacted in time for the November election. Bonta , in a statement: “(Saturday's) events show that political violence continues to plague our democracy. … This bill has had bipartisan support because people on both sides of the aisle recognize the safety needs in this charged political climate.” Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose office did not immediately reply to a request for comment, vetoed similar legislation last year, saying that the bill did not clearly define “ security expenses .” Bonta's newest bill, however, has been amended to specify what's considered a security expense, as well as clarifies disclosure requirements for transparency. The bill sailed through the Assembly this year and is expected to be up for a floor vote in the Senate shortly after the Legislature returns from summer recess in August, according to Bonta's office. It has received no vote in opposition so far, though three Republican senators voted against last year's bill. During a March hearing in the Assembly's elections committee, Republican Assemblymember Tom Lackey of Palmdale raised concerns about the “ broad potential interpretation of security expenses .” California is no stranger to shootings tied to the Oval Office. In 1975, a member of the Manson family cult attempted to shoot President Gerald Ford near the state Capitol in Sacramento while Ford was en route to meet then-Gov. Jerry Brown. And in 1968, U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy died shortly after being shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles while running for the Democratic presidential nomination. And on Sunday, Newsom said he has deployed 61 Highway Patrol and police officers to assist local, state and federal law enforcement during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which kicks off today. “Public safety transcends party lines,” said Newsom in a statement. The plan to send these officers has been in the works since May. CA Leaders Condemn Attempt on Trump's Life California's elected leaders — Republicans and Democrats alike — quickly condemned the attempted assassination of Trump, the latest violent turn in current politics and a grim reminder of America's history of political killings Gov. Newsom promptly posted on social media that “violence has NO place in our democracy,” a reaction echoed by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Assembly GOP leader James Gallagher said in an initial statement that “we must completely shut down those who would use violence to snuff out their political opponents.” Sunday, he followed up with a post asserting that “calling Trump a modern day Hitler and making crazed assertions about the end of democracy has not been helpful to the chaos that we now find ourselves in.” In a statement, Senate Republican leader Brian Jones urged “Americans to take a step back and acknowledge the need for common ground, rather than seeing politics as a polarizing exercise.” And former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband Paul was struck in the head with a hammer by an assailant in their San Francisco home, posted on social media : “I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.” (Trump taunted the Pelosi family over that attack at a campaign event in California and elsewhere last year Saturday's chilling incident comes at a key point in the 2024 presidential race. Democrats have been divided over whether to rally behind Biden — or to find a way to push him off the 2024 ticket. Republicans, on the other hand, were already in lockstep behind Trump as they gather in Milwaukee to officially nominate him — and see him reveal his running mate. California is sending the biggest delegation to the convention — and thanks to the state GOP changing its rules for a winner-take-all primary in March, all 169 are pledged to Trump. It's only one sign of how firmly Trump controls the California party And while Biden — or any Democrat — is the odds-on favorite to secure California's 54 electoral votes in November (of the 270 needed to win), Republicans hope Trump's coattails and Biden's troubles, fueled by his weak performance in the June 27 debate, will help them add to the dozen congressional seats they now hold (compared to 40 for Democrats). “We resolve political differences at the ballot box, through activism and by participating in political discourse,” said California Secretary of State Shirley Weber in a statement. “There is absolutely no room for political violence.”

Highway 154 will reopen two lanes on Friday, July 19, with intermittent lane closures as emergency repair work continues. | Credit: Caltrans A second lane of San Marcos Pass is reopening — intermittently — to motorists on Friday, according to an announcement this Thursday from Caltrans, which also stated for the first time that it expects the road to be fully reopen by winter 2024. Highway 154 was closed between San Antonio Creek Road and Painted Cave Road after major cracks developed across the entirety of the highway on June 21 while Caltrans was repairing a slip-out, or landslide, beneath the road. On July 4, Caltrans reopened the lane farthest from the slide , installing a temporary traffic signal to control one-way reversing traffic. Following further repairs to the pavement cracking, Caltrans said it will be opening another lane to travelers by end of day Friday, July 19. Those taking the pass connecting Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley should plan on intermittent lane closures Monday-Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Friday between 9 a.m. and noon. During these lane closures, one-way reversing traffic control will be in place to allow Caltrans to continue ongoing slide repair work and pavement reconstruction. Until the $10 million project is complete this winter, a reduced speed zone will be in effect, and travelers should be aware of electronic message boards, flaggers, and all highway workers within the work zone. Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram/Threads at: @Caltrans_D5.

Bystanders attempted to revive the man, who was sideswiped by a passing vehicle on the southbound shoulder of the highway on Thursday.

Fillmore man Jose Regalado Jr., 30, was identified this week as the pedestrian fatally struck by an SUV on the side of Highway 101 on August 15. He is survived by his wife and two sons. | Credit: GoFundMe Officials have released more details surrounding the fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision on the shoulder of Highway 101 in Gaviota last Thursday , including the identity of the 30-year-old Fillmore man killed in the crash. The collision happened August 15 at around 12:35 p.m. when 76-year-old Solvang resident Timothy Bee was driving his 2021 Chevrolet Suburban southbound on Highway 101 near Las Varas Canyon Road, according to California Highway Patrol's incident report. “For reasons still under investigation,” the report states, Bee then veered his SUV into the right shoulder, striking a pedestrian attempting to enter his Ford 5350 parked on the side of the highway. “Bee immediately stopped his vehicle on the right shoulder, contacted 9-1-1, and awaited emergency personnel,” according to the report, but the victim was pronounced dead on the scene. According to the incident report, Bee was not arrested at the scene. After notifying the victim's next of kin, the Santa Barbara County Coroner's Bureau on Wednesday announced that the deceased was 30-year-old Jose Regalado Jr. from Fillmore. According to a GoFundMe set up for his family , Regalado “was a good man, a great husband, and an exceptional father” and leaves behind a wife and two young sons, ages 2 and 5. “Victor was the sole breadwinner of the family and his sudden death leaves not only emotional distress but financial uncertainty,” wrote Adelaida Garcia, the GoFundMe page's organizer. Garcia said the funds raised would be used “to help with burial expenses, support for their two kids, and any additional expenses they may incur during this difficult time.” As of press time, the GoFundMe had raised just over $7,700 of its $40,000 goal. CHP is actively investigating the crash and asks anyone with information to call (805) 770-4800.

Santa Barbara Police Arrest Mother for Allegedly Attempting to Smother Her Newborn Baby Woman to Be Held in County Jail Without Bail for Attempted Murder and Cruel and Unusual Punishment of Child Credit: Chalabala - stock.adobe.com A Santa Barbara woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smother her newborn baby in her apartment this weekend. Roommates discovered both the mother, 20-year-old Joseline Lopez-Hernandez, and her newborn baby unresponsive inside their apartment Sunday morning at a complex on the 1100 block of San Andres Street, according to Assistant Chief of Police Marylinda Arroyo. Santa Barbara City Police, City Fire, and AMR responded to the scene at 7:54 a.m. and transported the baby and Lopez-Hernandez to Cottage Hospital. Following life-saving measures, the baby regained a pulse and began breathing without assistance. During a follow-up investigation, detectives learned that Lopez-Hernandez had allegedly attempted to smother the baby. Assistant Chief Arroyo said that as of Tuesday evening, the mother was in the process of being booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for attempted homicide cruel and unusual punishment of a child and will be held without bail. A court date has not yet been scheduled.

A vegetation fire broke out Monday at around 11 a.m. in a rural area outside of Lompoc adjacent to Highway 1 and the 4000 block of Santa Rosa Road, according to Santa Barbara County Fire spokesperson Scott Safechuck. Access to the fire is limited, Safechuck said, and firefighters on the ground are attempting to get to the fire — named the Rosa Incident — from multiple points of entry. In the meantime, a total of four air tankers and two helicopters have been ordered to the fire, which air attack estimated at 15-20 acres as of 12:12 p.m.

Haskell's Beach | Credit: Glenn Beltz Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies arrested a 15-year-old male suspect for attempted murder after he allegedly shot two men in their early twenties after midnight on Sunday at Haskell's Beach in Goleta. Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at the beach near the Ritz-Carlton Bacara at approximately 12:51 a.m. on September 22, according to Sheriff's spokesperson Raquel Zick. When they arrived, deputies found the two victims with gunshots wounds; one victim had been shot once in the hip area, and the other victim in each leg. The victims were transported to a nearby hospital and are expected to survive. Deputies established a perimeter and began searching for the suspect, who they learned had reportedly flashed gang signs at the victims before shooting them. The deputies found the suspect at around 2:19 a.m. and took him into custody after he allegedly attempted to flee on foot, dropping a handgun in the process. The handgun was registered to an owner from out of the area and was not reported stolen, Zick said. The suspect was booked at the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall for two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a concealed firearm, gang enhancement, and enhancement for using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Zick explained that juveniles are not eligible for bail and the case will be forwarded to Juvenile Probation for adjudication. It does not appear that the suspect and the victims know each other, Zick said.

AirTag Helps Santa Barbara Police Nab Teen Suspect in Armed E-Bike Robbery Police Say Three Suspects Are in Custody After Group of Knife-Wielding Juveniles Stole Two E-Bikes from Pair of 15-Year-Olds Credit: Google Maps An AirTag tracking device helped Santa Barbara police nab one of three suspects arrested for their alleged involvement in an armed robbery that took place Saturday afternoon in a downtown parking lot, where two teens say a knife-wielding group of juveniles stole their e-bikes. In a statement released over the weekend, Santa Barbara Police say they received a 9-1-1 call shortly after 3:30 p.m. to report the armed robbery in the City Lot 10 parking lot off Ortega Street. According to police, the victims said they were riding their e-bikes at the top of the lot when they were approached by a group of six to eight juveniles who brandished a knife and robbed them of their bikes. “Several officers saturated the downtown corridor,” according to police, where they located two of the suspects riding one of the stolen e-bikes. Police say the suspects then ditched the bike and led police on a foot chase, knocking an elderly man to the ground during the pursuit. Officers detained the two suspects and located a knife on one of them. The man was treated for a minor abrasion by medics at the scene. Meanwhile, one of the victim's was able to provide police with the real-time whereabouts of the second stolen e-bike thanks to a location-tracking AirTag attached to the bike. That led police to the abandoned bike and the third subject, who was found nearby, positively identified as the suspect, and arrested. All three of the 15-year-old suspects were booked in Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of felony robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime, as well as misdemeanor elder abuse. Juveniles are not eligible for bail, and the case will be forwarded to Juvenile Probation for adjudication. This is not the first time an AirTag has helped Santa Barbara authorities apprehend a suspect. In August, a woman who suspected her mail was being stolen from her PO Box at the Los Alamos Post Office mailed herself a package containing an AirTag, which was stolen and subsequently used by sheriff's deputies to locate and arrest the two suspected thieves in Santa Maria. And in October 2023, UC Santa Barbara police located a bicycle stolen from campus and 17 others in a storage facility on upper State Street with the help of the tracking device.

Man in Custody, Two Injured Following Explosion at Santa Maria Courthouse Santa Maria Government Buildings Shut Down for Day After Suspect Reportedly Sets off Improvised Explosive Device in Courthouse Wednesday A man is in custody following an explosion at Santa Maria Superior Courthouse Wednesday morning that injured two people and shut down government buildings around the city. According to Santa Barbara County Sheriff's spokesperson Raquel Zick, the explosion was reported shortly after 8:40 a.m. and was the result of “an intentionally set improvised explosive device.” According to local media reports, witnesses described seeing a man walk into the building and throw a bag or backpack at security, who detained the suspect after the bag exploded. Zick said there were two reports of non-life-threatening injuries. The scene remained active as of 10:30 a.m. while authorities investigated the explosion, and Zick asked that the public avoid the area. The City of Santa Maria announced that due to the law enforcement investigation in the area, nearby Santa Maria City Hall, Finance Department, City Attorney's Office, Santa Maria Public Library, and Recreation and Parks Department would all be closed for the day. Governor Gavin Newsom said that his office and the Office of Emergency Services is “actively monitoring the explosion at the Santa Maria Courthouse and coordinating with law enforcement authorities.” The FBI is also responding.

Santa Barbara Police Department's SWAT and Crisis Negotation Response teams are responding to an apartment complex on the 500 block of North Salsipuedes Street where a man has been barricaded inside an apartment since Sunday night. Police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at the apartment at around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to Sergeant Ethan Ragsdale. During the initial investigation, the male suspect barricaded himself in the apartment and refused to surrender to police. Before the suspect barricaded himself in the apartment, the female victim was able to escape and is now safe. Police request that the public avoid the surrounding area as the isolated incident is still evolving and under investigation. However, there is currently no threat to surrounding residences and schools, police say.