🌱 E-Bikes Stay + $1 M Shortfall + Microplastic Pollution Research

Hello, everybody! Today’s National Star Wars Day. Did you know that the phrase “may the fourth be with you” was coined in 1979, when Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister in Britain? Sylvia here with your Thursday edition of the Santa Barbara Patch newsletter filled with what's happening in town, including news on:

• 👮 Finding police department recruits.
• ⚠️ A deadly traffic collision on Marina Drive.
• 💰 A general fund shortfall.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌧️ But first, today's weather: Showers, mainly early. High: 61 Low: 50.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Santa Barbara

• Conserv Fuel at 150 South La Cumbre Road, $4.45
• Santa Barbara Gas & Propane at 303 West Carrillo St., $4.51
• Fuel Depot at 2299 Las Positas Road, $4.53

🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up? So far, 20% pick traveling, and 10% each select horseback riding, flying, ballroom dancing, crocheting, Mahjong, basket making, and fly-fishing. A new write-in – at 10% – is dog training and showing.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Santa Barbara:

1. Marina Drive proved fatal for a 45-year-old man riding his motorcycle earlier this week. California Highway Patrol officers responded to what was a collision with a Postal Service truck. The truck turned left onto Alisa Lane, when the collision happened in the 4200 Block of Marina Drive. Reportedly, “a witness thought the motorcycle was going at a high rate of speed.” (KEYT)
2. The BCycle E-bikes are staying for another three years! The City Council voted Tuesday to extend the current contract, and official are now ironing out the details. Reportedly, neighbors logged “one million miles of riding in the last two years.” It’s interesting to note that the program has proven successful despite thefts of 16 bikes so far. (KEYT)
3. Finance officials are worried about an impending $1 million shortfall in the city’s general fund. We learned earlier this week that this deficit is projected to grow to $4.8 million in 2025. Why is the city looking at these budget shortfalls? Blame it on decreases in collected sales, transient occupancy and cannabis taxes. “Our ongoing revenue growth is not enough to cover our ongoing expenditure growth as it relates to salary increases, pension costs, impacts of inflation, and our capital investment required to maintain our infrastructure.” You can find out more at the public workshops the city will host to explain the details. (Santa Barbara Independent)
4. It’s been challenging for the Santa Barbara Police Department to recruit officers or keep the ones it already has. Citing the “Santa Barbara Factor,” which refers to expensive housing in the city, Police Chief Kelly Gordon did advise the City Council that she’s “trying a variety of innovative methods” to generate interest. To this end, the Department has targeted women during recruitment events but has also been a presence at events. Will these efforts be enough to counteract Santa Maria’s competitive pay and signing bonuses? (Santa Barbara News-Press)
5. Santa Barbara will be on the cutting edge of microplastic pollution research. The city received $1.26 million grant funding for the project “Clean Streets, Clean Seas: Innovating Public Works to Intercept Microplastics in Urban Runoff.” The University of California Santa Barbara will be instrumental in assisting with the fieldwork and research on preventing and removing this trash from entering bodies of water. (City of Santa Barbara)

From our sponsor:

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📆 Today in Santa Barbara:

• Santa Barbara Eagles hosts a Pet Wellness Clinic (10 AM)
• Crafternoon attendees meet at The Well (2 PM)
• Come to the Love Your Neighbor Vigil at De La Guerra Plaza or online (5:30 PM)
• Childbirth Preparation Classes start at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (6:30 PM)
• Visit the Santa Barbara Bowl to see The Black Keys "Dropout Boogie Tour" (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "SBPD has an opening for the position of police records manager and also police network administrator." (Santa Barbara Police Department)
• "May kicks off Wildfire Awareness Month, and this week is Wildfire Preparedness Week. Is your home Wildfire Ready? Do you have a personal wildfire action plan?" (Santa Barbara Fire Department)
• "Did you know the city has one of the most diverse water supplies in the state? This helps make our community more resilient to droughts and natural disasters. We are fortunate to have nine sources of water. Learn more about them at http://SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WaterSources." (Save Water SB)
• "Let your voice be heard: Join our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) District Parent Advisory Committee meeting." (SB Unified)
• "Roar and Pour. It’s a wild wine tasting event (on May 6) where the animals stay out late and the Zoo is open, so guests can stroll and sip. For ages 21 and over only. Children of any age will not be admitted. Event held rain or shine." (Santa Barbara Zoo)

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Featured events:

• "Get Out of Town" this spring! (May 11)
• "Get Out of Town" this spring! (May 11)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all Saturday morning for another update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Santa Barbara Patch newsletter? Contact me at santabarbara@patch.com