🌱 Parents Concerned Over Student Safety + UCSB Student Found Dead

Morning, neighbors! Rose Mendez here with your weekend edition of the Santa Barbara Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything that's fit to print about what's happening in the community.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Partly sunny. High: 69 Low: 56.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 72 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories in Santa Barbara today:

1. Parents of Catalino Elementary School students expressed their worries in response to two separate intruder incidents that occurred while classes were in session on Mar. 22 and Apr. 13. Several parents attended Tuesday's Carpinteria Unified School District board meeting to voice their worries about administrative openness and security processes, with one parent stating that if all safety measures were indeed adhered to during the intruder events, they would not have confidence in the systems in place. Another parent said that school shootings are happening more and more and that the protocols in place are not enough to protect children and staff. According to School Board President Jaime Diamond, new security cameras will be installed on campus, fewer gates will be unlocked, and other safety procedures have been modified. (Santa Barbara Edhat)
2. More than 30 lobster traps that had washed up on the beach from the storms of 2023 were removed on Apr. 22 by 23 volunteers from the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara. The lobster traps were found from Ledbetter Point to Mesa Lane. When abandoned traps such as these are carried by currents, they can entangle marine organisms, release microplastics, and pose safety hazards to vessels, stated Santa Barbara Channelkeeper. They can also be dangerous to wildlife and beachgoers when they wash up on the shore as debris. (KEYT)
3. According to an email sent to Santa Catalina residents, a University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) student died in the Santa Catalina freshman residence hall on Apr. 24. The UCSB Police Department initially responded to a 10:17 a.m. call about "an unconscious person initially and then updated as a person not breathing," according to a statement from UCPD Public Information Officer Dan Wilson. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office coroner deputies responded onsite and will conduct a coroner’s investigation and an autopsy to determine the cause of death, Wilson said. No timeline was given for the investigation and autopsy, and there were no signs of foul play and no danger to the health and safety of residents. (Daily Nexus)

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Today and tomorrow in Santa Barbara:

Friday, April 28

• Less Can Be More At Marcia Burtt Gallery (1:00 PM)
• Santa Barbara Fair And Expo At Earl Warren Showgrounds (4:00 PM)

Saturday, April 29

• All Hands On Deck: A Modern Day High-Seas Adventure To The Far Side Of The World At Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (4:30 PM)
• Macrame Plant Hanger Workshop At Pura Luna Women's Apothecary (1:00 PM)
• The Jungle Book At Lobero Theatre (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is this weekend, and you don't want to miss it! The festival starts at 11:00 a.m. and will be held in Alameda Park on Apr. 29–30. Connect and join in on conversations, and enjoy local food, beer and wine gardens, musical performances, and art contests. Admission is free for all ages. For more information, click here. (Santa Barbara)
• There's still time to enjoy Wine Week now through May 3, presented by Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy seven days of $10 glasses of wine at various top Santa Barbara County wineries and tasting rooms. Click here for more information. (Santa Barbara)
• Seeking employment? The Santa Barbara County Fire Department is currently accepting applications for a Public Safety Dispatch Manager in Santa Barbara, CA. For more information or to apply, visit here. (SBCFireInfo via Twitter)

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Featured events:

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

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! See you soon for your next update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!