News in Brief: Mar. 22 to Apr. 11

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CAMPUS

David Miller, the Associated Students Assistant Publications Coordinator, passed away on March 20 in his home. Miller served in his role for the past five years and was regarded as a beloved member of the A.S. family. A YouCaring funding page has been set up to support Miller’s wife, Hana, and their two children. A.S. senators are planning to pass a resolution renaming A.S. Publications to “David Miller A.S. Publications.”

The A.S. Food Bank is undergoing renovation and expansion at their facility located on the third floor of the University Center. During this Spring Quarter construction period, the Food Bank is temporarily located on the second floor of the UCen in the space that was the former temporary location of the Faculty Club restaurant. There is no set date when the expansion of the third floor facility will be complete, but until that time the hours of operation for the Food Bank will remain the same — Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The UCSB Environmental Affairs Board will host two town hall meetings on Wednesday and Monday, featuring Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann and Congressman Salud Carbajal. Campus and Isla Vista community members are invited to join Hartmann in the MultiCultural Center Graduate Student Association lounge on Apr. 13 at 6 p.m. The second town hall is happening on Apr. 17 at 6 p.m. in Corwin Pavilion with Carbajal, the representative of California’s 24th congressional district. Both will be answering questions about relevant issues pertaining to residents of Santa Barbara County.

The MCC will be hosting the event “Imaginaries About Muslims: Before and After Trump” on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the MCC theater. The event involves an interdisciplinary discussion of the history, factors, and strategies for resistance against Islamophobia in light of anti-Muslim rhetoric and policy enacted by President Donald Trump, the event’s Facebook page states. UCSB professors Sherene Seikaly, Juan Campo, and Laila Sakr will discuss the role of Muslims in the U.S., the history of Islamophobia, and the virtual body politic. All are welcome to attend.

ISLA VISTA

Approximately 6,000 to 8,000 people attended Saturday’s Deltopia event in Isla Vista, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reported. Of the thousands of people, there were 68 citations, 42 arrests, and 14 medical transports. Attendance was higher than last year’s event, which included an estimated 3,500 attendees. However, this year’s statistics prove to be significantly lower than those of 2014, which showed over 20,000 attendees and 190 citations.

There were numerous Deltopia-related incidents occurring throughout the weekend, including the fall of a 22-year-old UCSB student from a balcony onto the beach located along the 6600 block of Del Playa Drive. After her fall at approximately 4:45 p.m., the student was transported to Cottage Hospital where she was treated for moderate injuries.

COUNTY

Humans and animals alike are reaping the benefits of the higher water levels in local streams and reservoirs. The Lake Cachuma reservoir is now half full after heavy winter rains, the Independent reported last Thursday. This is allowing deliveries to South Coast water agencies to take place for the first time in two years, although only 40 percent of “normal” deliveries are being taken over the next six months as managers brace themselves for more dry seasons. Additionally, the abundance of rain and water runoff is allowing the locally endangered Steelhead trout to swim upstream to spawn, Noozhawk reports. These fish were rarely seen during the six-year drought, but they are now able to take advantage of the extra water to complete their migration and reproductive stages.