San Ysidro Roundabout
Working together
Caltrans updates community on project’s progress - A2
Female chefs collaborate on menus during Women’s History Month - B1
Our 167th Year
RAIN TOTALS
Santa Barbara County Building
YESTERDAY.........................2.09” 0.00” SEASON TOTAL ...................28.01” 0.00” 749.56 CACHUMA LAKE LEVEL ....000.00
$2.00
S AT U R DAY, M A RC H 11, 2 0 2 3
Paul Flores sentenced for 1996 murder ‘Today, justice delayed is not justice denied,’ District Attorney David Dow says in statement By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Paul Flores has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Kristin Smart in 1996. The sentence was handed down today in the Monterey County Superior Court from Superior Court Judge Jennifer O’Keefe. Matthew Smart, Ms. Smart’s brother, was seen at the reading of the sentence alongside the rest of Ms. Smart’s family. He gave some words to reporters before the sentencing at the Salinas courtroom,
saying that Mr. Flores has been a “menace to society.” Ms. Smart was a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where Mr. Flores was also a student at the time. In May 1996, Ms. Smart left an off-campus party and was accompanied by Mr. Flores. Ms. Smart was never seen again. A missing persons report was filed three days later. An investigation commenced, and in 2002, Ms. Smart’s family declared her legally dead. Almost 20 years later, Paul Flores was named a prime suspect for the case and then arrested shortly there after.
In October 2022, Mr. Flores was found guilty of first-degree murder. Ruben Flores, Mr. Flores’ father, was also on trial, as an alleged accessory to the murder. Later, he was found not guilty. The publicity around this case has been intense, which as a result, the trials were moved at the request of the defense team to Monterey County, north of San Luis Obispo. After the sentencing, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow issued this statement: “Today, our criminal and victim justice system has finally delivered justice for Kristin Smart, for the Smart
family, and for our San Luis Obispo County community. We thank the Smart family and our community for the tremendous trust and patience they placed in the investigation and prosecution of this terrible crime. “We recognize the jury for their focused attention to the evidence and the Sheriff’s Office for their tireless effort in building this case,” District Attorney Dow said. “Today, justice delayed is not justice denied.” email: abahnsen@newspress.com
Paul Flores
COURTESY PHOTO
Rain slams SB County KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Visitors view orchids during the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show Friday at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Orchid show blooms again in Santa Barbara By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Flooding submerges the exhaust tips and part of the bumper of a parked car at the end of Anacapa Street and Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara.
Flood watch remains in place through today
As you enter the Earl Warren Showgrounds, the smells and sights of beautiful orchids take your breath away. This weekend, the 75th annual International Orchid Show is taking place once again in Santa Barbara at the showgrounds.
“It truly is something everyone should experience!” exclaimed local resident Margaret O’Callaghan. Since 1945, the orchid show has captivated audiences from around the globe. Santa Barbara has a unique climate that fosters the growth of these special flowers. Please see ORCHIDS on A6
FYI The 75th annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show takes place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Tickets are $20 for day passes and $30 for weekend passes. To purchase, visit sborchidshow.com.
By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Heavy rain made its return Thursday night and Friday in Santa Barbara County, causing flooding and other trouble for many residents. Flooding was seen Friday in communities such as Montecito and Santa Barbara. One example was the end of Anacapa Street and Cabrillo Boulevard, where part of a parked car’s bumper was submerged. According to Santa Barbara County’s Office of Emergency Management, there is a flood watch in place through today as the storm continues to roll through. If you are caught in an Please see WEATHER on A6
FYI To register for emergency alerts, see readysbc.org. There, you will receive emergency alerts via text, phone call and email. To file for assistance, register at www. disasterassistance.gov.
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A bicyclist lifts both legs up immediately to minimize further splashing on the boots and pants before rolling through a puddle at the intersection of Pardall Road and Embarcadero Del Mar Friday in Isla Vista.
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LOTTERY
i nsi d e Classified.............. A8 Life..................... B1-4 Obituaries............. A4
Visitors view orchid entries from the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara.
Sudoku................. B3 Business . ..........A5-6 Weather................ A4
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 14-15-28-29-43 Mega: 11
Friday’s DAILY 4: 9-0-0-1
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 9-20-59-60-63 Mega: 5
Friday’s FANTASY 5: 1-2-14-28-31
Friday’s DAILY DERBY: 01-12-07 Time: 1:47.74
Wednesay’s POWERBALL: 26-27-43-61-69 Meganumber: 4
Friday’s DAILY 3: 9-7-7 / Midday 9-5-0