Category: Government

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Making Progress

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Although we have not reduced our cases enough to move from the purple tier to red tier according to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy metrics, we are making significant progress. On August 31st, the county’s 7-day case rate was 9.0 per 100,000 population. Yesterday, the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health released our first official report card number as 8.3 cases per 100,000 population. We need to lower our 7-day average positive case number to 7 per 100,000 population to move to the red tier. If we remain vigilant and maintain this positive momentum, we will likely be able to move to the red tier by the end of September. See more about which sectors can operate in each tier.

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Port of Hueneme Dock Talk eNews – September 2020

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California Clean Air Day is October 7

TAKE THE PLEDGE! Join us in challenging yourself to create clean air in your community! The Clean Air Pledge allows individuals and organizations to commit to do our part to clear the air, through actions big and small. 
Take the Clean Air Day Pledge!

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 8 — National Preparedness Month — Make Your Plan Today

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National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our community continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September.

Make a plan today! Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect our area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
Visit readyventuracounty.org

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EDC Free Webinar Schedule

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The Economic Development Collaborative is proud to offer the following webinars at no-cost.
Space is limited. Register today!

SEPTEMBER EDC WEBINAR SCHEDULE

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Bilingual report — County of Ventura Launches Farmworker Household Assistance Program

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he Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 1 approved the program design of the Farmworker Household Assistance Program, providing up to $250,000 in county general funds to match private donations made through the Ventura County Community Foundation.

The program aims to provide farmworkers financial relief from the impacts of COVID-19. Farmworkers may apply for this funding assistance from September 1 at 5 p.m. through September 30, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. at www.vchsa.org/FHAP.

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Bilingual commentary — A September to Remember that Democracy is in Your Hands

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Never has a September been more important to American democracy than this year with the deadline approaching to fill out U.S. Census forms and to do everything possible to make sure your vote counts in during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 general election

During the next few weeks we will highlight the need for our reading audience to take action as these deadlines rapidly approach.

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County of Ventura Named #1 Digital County in the Nation by Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties

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This year’s first-place winners include:

? County of Ventura, Calif. (500,000 – 999,999 population category):
Ventura County made network upgrades to support its COVID-19 response on short notice. In addition, the county created partnerships to provide telemedicine to citizens, and the county’s Lean Six Sigma program and STEM for young women program have become county best practices.

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3 de septiembre de 2020 – Información del COVID-19

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Libro de estrategias del COVID-19 para el Día de Trabajo: No hay reuniones. Use mascarillas. Manténgase a 6 pies de distancia de los demás. El fin de semana festivo es un momento crucial para controlar el coronavirus.

Por lo general, que marca el último fin de semana del verano, el Dia del Trabajo es tradicionalmente un momento para barbacoas y reuniones come el ultimo “hurra” del verano. Los líderes del Departamento de Salud Pública están ofreciendo una combinación de aliento y advertencia.

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County of Ventura issues Special Report — 2019 Fatal Overdoses

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1,651 deaths were reported to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office during calendar year 2019. Jurisdiction was accepted for 826 of these deaths, requiring further investigation and certification. Postmortem examinations were performed on 585 cases. Of the cases investigated, 149 deaths were due to medications, alcohol and or illicit drugs.

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RISE received $15,000 grant from The Community Foundation Disaster Support Fund

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RISE San Luis Obispo has received a $15,000 grant from The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County Disaster Support Fund to help respond to the increased demand for services due to COVID-19.

The Disaster Support Fund is designed to provide support for those greatly affected by natural disasters in our community. Grants include funding for short-term housing and rental assistance, reimbursement of equipment, health and human services, and other long-term recovery needs.

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2020 Senior Expo of Santa Barbara Transitions to Flu Clinic for At-Risk Seniors

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Due to COVID-19 public gathering restrictions, the 2020 Senior Expo is canceling its traditional active aging fair for seniors and caregivers this fall. Instead, the Expo is collaborating with Santa Barbara County Public Health Department to provide free flu vaccines to low-income seniors at specific residential facilities and mobile home parks in South Santa Barbara County during the month of October. The flu vaccines will be provided by Sansum Clinic and administered by Santa Barbara County Public Health and Medical Reserve Corps nurses. Locations, dates, and times will be posted at SeniorExpoSB.com.

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 2

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There are 33 new cases today (19 (57.6%) of which have a lab collection from August 25th or earlier), 643 additional people tested, and 0 additional deaths. Current doubling time is 89.6 days

The State has changed the monitoring metrics to a tiered system. Learn more by clicking here. Additional information from the California Department of Public Health can be found by clicking here.

Your hard work is paying off! Thank you Ventura County. Please continue to wear a mask (your masks protects you and others), social distance and please only gather with members of your household. Let’s work together to fight the spread of COVID-19.

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Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Lots of Updates!

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At today’s Board of Supervisors hearing, we received an update on COVID-19. In the past two weeks, we have experienced an 18% decrease in active cases and a 31% decrease in hospitalizations. This is encouraging news, but further underscores the importance of each of us continuing to do our part (washing hands, social distancing, and wearing masks) so that we can reduce our case numbers and graduate to Tier 2 of the new State framework as outlined below.

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Oxnard Vagabond Inn Under Consideration for Project HomeKey Funding

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The Vagabond Inn property, located in Oxnard, is under consideration for Project HomeKey Funding. Governor Newsom announced in July that $600 million in funding would become available to cities and counties across California to buy housing for Californians experiencing homelessness who are at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19. The Oxnard hotel is the first hotel in the County to be considered for the funding.

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 1 — Voting Information

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, every voter will receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the November 3 Presidential General Election. Your ballot will be mailed to you on October 5 to promote safe voting at home. You do not need to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot.

Voters will not be assigned to a specific polling location. There will be 47 in-Person Voting Locations available throughout Ventura County open Saturday, October 31 through Election Day, November 3, for in person Voting Services and 33 secure ballot drop boxes open beginning October 6.

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Smart Tags Coming to Ventura County Animal Services

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Effective Tuesday, September 1, 2020, all new pet licenses purchased or renewed through Ventura County Animal Services will be powered by PetHub.  These state-of-the-art “Smart Tags” feature unique QR codes that, when scanned by a smartphone, displays contact information which the pet owner has specifically chosen to share.  Pet owners have full control over what information is provided to Good Samaritans who find their lost pet.

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Jackson Bill to Require Fire-Safe Building Passes Assembly

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As California battles devastating wildfires throughout the state, legislation by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara), to require fire-safe building passed the Assembly today. SB 182 puts in place standards and guidelines for building responsibly if and when building in very high fire risk areas. The bill will now go back to the Senate for a final concurrence vote before heading to the Governor.

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Jackson Bill to Ensure Civil Rights of College Students Involved in Sexual Harassment, Assault Allegations Passes Assembly

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Following Trump Administration Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s roll back of Title IX protections for student survivors of sexual assault on college campuses, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara), SB 493 to ensure California schools provide a transparent and fair process for all students involved in a sexual assault allegation, passed the State Assembly today. The bill will go back to the Senate for a final concurrence vote before heading to the Governor’s desk.

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Jackson Bill to Require Backup Power for Nursing Homes Passes Assembly

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As California faces another wildfire season, rolling blackouts, and potential public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara)’s Senate Bill 1207 to require California nursing homes to have backup power for at least 96 hours during an emergency passed the Assembly today. The bill goes back to the Senate for a final concurrence vote before heading to the Governor.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 Alert — State announces new blueprint for reducing COVID-19

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The State of California announced a new blueprint for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions and activities.

Learn more at: Blueprint for a Safer Economy Click Here
Learn more about County Monitoring Click Here

Salons, Barbershops and Malls are able to reopen for indoor services beginning Monday, August 31. These sectors must follow the state issued industry guidance.

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EDC Business Alert — Have you completed the 2020 Census?

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This decennial Census has significant impact on our business community. The Census not only determines local funding for schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, but it also allocates money for direct business resources. As a business owner, you can consult the Census data to understand where cities are expanding and strategize investing in your current business or opening a new location. We encourage you to check in with your employees, friends, and community to ensure everyone is counted.

The EDC believes in the importance of completing the 2020 Census to improve the economic vitality of the businesses we serve and the region we support.

Do your part today. Stand up and be counted!
For more information, please visit Ventura County Counts.

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 27 — Tu Voto Cuenta

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¡Vota de forma segura desde casa este noviembre!

Debido a la pandemia del COVID-19, por ley, cada votante recibirá una papeleta de votación por correo para las Elecciones Generales del 3 de noviembre. Su papeleta de votación será enviada por correo el 5 de octubre para promover el voto seguro desde casa. Usted no necesita solicitar una papeleta de votación para Votar Por Correo.

Los votantes no serán asignados a ningún centro de votación. Habrá 47 centros de votación disponibles en todo el Condado de Ventura que abrirán el sábado 31 de octubre hasta el Día de Las Elecciones, el martes, 3 de noviembre. Las 33 cajas de entrega estarán disponibles el 6 de octubre hasta el Día de las Elecciones.

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New VCOE Education Building Completed in Camarillo

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The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) on Aug. 24 marked the completion of the new the Mary E. Samples Education Services Center building in Camarillo. The 29,944-square-foot, two-story building at 5250 Adolfo Road was finished just over two years after construction began. The building is the new, permanent home of VCOE’s Triton Academy, which serves students with autism in 3rdthrough 12th grades. It also houses the administrative offices of VCOE’s Special Education Department and has space reserved for what could become a high-tech makerspace lab for middle school students throughout the County.

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Jackson Bill to Close Race and Gender Pay Gap Passes Assembly

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As women and people of color are being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and its economic challenges, legislation by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara) to address the race and gender-based pay gap passed off the Assembly floor today on a 42 to 8 vote. Senate Bill 973 now moves to the Senate for a final concurrence vote.

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Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — More on School Waivers and Rental Assistance Program

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At yesterday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, we received an update on COVID-19 and the school waiver process. It is of great importance that we ensure there is enough testing capacity to safely allow TK-6 schools to reopen. In order to reopen schools in an equitable fashion, I am determined to make sure that public schools have the same access to testing as private schools, which likely have more funds to contract with private testing companies. To that end, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is reserving two hours per day for school districts at each of our county testing sites and have determined that there is some capacity at the local state-sponsored testing sites as well. According to the graph below, our 14-day average case rate is below the state case rate and we continue to observe an overall decline. However, that does not mean we can abandon the precautions that have gotten us here. It is crucial that we continue the same hygiene practices, wearing face coverings, and limiting gathering with those not in our households so that we can continue to make progress.

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 25 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

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Week Day Drive Through Sites Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Ford Dealership, 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula

Weekend: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Walk In Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.

Pop Up Testing: In addition to the regular testing locations there will be pop up testing sites offered in the coming weeks. Learn more about the locations and times in the image below.

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Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 24 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

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Surgeon General Jerome Adams shares an important message for Americans: To slow the spread of coronavirus, each of us must continue to take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and our loved ones. By doing just a few simple things, we can make a big difference.

As Labor Day approaches, in a couple of weeks, please don’t make plans to gather with others. BBQ’s and parties are a usual tradition on holiday weekends but it’s important that we fight COVID together by not gathering.

These steps are challenging and inconvenient but they can make a big difference in bringing down our numbers and saving lives.Please only gather with members of your household. Please wear masks in public places and practice social distancing.
Together we can fight COVID-19.

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Guest commentary — Visions for America

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We all need to be prepared for a vicious political season ahead.  It’s starting to get serious. Two visions for America are beginning to take shape as they prepare to go toe to toe with one another.  This will be an epic battle for the destiny of the United States, culminating in the November presidential election. In like manner, the Civil War and subsequent world wars were also arduous struggles that forced us to reevaluate our values and objectives, our character as a nation.

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Guest commentary — The Latino Art Museum of Oxnard — Now is the Time

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So artistically and culturally, the questions are, where, how and with whom do we go from here Oxnard? In the past 10 years the city of Oxnard has lost the Children’s Gull Museum, the Carnegie Museum, and the Acuna Art Gallery & Cultural Center. For all intent and purposes the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (PAC) is on life support and probably won’t live past this year. Where do the creative, transformative artistic souls, hearts, and minds germinate, grow and prosper in this art and cultural wasteland that is Oxnard today?

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Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — APCD Air Quality Warning for Santa Barbara County

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The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Warning for Santa Barbara County. Smoke from wildfires burning throughout the state, including in Monterey County, are affecting local air quality, and conditions may continue over the next several days. Due to elevated temperatures and stagnant air conditions, we are also experiencing increased ozone levels in regions of the county.

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Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 20 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

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Week Day Drive Through Sites Monday through Friday 10 am to 7 pm
Moopark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
Ford Dealership, 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula
Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The site is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Walk In Monday Through Friday 9 am to 6 pm
Ventura County Fairgrounds,10 W. Harbor Blvd in Ventura, Enter Gate 2.

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EDC Business Alert- Important News Regarding Commercial Evictions

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In the last week we have received quite a few notices from businesses asking about protections around evictions. With the new information from the State of California that evictions can begin as early as September 1st, due to the repeal of the eviction moratorium, (Unlawful Retainer) we understand that landlords may now have a sense of urgency to collect back rent.

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Bilingual report — Ventura County Complete Count Committee to encourage Census participation with special Census caravan event

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The Ventura County Complete Count Committee will lead a Census Caravan on Saturday, August 22. The caravan, which will have the participation of organizations and groups such as the Ventura County Mobile Library, Child Development Resources, and the US Census Bureau, will begin its route in Thousand Oaks at 9:30am and will end in Simi Valley around 3:00pm. The goal for the caravan, which will make its way through most cities in the county, is to encourage participation by residents before the Census ends on September 30.

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Oxnard College Receives $1.2 Million to Serve Disadvantaged College Students

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Oxnard College has received a $1,265,160 grant over five years from the U.S. Department of Education to support its TRIO Student Support Services program. TRIO programs are especially important to Oxnard College because they support the large number of first-generation and low-income college students who require additional services to help them stay in school, graduate and transfer to four-year universities. Through the federal grant, the college will serve 140 students annually over five years.

Congressperson Julia Brownley’s office notified Oxnard College in early August that it had earned a perfect score on its application, beating out strong competition for the grant.

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Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 19 — Sign up for VC ALERT

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There are 54 new cases today (11 (20.4%) of which have a lab collection from August 12th or earlier), 626 additional people tested, and 1 additional death (65 year old male with comorbidity). Current doubling time is 85.7 days.

View today’s press conference at www.venturacountyrecovers.org.

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Ventura County Public Health Accepting School Waivers

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Ventura County Public Health has announced today that public and private elementary schools in Ventura County can submit school waiver applications to allow in-person instruction at their campuses. The waivers cover Tk through 6th grades.

In accordance with state guidelines, waivers may be granted “when requested by a local superintendent (or equivalent for charter or private schools), in consultation with labor, parent and community organizations. Local health officers must review local community epidemiological data, consider other public health interventions, and consult with the California Department of Public Health when considering a waiver request.”

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EDC Business Alert- SBA Disaster Loan for Property Damage Due to Civil Unrest Application Deadline is Sept. 16

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Businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters may apply for SBA federal disaster loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged property caused by the civil unrest that began May 26, 2020.

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