For SunBuggy Fun Rentals owner Randy Jordan, when the Oceano Dunes reopened to vehicle traffic and campers on May 21, it meant his business could start renting out ATVs, dune buggies, and side-by-sides again. “I think it’s great, and I think you really know how much you’re going to miss something when you have to […]
Ride on: After being closed for more than a month the Oceano Dunes reopened to vehicles and camping
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County’s 5th District heads to a November runoff
For the first time in years, the race for 5th District Santa Barbara County supervisor will extend to the general election. Initial vote counts for the June 2 primary put Ricardo Valencia and Maribel Aguilera on the November ballot, with Cory Bantilan out of the running. Count totals released on June 8 show Valencia with […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc voters came up short at the polls for a special road repair tax
As much as people in town want the potholes fixed, Lompoc’s attempt to pass a special sales tax for road maintenance failed. It would’ve brought in roughly $3.75 million annually. In January, the City Council discussed putting a tax measure on the primary election ballot. The Sun reported that a half percent special sales tax […]
Posted inNews
Proposed Paul Nelson pool closure could be saved from Santa Maria budget cuts
Santa Maria is looking for a way to keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center open year-round next year, despite an initial budget proposal that would have closed it for six months from December to May. “Please be sure we are listening to the community’s feedback,” Mayor Alice Patino told a packed City Council chamber on […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: June 11, 2026
• With about a month left to officially certify the June 2 primary election results, state and federal incumbents led the races to represent northern Santa Barbara County. In the 24th Congressional District, which covers Santa Barbara County and parts of Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties, longtime liberal U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal led with […]
Posted inNews
A Central Coast photographer receives recognition from a national magazine’s photo contest
Trends have changed drastically since Amy Marlan posed for her high school senior portraits. She remembers wearing the same pearls and drape as the rest of the women in her class. The men put on the top half of a suit. Then, their family photographer took some shots of Marlan on a film camera, but […]
Posted inOpinion
Deficits and taxes
The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center’s potential six-month closure really got Santa Maria residents interested in what the city is doing with its budget! With 120 public comment letters submitted prior to the City Council’s discussion about the next two-year budget cycle on June 2, the city had no choice but to listen. The meeting was […]
Posted inOpinion
It will be another few weeks before we learn our next leaders, candidates for local, state, and federal races
As everyone who pays attention to California politics knows, elections are never resolved on Election Day. It’s always weeks and sometimes months before the final tally is complete. But initially, it appears that Democrats are satisfied with the pitiful condition of our state and county as they continue to support politicians who couldn’t care less […]
Posted inOpinion
Noise is pollution, too
The recent weeks of quiet, with no roar from dune buggies, brought forth a realization. Living 2 miles from the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, parts of Oceano and the Nipomo Mesa bear an undiscussed, invisible physical toll. When coastal wind carries engine roars into our yards and homes, it does more than disturb […]
Posted inOpinion
USS Arizona holds part of Arroyo Grande history
There was something terribly morbid and terribly wrong about the report of FBI Director Kash Patel’s VIP snorkeling dive on USS Arizona. It’s yet one more example of this administration’s casual indecency. I take it personally, and this is why. Two sailors who died on the Arizona were from my hometown, Arroyo Grande, population 1,090 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Giant puppets made in Lompoc are heading to World Cup watch parties in LA
Most people have never been the puppeteer inside a 12-foot-tall puppet, but Jennifer Racusin has. “You are completely surrounded by fabric, and you have this big, heavy wooden thing attached to you,” Racusin recounted. “You don’t feel like yourself at all because you’re hidden inside of this thing. … You kind of become whatever it […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Pops presents a patriotic tribute
Celebrate the Fourth of July a little early with the Lompoc Pops Orchestra’s recognition of America’s 250th birthday. The group’s performance on June 21 will honor those who have served the country through tributes to the nation’s Broadway, Hollywood, opera, and Americana traditions. “The program will feature familiar patriotic favorites, stirring selections, and a special […]
